You should know of the Age of Wonders franchise; an award-winning fantasy strategy series that has allowed gamers to live out some wonderful experiences. But it’s the next game in that series which is of interest here, as Age of Wonders 4 is revealed to the world.
From the Paradox Interactive publishing team (they previously behind the likes of Cities: Skylines, Crusader Kings III and Stellaris) comes the unveiling of a new game from Triumph Studios: Age of Wonders 4. This is the first sequel in nine years, as the award-winning Age of Wonders fantasy strategy game series looks to bring forth all-new levels of customization and replayability to the games’ iconic empire-building, role-playing, and best-in-class tactical combat.
And if that makes you excited, then settle down, as it won’t be long before you get to play it – Age of Wonders 4 will launch on May 2nd 2023 for Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5 and PC.
“For 25 years now, Triumph has been exploring new places to take our original fantasy strategy series, and the fans who have taken the journey with us have made it a rewarding endeavour,” said Lennart Sas, Co-founder of Triumph Studios and Director of Age of Wonders 4. “Even after all this time, we’re still adding amazing new ideas to Age of Wonders, and whether you’ve been playing since the beginning or ready to visit our worlds for the first time, you’re about to experience something special.”
So what should you expect from Age of Wonders 4? Well, the chance to rule a fantasy realm of your very own will be front and centre, as you look to blend strategy, role-playing, and turn-based combat as one.
See, it’s a game that focuses on how powerful Wizard Kings have returned to the realms to reign as gods among mortals, and it’ll therefore be up to you – as the player – to rise to challenge their rule using Tomes of Magic to unleash arcane destruction and evolve their armies, gaining new abilities and forms.
As you’d expect to hear for a series that has built up to this moment in time, there are all-new options to take in too, and for the first time in the series, players can create their own custom factions, and leave their mark on countless worlds through each choice they make.
The key features of Age of Wonders 4 will include:
- Create the Empire of Your Wildest Fantasies: Craft your followers by combining bodily forms, societal traits, and arcane powers. Build anything from a clan of cannibal halflings to mystic moon elves, or recreate your favourite fantasy tropes. Seek powerful tomes of magic to enchant your armies and see your people physically change as they morph into angelic beings or scions of chaos to face their enemies.
- Strategy Meets Role-Playing Like Never Before: Every choice opens up new possibilities and tactical advantages; deep, multilayered strategy allows you to try new tactics or explore new powers at every turn. Tactical turn-based battles bring your armies to life, from skirmishes with roaming monsters to vast sieges with many units on each side!
- Write Your Own Legend: A new event system provides unexpected levels of storytelling for 4X games. See your decisions shape the world around you as you seek glory through brutal domination, cunning alliances, or ultimate arcane knowledge. Your own creations may even appear as potential rivals or allies in subsequent games, as you experience the next chapter in your own story!
- Make Your Mark on a Vast, Reactive World: Explore a new realm in each session – or create your own! Challenge new variations and combinations of locations and features, from frozen wastelands ruled by ice queens to desolated ruins where dragons roam. With a tremendous variety of empires, units, and environments to keep the game endlessly replayable, Age of Wonders is more open-ended – and mod-friendly – than ever before in the series’ history.
We’d urge you to witness the dawn of a new Age of Wonders by taking in the Age of Wonders 4 announcement trailer below. From there, wishlist it if you like by hitting up the Steam page for PC. Otherwise, sit back and hold tight as that Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5 and PC launch occurs come May 2nd 2023.
