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Nice graphics but this game is a step backward

2 Rating: 2, Useful: 0 / 8
Date: January 12, 2007
Author: Amazon User

This game has spectatular graphics, but every other aspect of the game falls short. The gameplay takes FOREVER. It is turn-based but the incremental change in cities and hero levels changes extremely slowly. High level units cost a fortune and take several turns to be created. The economy is horrid. The only way to gain gold is via cities. No gold is given for kills. One of the biggest disappointments is that your main character is confined to your main city. The character's powers are amplified by the character's wizard tower. You cannot cast spells in battle if you are not with your hero or not at your tower.

Great entertainment!

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 3 / 27
Date: August 11, 2003
Author: Amazon User

This game is great. I loved Age of Wonders II and Age of Wonders Shadow Magic is even better.

Very similiar to Master of Magic or the Heroes of Might and Magic series. But much better. The graphic is great, the sound is very good and the gameplay simply addictitve.

A lot of strategy and fantasy, fighting and magic, creatures and heroes ...

A lot of fun ...

Impressive

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 4
Date: May 25, 2004
Author: Amazon User

This game has to be one of the best games I have ever played. It's a good thing it came out after I graduated from college or else I would have missed even those few class sessions that I attented. Bottom line, if you haven't gotten it by now, DON'T WASTE ANOTHER MINUTE!

Doesn't capture what made the original good

2 Rating: 2, Useful: 4 / 11
Date: April 29, 2004
Author: Amazon User

I loved the original Age of Wonders. I stayed away from the second game in the series (Wizard's Throne) when the focus shifted from armies to characters (your "wizard"), and the need to stay within a certain distance from your home base to be able to use magic. This, the third game in the series, continued along that vein, but I gave it a shot, mainly for the random map generator, which was absent in the first two games. I should have stayed away from this one too. The graphics aren't even as good as the first game, the pace seems much slower, just dragging along, and the scenarios I played (and the quests I got within them) weren't really explained very well, so it wasn't clear how to go about beating them. Finally, the part of the manual giving descriptions of the races and all their units was not included, at least not in the manual. They were on the cd itself, but it was a long pdf file (just under 100 pages if I remember), and not too many people are going to want to print all that out.

Shadow Magic is a great game

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 3 / 6
Date: September 01, 2005
Author: Amazon User

The interface is great and easy to use. There's a huge variety of units to play with. The AI is fairly good, but you should always resolve the battles manually.

Didn't want it to end

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 4 / 7
Date: April 14, 2004
Author: Amazon User

This game is a total blast. I loved it. I had never played any of the other SM games so I can't compare it to them, but I can say that it is definately better than some other RPGs I've played (not gonna name names, that's rude) Anyways this game allows you, in the main campaign, to choose on different routes, of course you need to get them all. The tutorial that it has is very helpful if you have never played the game before. With the stand alone scenarios you can completely modify your character. This game is very addictive, but of course once I beat the main Shadowlands Campaign personally it wasn't as fun anymore, I still love the game, but there is nothing to achieve anymore. If you haven't gotten into RPGs very much but want to I definately suggest this game. It will get you hooked.

Good Strategy Game

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 3 / 4
Date: February 14, 2004
Author: Amazon User

After playing Age of Wonders II, I decided to try this first one. It is a well made strategy game, the graphics are nice, the structure is okay. There are some clnuky things about controls but that's something fixed in the second game. The only thing that is kind of problematic is that the screen is too small and tiring for the eye after some time. I think I like the second one better but this is good for what it is.

Great Fantasy Civ-like game

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 5 / 5
Date: November 24, 2004
Author: Amazon User

If you like fantasy games and Civ 3, this game is for you. Its like a combination of Civ and D&D! What could be better? There are not very many good turn-based games out there to begin with. Fantasy turn-based is even more rare, but this is probably the best I've seen.

You get to choose from a variety of races to start. Each race has certain advantages over others and unique units each with special abilities. Building and developing cities is important as is exploring and making alliances (very Civ-like). But when a fight begins you can zoom into a battle screen and play it out blow by blow, or go the quick route and just see units dissapear. That flexibility in battles is a great feature. You can also develop individual hero units that gain levels and can use magic items.

There is a long campaign that you can play as well as various single-shot scenarios. No random maps per se, but you can downloads lots of scenarios off the web. I'm really hoping for a sequel. This is easily one of the best games I've ever played.

Play it for years !

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 8 / 10
Date: October 11, 2004
Author: Amazon User

AoW-SM is great. Everyone remarks about its balance, beauty, and game-play AI. What I think kicks it far ahead of all the contenders with similar turn-based play is the RANDOM MAP GENERATOR.
Yes, unlike other games you play for a month (if they last a week), is that AoW-SM has the depth of units, terrain, AI, and fresh maps thanks to a wonderful choice of options in single player mode along with a RMG.
AoW-SM Rocks, - AND - it lasts !

PS: there are also fan site mods that further the play. When you see a game whose fan sites are still going years after release, like AoW-II & AoW-SM, you Know its a solid game.
thanks Amazon for the review space,
luv ya, cfx :)

Master of Magic returns!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 10 / 13
Date: September 16, 2005
Author: Amazon User

I've been a gamer for a long time, and enjoyed the incredible game Master of Magic way back in the day. I've long since looked for a game that used the same formula: civilization building/economy/armies/and most importantly....SPELLS.

If you like strategy and blasting opponents with mystical creatures and spells, BUY THIS GAME.

Basically it's Civilization for the fantasy minded.

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