The news about the new version of the cult Age of Wonders - this time in a science fiction version - excited some fans, and some gave them a headache. Adherents of the classic fantasy full of elves and magic may be disappointed in the change of direction taken by the creators of this series. However, apart from being set in a different world, which not everyone will like, Planetfall has different elements.
From the magical Middle Ages to the cosmic postapo
The creators of the latest installment of Age of Wonders (a series of strategic turn-based 4X games) have taken a great risk departing from the existing fantastic convention towards a completely crazy science fiction. And so, instead of the elves, we got genetically modified Amazons, instead of the ordinary dwarves of their mechanical Soviet cousins, and instead of the human race as a whole, several fighting factions, including space marines and cyborgs. There were also other bizarre races in Planetfall – worms, plants and psionic ethereal fish. You probably haven’t seen such an unusual mixture for a long time.
When traveling through various planets, you can meet, for example, psionic fish
However, the main and independent factions are not everything. Every element of this game is steeped in a variety of science fiction. Each campaign scenario or mission takes place on a separate planet with different characteristics. On the map, we find strange buildings: from cosmodromes, through secret laboratories, to cosmic nightclubs.
In such realities, we play the role of representatives of one of the six factions that almost 200 years after the cataclysm that ravaged the universe are trying to take care of the bright future of their nation.
A multitude of possibilities
The campaign in the newest Age of Wonders is structured in an unusual way. Each faction is assigned two consecutive missions. We do not have all the groups at our disposal from the beginning, but the order in which the missions are performed is optional. After winning the appropriate number of planets, we unlock the final mission, which can be approached by one of the factions whose plots we successfully completed.
The maps are beautiful and varied
This departure from the full linearity of the campaign makes the history of the world all the more curious. Although the plots of individual nations are not very original, they differ enough from each other so that following the main plot of the game does not get boring. Getting to know the fate of the galaxy after the cataclysm from the perspective of different races and assembling the elements yourself into a coherent whole is a lot of fun.
I was also very positively surprised by the multitude of choices during the mission. The fate of the world really depends on us, and in addition to the finale, there are several different paths. Most of the objectives can be achieved in at least two ways, one of which is military. I did not expect such a huge amount of possibilities from the turn-based strategy campaign.
Some of the story choices are bizarre and surprising
A great step towards the age of miracles
In terms of mechanics, Planetfall is a developed and varied Age of Wonders III. If you compare both games to other productions, AoW III was a combination of Heroes of Might and Magic and Civilization , while the latest installment of the series intertwines elements known from Endless Legend, Civilization and XCOM .
On the strategic map showing the surface of the planet, we start with a single colony to which we can attach new sectors and specialize them in terms of providing specific resources. We can also establish new colonies, but we do not choose a specific hex for this purpose, but only a sector. This system is very similar to the one known from Endless Legend from Amplitude Studios. Diplomacy and warfare are closer to the system known from Sid Meier’s Civilization VI.
The diplomacy system is similar to that of Sid Meier’s Civilization VI
The magic known from the previous parts of Age of Wonders has been replaced here with strategic (on the strategic map) and tactical (in combat) operations, unlocked by discovering new technologies. Importantly, each faction has specific possibilities, which are also expanded by choosing a secret technology. This gives 36 combinations of unique operations and character advancements.
We usually start the missions with one hero (occasionally with two), whom we can develop in a way specific to the race and technology, and equip with more and more powerful tools of extermination. We can also modify military units in the same way as Endless Legend , creating more and more dangerous fighters.
The fights, in which a total of 7 armies consisting of 6 units can take part, are very similar to the battles from the XCOM series . They are turn-based, and during their turn, units can move, attack, enter defense or guard mode, or use skills. Terrain elements that serve as covers play a very important role in battles, and some of them can be destroyed or even exploded.
The combat system is similar to that known from the XCOM series
In terms of mechanics, it is difficult to find anything innovative here, but all aspects of the game have been selected in such a way that everything fits together well, and at the same time remains easy to master.
Solo and team
In addition to an interestingly realized campaign, Planetfall also offers the possibility of playing single scenarios with the computer or other players, online or on a single machine.
If you are interested in this type of gameplay, you will surely be pleased to be able to configure the map and the rules of the game. The 36 combinations of factions and secret technologies that I mentioned earlier give you a lot of possibilities to personalize the game and strive for one of the five types of victories that we choose. Personally, however, I had much more fun going through the campaign than having free play on randomly generated planets.
The discovery of new technologies is often accompanied by funny quotes from famous personalities of the game world
Heheszki and mistakes
It is clear that the creators wanted humorous elements in this installment of Age of Wonders . Apart from the completely crazy setting, there were also funny (in practice, often completely numb) dialogues and funny names.
The game also includes references to our history and culture. And so, one of the random names of the Dvar colony (space dwarves) is the Gagarin, and one of the independent factions found on the planets is reminiscent of the heroes of the Mad Max series .
Admittedly, the translators showed great creativity
Unfortunately, the Polish cinema location was not without some minor mistakes. This is nothing that would severely disrupt the gameplay, although some stumbles are embarrassing. As an example, you can mention the message that appears when adding units to an army that is in guard mode on the map (stopping on a given field until new orders are issued) – “stack while guarding”, probably from English stacking . Have you ever made piles of space marines or mechanical dwarves?
Impressive universe
The graphic design of this edition of Age of Wonders looks very good. The effects visible on the strategic map are as polished as the details of the units during the battle, which can be viewed in high zoom. However, there was no element that would distinguish the title from similar productions.
Visually, the game looks good even at lower settings and on slightly weaker hardware. However, especially at high ambient temperatures, it can heat up the graphics card quite strongly. On a strong, but not a top machine, the game works without any problems, loads quickly and does not slow down even with slightly larger battles and a multitude of units and effects.
Details visible during the fight please the player’s eye
Musically, Planetfall is doing well, although it’s far from being an unforgettable soundtrack. In the tracks of the soundtrack, you can hear the inspiration of music from science fiction movies, which is a huge plus.
No risk, no win
Changing the game setting from classic fantasy to extreme science fiction could turn out to be a shot in the foot for the creators. It is too early to judge whether this has happened, but you can already see that some die-hard fans of the series did not like this change.
Looking at Planetfall in isolation from the previous parts of the series, it is a really solid production in its genre. The combination of well-known mechanics was surprisingly successful, and the unusual approach to the campaign with a multitude of choices means a huge replayability.
If you are looking for a strong competition for Endless Legend and Sid Meier’s Civilization , the latest Age of Wonders will be a great choice. However, if you are a devoted fan of the previous installments of the series with their fantastic atmosphere, Planetfall may disappoint you.
We would like to thank CDP for making a copy of the game (PC) available for review.
