Age of Wonders: Shadow Magic (2024)

Overview[]

Age of Wonders: Shadow Magicis aturn-based strategyvideo gamein afantasysetting.Shadow Magicis the third incarnation of theAge of Wondersseries, and is a direct sequel toAge of Wonders 2: The Wizard's Throne. All three games were developed byTriumph Studios, aDutchvideo game developer. The series is the spiritual successor toMaster of Magic.

Gameplay[]

The game features a world on three different levels, theSurface, the Underground and the Shadow World. Scenarios may take place on one or more of these levels. The game can either be played in asimultaneousmode, wherein players move their units at the same time during a turn, and in a traditional turnbased mode. Note that both modes are still turnbased. The game is played both in anoverworldmode, on which parties are moved and raised,structuresare built and heroes are contracted, as well as a battle mode.

Wizards[]

The key element of the game are theWizards. Wizards are very powerful atmagic, but rather weak at close combat. Every player has one Wizard, each with a sphere of magic (Life, Death, Fire, Water, Air, Earth, Cosmos and finally Chaos/Secret), which decides whichspellsthe Wizard can research. Some Wizards have multiple spheres, but can only learn less advanced spells. Spells range from passive spells (for instance, blessing a unit with additional strengths), to direct spells (i.e. healing spells or attack spells), tosummoningspells. Wizards are the only units in the game who can'tlevel upor gainmedals. Instead, they improve by researching new spells and skills.

Wizards have a domain, which is the area in which the Wizard can cast his spells. When a wizard is inside a wizard's tower, the radius of his domain is increased by several hexagons, and in addition a small domain is radiated around each hero, so it is usually best to keep wizards inside a tower at all times. Everyvillage,townandcitycan build a Wizard Tower, and the Wizard only has to be inside one Wizard Tower, the other towers will also increase his domain.

Heroes[]

Wizards can also attract heroes. Heroes are the men and women who (preferably) lead your troops intobattle. Heroes, unlike Wizards, can level up. When they level up, the player can choose between threeabilitiesfor the hero to make them stronger. For example they can fire at range or improve the partymorale. At a low level, they are rather vulnerable to other units, especially high tier units, so it is suggested to keep them a bit out of harm's way, for at a high level, they can become strong assets to a party, and can even destroy parties on their own. Their maximum level is 30.

When a Hero dies, you can only bring it back by using the reanimate or resurrect spell. When using the reanimate spell, the Hero will return to your Wizard's Seat as anUndeadhero.

Heroes can join you either by applying at one of your cities or parties, by being recruited at an Inn or similar building, or can be attained through the use of the "call hero" spell.

Regular units[]

Regular units represent the majority of the units in the game. These units can be divided in four levels, based on the various buildings that are needed for creating them. Units can also be awarded medals, which are given independent of respective levels. The medals represent experience and give bonuses to unit statistics.

Structures[]

There are many kinds of structures on the World Map. The most important ones are the cities and the structures that generate either gold or mana.

Citiescome in four levels. The lowest level is the Outpost, which can only construct a Wooden Wall and the race's basic unit. The next stage, the Village, can build many more buildings. The other stages are Town and City. The stages differ in how fast they can build, and the income they generate.

Races[]

There are fifteen races in the game and these races are divided into five groups; pure good, good, evil, pure evil and neutral races.

Multiplayer[]

Like both its predecessors the game was designed for single-player as well as multiplayer, and while the graphic engine is the same as inAge of Wonders 2: The Wizard's Throne, gameplay is improved and some important features are added. While every existing race in the game received at least one new recruitable unit and new buildings, 3 races are completely new. Much requested from the fans (and referred to in the forums as the "random map cult"), the game now offers a "Create Random Scenario" option. Age of Wonders: Shadow Magic can be played in multiplayer mode 3 different ways; 1) Joining via I.P (Internet Protocol) address 2) Joining via LAN (Local Area Network) connection 3) Play by Email.

Development[]

Shadow Magicwas probably planned as anexpansion packforAge of Wonders II: The Wizard's Throne, but was published as a stand-alone game instead.

The game was unofficially developed further by a fan-community.There is a further update planned.

Availability[]

For several yearsAge of Wonders: Shadow Magicwas only available from third party sources such asAmazon.comandeBayor through illicit means. On September 13, 2010 it was announced that the entire franchise will be re-released onStardock'sImpulse.On September 24, 2010 it was announced that the trilogy will also be made available viaGOG.comandGamersGate.As of October 11, 2010, all three games in the series are available on Steam. As of June 2011, all three are available on GOG.com andSteam.

References[]

1. Jump upWikipedia - Age of Wonders: Shadow Magic
2. "Massive Unofficial AoW:SM Game Update Available!". Triumph Studios. Retrieved 2012-03-30.
3. Jump up"Age of Wonders II Heaven". HeavenGames.
4. Jump up"AGE OF WONDERS® SERIES DIGITALLY RE-RELEASED!". Triumph Studios. Retrieved 2012-03-30.

External links[edit][]

• Age of Wonders: Shadow Magicat Triumph Studios's website
• Age of Wonders: Shadow MagicatGameFAQs
• Age of Wonders: Shadow MagicatMobyGames