Description:

Age of Wonders is a turn-based strategy game with some RPG elements, co-developed by Triumph Studios and Epic Games. It was released in October 31, 1999 and the first game in the Age of Wonders series.

Website Link: http://triumph.net/ageofwonders

Trailer video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P–zaTS2iuA

Gameplay Video: https://youtu.be/JlG5xEvo-_4?t=24m41s

Elemental Tetrad

Mechanics

• Controls are simple and straightforward as only the use of mouse is required.
• Despite having simple controls, the game itself is quite complex.
• Gameplay revolves around turn-based strategy with an isometric view of the map over hexagonal tiles.
• Strategy Element
  • Fog of war, which is pretty common in strategy games, prompts the user to venture out into the unknown to explore.
  • Tactical combat challenges players to outwit other players in command of units.
• RPG Element
  • In-depth hero customization wide variety of special abilities to choose from, multitude of spells to research and arsenal of equipment to find.

 Story

• Setting: Medieval fantasy world with magic and a diversity of races
• Conflict: Humans killed the Elven King Inioch and conquer the Elven Court, claiming The Valley of Wonders. The remaining elves split into 2 factions: The Keeper, led by Elven Princess Julia and The Cult of Storms led by Elven Prince Meandor.
• Campaign: Join and aid one of these 2 factions in reclaiming The Valley of Wonders.
• Branching story based on different paths taken throughout the campaign. Final stage of the campaign is the same map for all paths, however objectives and alliance are different based on path taken.

Aesthetics

• Graphic
  • Detailed environmental tiles depicting different terrains such as snow, forest, desert, cave and etc.
  • Hero portraits consists of multiple version for each races.
  • Beautiful sprites depicting elemental attributes.
• Audio
  • Compelling and engaging soundtracks.
  • Different sound effects for spells to indicate its elemental attribute. (i.e. lightning)

Technology

• Game is built to run on Windows platform.
• Not much is known about the game engine as they used an in-house game engine.
• Has a map editor available for developing custom level. This is a great feature as it encourages player made custom levels.
• Multiplayer supports through LAN, over internet or by Email.

Lenses

Lens #27: The Lens of Skill

• Requires players to take advantage of their terrain, racial bonuses, alignments and etc.
• Balance between economy, expanding troops and exploration of map.
• Tactical combat has a high demand of skill. Even in a disadvantageous battle against larger amount of higher tier troops, with tactful play, a player maybe able to turn the tides.

Lens #29: The Lens of Chance

• Chance is an important aspect in this game as it makes the outcome of battles unpredictable.
• A prime example how chance plays a big role in this game is stats.
  • Attack determines chance of landing a hit.
  • Defence determines chance of dodging an attack.
• A hero with max stats losing a melee fight against another hero with lower stats based on chance. (Hero with max attack stats misses all his hit, and failed to dodge any attack despite having max defence stats as well)

Lens #38: The Lens of Competition vs. Cooperation

• This is very applicable in multiplayer game, especially in non-allied victory. (Only 1 winner)
• Players have to compete for resources, cities and artifacts. (equipment)
• Despite being a game of competitive nature, it also prompts player cooperation with diplomatic feature in place.
• Weaker players can form temporary alliance to join forces in attacking stronger players.

Lens #46: The Lens of Economy

• There are 2 main resources in this game, gold and mana.
• Gold is mainly used for upgrading cities and maintaining upkeep of troops.
• Mana is used for spell research and spell casting.
• Choices of spending resources wisely is important.

Lens #75: The Lens of the Avatar

• Player’s main hero is his/her avatar in this game and they are given free rein in customizing their hero.
• Max level of hero is 20, therefore there is a limited amount of abilities and stats the hero can have.
• Examples:
  • Combat oriented hero with max stats and multiple melee elemental strikes.
  • Magic oriented hero with more spell casting points.