The first thing that is worth noting about Age of Wonders: Planetfall is that it is taking away the fantasy setting the series is known for. Instead, we have something that feels like it is ripped right out of a sci-fi movie and that is awesome. At its heart, the game is still a 4X style of strategy game, but it is a game that is fun for fans of the series and newcomers alike.
How to Download Age of Wonders: Planetfall
You can download this title from GOG and from Steam. To start, click on the button below this review.
The Game Review
The setting of the game is really cool in that a huge governing body that has been keeping things inline through the galaxy has fallen. Now, six main factions have risen and want to show that they are the dominant force to be reckoned with. The sci-fi setting is really cool and Age of Wonders: Planetfall does feature a lengthy and interesting single-player campaign that has a really fun story.
I jumped straight into the campaign and was thoroughly impressed from beginning to end. This may sound crazy, but you could play just the campaign of this and still feel like you got value for money. It is perfectly paced and the focus on combat over other strategy game tropes makes things seem more dynamic, fast-paced and exciting.
The different variety when it comes to the factions is really cool. For example, you have the Assembly who use cyborg warriors for fighting and the Amazons who ride into battle on prehistoric beasts! I really do like the designs here and I think that they could be missing out if they do have a ton of merch to go with this game!
A typical game offers exactly what you would expect. You have many different units at your disposal (with each faction having their own types) and it is up to you what you do with them. Making buildings, planning attacks and looking after your units are all things you have to do. All this while thinking about the best strategy for attack.
I found the gameplay to be rather similar to the X-Com series. It is turn-based and you have different things you can do on your turn, but just going straight for the throat is not always the best option. Instead of just spamming one type of unit, the game has a kind of rock, paper, scissors thing going on with battles so you do have to think about what you use when you battle.
While at first glance, Age of Wonders: Planetfall may look like it is for hardcore gamers. However, I found it to be very accessible and had no trouble getting to grips with the game. It does not require as much “micromanaging” when you are on the battlefield and this is something I like. On the flip side of this, hardcore strategy game players might find it a tad simplistic.
The campaign well and truly got its hooks into me, but there are plenty of other things to do. There is a random map generator which is great for jumping in and having a quick battle. There is a skirmish mode which is handy if you want to try out new strategies and you also have a nice choice when it comes to the multiplayer aspect of the game.
I was very happy with Age of Wonders: Planetfall. The more straightforward and combat-heavy approach is something that really clicked with me. I feel that if you have always wanted to get into these types of games, but have been put off by all the micromanaging. This very well could be the game to get you into the genre.
