Age of Wonders: Shadow Magic PC
Metascore
82 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 22 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 22
  3. Negative: 0 out of 22
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  1. Game Chronicles
    93
    With its highly varied gameplay, mesmerizing atmosphere, gorgeous soundtrack and overall polish, Age of Wonders: Shadow Magic is a hypnotizing game so absorbing that it made the world around me dissolve away.
  2. PC Gamer
    92
    SM's grandest new feature is its random map generator. It works, it's terrific, and as much as I wish I could grouse about it so I don't come off as a fanboy, I can't. [Oct 2003, p.100]
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  3. Gamezilla!
    91
    Probably the pinnacle of turn-based strategy titles to date.
  4. ActionTrip
    90
    The amount of additional features, characters, and units, is so impressive we don't have the space to get into the details. Suffice it to say, Age of Wonders: Shadow Magic displays a commendable variety of content that brought the franchise to new heights and effectively improved upon the excellent gameplay of the previous title.
  5. Yahoo! Games
    90
    A perfect place to jump into the Age of Wonders series. It's "Age of Wonders II," only sporting a few refinements and a lot of extra content.
  6. Computer Gaming World
    90
    The largest maps, which have three different levels of land, can provide dozens of hours of gameplay. [Nov 2003, p.128]
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  7. Gamer's Pulse
    88
    Despite the recycled graphics engine and undulating difficulty, Shadow Magic offers outstanding gameplay with unlimited playability in a variety of gameplay modes.
  8. Gamers' Temple
    88
    Shadow Magic carries on the Age of Wonders series' tradition of fine turn-based strategy gameplay, and the changes introduced by the game should please both Age of Wonders veterans and gamers new to the series.
  9. GameSpot
    87
    Does a great job of improving on its predecessor's shortcomings and offering deeper, more-balanced gameplay.

User Reviews

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User Score
9.0 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 32 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 14
  3. Negative: 0 out of 14
  1. ChristopherD.
    10
    It is a excellent addition to the Age of Wonders series. Although the actual maps aready generated are not condusive of LAN or multiplay the random Map Generator more than makes up for it. The new races are an excellent addition to the already large selection. The new spells are a must and the graphics haven't let us down. overall I was well impressed with this thrid part imstallment to a excellent gaming series.… Full Review »
  2. BrianW.
    10
    The articles up at the top got it right. Something I didn't see mentioned that needs to be there is the awesome editor and modding capabilities of this beautiful engine. The community has made scores of maps that rival the developers' maps, and some so heavily modded as to represent the entire Lord of the Rings cast of characters and creatures. On top of that, I have yet to see a strategy game with graphics even close to this one. HoMM4, Civ3, you name it, is buried next to this title as strategy behemoth.… Full Review »
  3. KanaK.
    10
    Very well done game in EVERY aspect! Music, sounds, graphics, (aren't top notch but they don't have to be!) gameplay and every bug they found is squished! A perfect addition to any Strategy game fan! (it's also pretty newbie friendly. So it's easy to get in the game, but it's not easy to get good!)… Full Review »
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