Age of Wonders: Shadow Magic

1. KanaK.

   Sep 25, 2003

   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 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!)… Expand

   • 3 of 3 users found this helpful
2. RedKey

   Jan 3, 2013

   10

   This game and the original Age of Wonders are still my favorite fantasy strategy games even though it has been almost 10 years since ShadowThis game and the original Age of Wonders are still my favorite fantasy strategy games even though it has been almost 10 years since Shadow Magic came out. The variety of races, units, and spells gives the game near infinite replay value. This game has just the right blend of combat, exploration, research, and RPG elements. City management and diplomacy are quite simple but I prefer it that way. There are also many user created mods and scenarios that enhance the game.… Expand

   • 1 of 2 users found this helpful
4. weaselfeet

   Oct 25, 2011

   10

   I bought this game at launch and 8yrs later it is still played by the whole family for at least a couple of months each year. We keep goingI bought this game at launch and 8yrs later it is still played by the whole family for at least a couple of months each year. We keep going back to it and have a great time when we do. It's well balanced in the main with only a couple of exceptions and these can be countered with a thoughtfully built stack of units.
   The AI is competent, on the medium settings it can be quite challenging in the early to mid game and on the harder settings it can crush you if you allow war on more than one front. There is a great variety of playable racesunits and magic specialisation, this combined with the wealth of community made maps and the excellent map generator offer infinite re playability.
   This is without doubt the best successor to Master of Magic and a "must have" for any strategy gamer from the more casual through to total grognards.… Expand

   • 2 of 2 users found this helpful
5. AlK.

   Oct 1, 2005

   9

   Pinpoint graphics to the point where I can see all the individual hairs on an orc's head aren't necessary to have a good game. Pinpoint graphics to the point where I can see all the individual hairs on an orc's head aren't necessary to have a good game. Awesome units, magic, and brilliant strategy based maps are what keeps my mind coming back for more.… Expand

   • 0 of 0 users found this helpful
6. CannibalBob

   Oct 21, 2008

   9

   I LOVE this game. The amount of detail put in is astounding, both on the global and combat level. Leveling characters and looting is alsoI LOVE this game. The amount of detail put in is astounding, both on the global and combat level. Leveling characters and looting is also fun on its own. The graphics have very nice effects but sadly are not aging very well. Higher resolution sprites would most likely solve the problem. AOWSM also has a surprisingly active community.
   
   The game has a few flaws, such as AI being... not very smart, as well as a few bugs (movement bugs, some mouse-wheel scroll bugs etc). The flaws are pretty minor, though, as the good things in the game far outweigh the bad.… Expand

   • 1 of 1 users found this helpful
7. overfiend87

   Aug 7, 2013

   9

   Anyone who likes strategy games will love this game. There is also a interesting story involving strang and terrorfying shadow-creatures fromAnyone who likes strategy games will love this game. There is also a interesting story involving strang and terrorfying shadow-creatures from a evil realm. the gameplay is great and I love turn-based strategt games like this and if you like the sound of this you should get it … Expand

   • 0 of 0 users found this helpful
8. Voyou

   Sep 5, 2016

   5

   Don't expect a review of the multiplayer options, the editor or the mods. I don't have time for these. I'm happy enough when I find time forDon't expect a review of the multiplayer options, the editor or the mods. I don't have time for these. I'm happy enough when I find time for playing solo. Anyway, I did notice that the game offers plenty of these options, which is a good thing if they work (you'll check that in other reviews.)
   
   This addition to the genre has many more features than its competitors of the day. Too many if you ask me, as it becomes perhaps overcomplicated, but what is of little interest to me is a turn on for others. In fact, in general, I like the features. It's the interface to use them that I find improperly adapted, tabs cluttered with hard to read texts and numbers, a microscopic, useless minimap, unintuitive series of clicks, and so on. Another issue of mine is that the game is very battle oriented, to the detriment of exploration.
   
   But let's face it: the real problem is that the graphics, as pretty as they might be, are an unclear mess when it comes to actual play. Half the time I can't see enemy units, often not even mine. I can't see bonus trees and magic bushes. I'm never sure on which hexagon I'm standing. Possibly the most annoying is that I never know if I'm going to click on my wizard or on the city. In fact I never know who is defending a city, as there is no clean garrisoning system and cities are where I lose sight of my units the most. The button for cycling is not that great a solution. I know, it doesn't help that I play in short sessions separated by weeks.
   
   As for the music, I turn off the annoyance, like in 90% of games. I don't lower the rating for this (I give a point when a music compels me to keep it on.) I mention it because, with the music off, I notice that the sound effects are mediocre at best. As mediocre as the animations.
   
   Still a decent title for strategy buffs, but I believe it requires a strong investment and long sessions.… Expand

   • 0 of 2 users found this helpful

See all 17 User Reviews