Age of Wonders: Planetfall Reviews
Alas, if you're coming to Age of Wonders: Planetfall for a brand new angle on games you've played before, then you've come to the wrong place. It's novel to see several different recognizable mechanics blended into one genre soup. The final product isn't better than the sum of its parts, though. It makes the 4X a faster game to play, but not a better one, ultimately.
It has a bevy of minor issues, however, like a cumbersome UI and stilted animations, and its lack of tactical depth on the battle map leaves it feeling like a game from a decade ago. But if you are looking for a 4X game to get lost in, with interesting lore and diverse factions, Planetfall will feel familiar and scratch an itch that isn’t often catered to.
It is deep, fun and has extremely high replay value. It's disappointing that the multiplayer has a couple of hiccups but the AI is solid and provides a good challenge with plenty of entertainment. Whether you're playing a custom scenario or the campaign, you are in for a good time. Planetfall may end up being my personal game of the year and I can't recommend it enough. Especially for console players who rarely get these type of games. If you like strategy or grid-based tactics, buy it immediately, you won't regret it.
Having a sci-fi Age of Wonders is enough to blow you away. The team did an amazing job getting a fresh feel on an already amazing game. Fans of Age of Wonders, this is a must buy. If you are at least bit curious, take my recommendation and snag this, or wait for a sale.
Best way to explain Age of Wonders: Planetfall, the combination of Risk and Chess, two strategy board games in one. From above, RULE the empire and move your army. On the ground, engage in battles and control your units to kill the enemy or CONQUER a colony. This is a knowledge and thinking game, your gaming reflex and trained muscle memory means nothing here and will barely be used. There is an entire universe of information to LEARN, progression is slow and rewarding to those who have fun learning. Matches are LONG, 25 hours of gameplay covered only the tutorial session, 2 PVE quests and the beginning of a PVP match.
...offers new and seasoned players a vast universe full of challenges to sink their teeth into.
Competent strategy pastes flat-footed, surface-level sci-fi over a genre that lives and dies by its nuance.
Don’t make the mistake I nearly made and disregard it: if you enjoy the tactical and strategic game styles it draws from, you’ll find a game that doesn’t go out of its way to innovate on either front, but one that performs a bloody lovely duet.