Dawn of Discovery

 Wii
  • Publisher: Ubisoft
  • Release Date: Jun 23, 2009
  • Also On: PC
Dawn of Discovery Image
Metascore
81

Generally favorable reviews - based on 24 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 20 Ratings

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  • Summary: (Also known as "Anno 1404: Dawn of Discovery" and "Anno: Create a New World") Dawn of Discovery takes place in the year 1404, when King George's land is suffering from severe droughts and brutal famine. Aware of his people's distress, the king calls on his two sons, William and Edward, to(Also known as "Anno 1404: Dawn of Discovery" and "Anno: Create a New World") Dawn of Discovery takes place in the year 1404, when King George's land is suffering from severe droughts and brutal famine. Aware of his people's distress, the king calls on his two sons, William and Edward, to acquire new territories in order to produce enough goods to satisfy the needs of his empire’s inhabitants. Whereas Edward suggests aggressive means to collect the precious resources, his brother William offers a peaceful solution, proposing to explore new and unsettled lands in the south of the kingdom. With his Father’s blessing, William heads south to the mysterious Orient and returns with valuable new technologies such as the water pump that allows dry lands to be cultivated in order to produce enough food for the people. But there are still many unmet needs within the king's empire, and players are tasked with the mission of fulfilling those needs while both expanding and sustaining the vast society. Build and sustain your own expansive empire. Explore the beautifully detailed world and discover new places to create your civilization. Set up trade posts in the spice mines of the Orient and explore new trade routes to keep your nation growing. Learn from other nearby cultures to expand your horizons and master the challenges of establishing a prosperous society. [Ubisoft]… Expand
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 23 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 24
  3. Negative: 0 out of 24
  1. GamingXP
    90
    The only negative thing to say about this game is that there’s no multiplayer mode. Apart from that I’m sure that you will spend a lot of hours playing this title.
  2. Worth Playing
    85
    Aside from those minor quibbles, I really enjoyed Dawn of Discovery, but keep in mind that if you're not already a fan of real-time strategy games, this game might not be the one to suck you in, especially not on a console. It's certainly well-adapted, but the difficulty curve is pretty high, and I'm not sure that people will have the patience to go through the tutorial that's masked as a story mode. However, if you're willing to stick it out, there's a ton of depth here that can keep you busy for hours on end, and it's a great value at $30.
  3. Games Master UK
    84
    A universally enjoyable game. [Aug 2009, p.84]
    All this publication's reviews
  4. Everyeye.it
    80
    Finally, a deep and complex strategical experience on our consoles. Control scheme is perfect, and Dawn of Discovery shows a great variety and a nice look.
  5. Metro GameCentral
    80
    Perfectly judged adaptation of the PC series, with just the right level of complexity and challenge.
  6. GameSpot
    80
    This game of exploration and city building hits the occasional rough patch, but it's a captivating adventure nonetheless.
  7. Eurogamer
    70
    Mostly, this is a relaxing Sunday-afternoon game, and good at either accompanying the digestion of a roast dinner or the slow exorcism of a hangover.

See all 24 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 6
  3. Negative: 0 out of 6
  1. iplaywiigames
    Jul 30, 2013
    10
    Finally, I found a Wii game that I love! I'm an adult and I haven't yet played through all the features this game has to offer, especiallyFinally, I found a Wii game that I love! I'm an adult and I haven't yet played through all the features this game has to offer, especially outside of the story mode, but just from my initial week's experience of playing this game for hours in the evening at a time, so far this game is such a keeper! Definitely more for adults and teens than young children, as reading and thinking is required. This game is cool because the cut scenes do not get in the way of overall game play. You can skip, or actually sit back and enjoy them as you're doing tasks. I also love this game is not mini-game oriented. You feel like you play in a big overall quest, and complete objectives to get to something greater. Graphics are cute, and not overwhelming, but not cheap either. Music is excellent!!! Best I've ever heard from any Wii game I've played so far. Why? You hear good woodwind instruments in upbeat catchy tunes. How often does that happen anymore? I rest my case on that, but anyway the voice acting is also quite good and makes you become more compelled to the otherwise silly characters. I love that this game is not gore-filled and violent. It is not a non-violent game, but it does a good job to keep it mild. And overall, the game has lots of content that keeps you wanting to play. You don't start with ships right away, but you get them eventually, and even battle ones you can put soldiers on! It takes quite some time to learn how the wii controls work for an army or in steering your ships clear of the enemies. You definitely need to have a well working wii remote in order to enjoy this game. But, I am very impressed! It's sort of like a Sim City game where the goal is to raise a strong population, and the discovery element is when you unlock parts on a map to get to new places. I don't think the name of this game is quite appropriate and does right justice for it. You discover things as you go along in this game, but overall, especially in story mode, you do a lot of defending and saving. Please help the people from starving, from being attacked, etc. Maybe Save the Village would be a more accurate, although probably less marketable name. I would say it has enough content worthy of a $20 purchase, however, I was lucky and found it at my local store for quite a bargain!… Expand
  2. PaulA
    Aug 18, 2009
    10
    This game is a profound and fun challenge. With over 50 hours of game time over the past 3 weeks, I see no end in sight. And believe it or This game is a profound and fun challenge. With over 50 hours of game time over the past 3 weeks, I see no end in sight. And believe it or not . .I am still in story mode!! Yes, I liek to take my time. Every time you think you have the game under control, there is a surprise right around the corner that will keep you active and thinking for horus and hours. I would be surprised to learn of anyone who can play this game for only 2 hours. The time simply warps as 5 hours can seem like 45 minutes. The complexities and timing of this game are simply incredible!… Expand
  4. RavenX301
    Jun 30, 2009
    9
    This is a great hidden gem. It is certainly not as grand as its wonderful PC counterpart, but it still offers a great challenge and great This is a great hidden gem. It is certainly not as grand as its wonderful PC counterpart, but it still offers a great challenge and great fun. At first it may seem a bit too small, especially if you have played any of the PC versions, but as the game wears on it becomes extremely addictive and fun. I have actually found myself leaving Prototype and Infamous in favor of this game. Plus the price point is fantastic for probably the best surprise on any system in a long, long time. However I would not recommend it for kids or anyone or does not enjoy Settlers or the Civ series.… Expand
  5. SS
    Aug 30, 2009
    9
    This game is a lot of fun. The tutorial mode is very long and thorough. But once you get past that, it's a lot of fun.
  6. NorwayGamer
    Mar 9, 2020
    9
    Such a fantastic hidden gem for the Wii. it definitely went under my radar for years, even though I really like these Ubisoft strategy games.Such a fantastic hidden gem for the Wii. it definitely went under my radar for years, even though I really like these Ubisoft strategy games.

    You can either follow the story - which also cleverly serves as the game's tutorial, or you can just create your own little adventure, and there are several customizable options to choose from: if you want natural disasters to occur on your island or not, how much money & resources you want to start with, how advanced you want your civilization to get, etc..

    The graphics are colorful, the music is exhilarating, and it's just a really fun experience to create your own little society on these small islands. Recommended!    … Expand
  7. TimA
    Sep 12, 2009
    9
    First strategy game I've played on a console - that is excellent. Controls are great on the Wii.

Awards & Rankings

17
#17 Best Wii Game of 2009
63
#63 Most Discussed Wii Game of 2009
60
#60 Most Shared Wii Game of 2009