Age of Wonders II: The Wizard's Throne
- September 30, 2010
- Triumph Studios
- 10h median play time
Get on SteamAge of Wonders II: The Wizard's Throne is a turn-based strategy game set in a high fantasy world. As a powerful sorcerer, you lead your faction to conquer and control diverse environments and enemies. The game features tactical combat, diplomacy, and deep exploration, with a wide range of magical spells and abilities to master. Your choices and strategic decisions will shape the fate of your kingdom and the world.
PC
Windows
Linux
Reviews
- The game offers a fun turn-based strategy experience with many possible combinations and strategies.
- It retains the charm of a classic game with nice visuals and engaging gameplay mechanics.
- The addition of unique magic spheres and the ability to establish new cities adds depth to the strategic planning.
- The game suffers from numerous technical issues, including crashes and resolution problems on modern systems.
- The AI is often criticized for being overly simplistic and can feel unfair due to its omniscience in the fog of war.
- The campaign lacks depth and variety, making it feel repetitive and less engaging compared to its predecessor.
- story30 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 70 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The story in Age of Wonders II is generally viewed as a mix of generic fantasy tropes and engaging elements, with some players finding it compelling despite its shortcomings compared to the first game. While the campaign consists of a series of mini-campaigns tied to different magic spheres, the narrative is often described as lacking depth and epicness, leading to a less immersive experience for some. However, many players appreciate the overall structure and find the story enjoyable enough to keep them engaged throughout long play sessions.
“The story of the second part focuses on the wizards, who have mastered one of the spheres of magic and rule over a race most compatible with that sphere.”
“The gameplay is extremely smooth, there are no balancing issues that I have experienced, and the story of the campaign is one of the extremely few that I can truly say is epic.”
“But the story was so riveting that I never lost my drive.”
“Then there is the story... nothing worthy to write about.”
“In comparison, the Age of Wonders 3 story is trash.”
“While some of the improvements made over the first game were really great in my opinion, others weren't, and the story - while still being okay for most of it - wasn't nearly as good as the first game's.”
- gameplay23 mentions
- 22 % positive mentions
- 65 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
"Age of Wonders 2: The Wizard's Throne" offers a rich and evolved gameplay experience that builds on its predecessor, featuring diverse mechanics and an emphasis on magic. While the game is praised for its engaging campaign and solid mechanics, some players find the user interface confusing and the lack of in-game guidance frustrating. Overall, it is considered a classic with enjoyable gameplay, though it may be challenging for newcomers.
“Age of Wonders 2: The Wizard's Throne is a worthy continuation of the legendary series that successfully evolves the mechanics of the first part, offering players a deeper and more diverse gameplay experience.”
“Gameplay-wise, The Wizard's Throne is similar to the first part but emphasizes magic.”
“The gameplay is extremely smooth, there are no balancing issues that I have experienced, and the story of the campaign is one of the extremely few that I can truly say is epic.”
“The only things that detract from it being a stellar game are the sometimes confusing moving options and mechanics.”
“Don't waste your money on this, very confusing and inaccessible UI and gameplay.”
“It's got solid mechanics but it can just be mind-numbingly difficult at times.”
- graphics20 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 15 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are generally considered dated, reflecting its age, with some users noting issues like black screens and glitches. While many acknowledge that the visuals are not cutting-edge, they appreciate the vibrant colors and overall aesthetic, which still hold up reasonably well for a game of its era. Overall, the graphics are seen as a mixed bag, with some players enjoying the nostalgic charm while others find them clunky and in need of improvement.
“The game offers some pleasant graphics and really vibrant colors, although some ugly glitches here and there, it is pleasant all the same.”
“With beautiful graphics, a smart AI, and a dragon’s hoard of replayability, Age of Wonders II is a winner.”
“Timeless graphics and soundtrack that will envelop you.”
“From random black screens on startup to really old graphics that don't work well with larger monitors (and unable to select anything but 'window' in the options), to really bad RNG, constantly getting squashed by low-level units, yet my units miss, miss, miss!”
“The graphics aren't great, but this isn't a remaster version and the game is old, so it's expected.”
“This is an old game, and the graphics, interface, and general game design are clunky and difficult to use until you learn how.”
- music10 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its relaxing and immersive qualities, with many reviewers highlighting it as a standout feature that enhances the overall experience. While some note that it can be repetitive compared to previous installments, the soundtrack is generally described as stunning and fitting for the fantasy setting, contributing significantly to the game's atmosphere. Overall, the music is considered a major asset, elevating both the gameplay and the storytelling.
“The music alone is worth the purchase.”
“Stunning background music, good balance.”
“My only complaint is the music is much more repetitive than AOW1.”
“You'll find the story relies rather heavily on generic fantasy tropes, taken very seriously, that can almost seem compelling if you relax your mind a bit and let the music (which, as is usual for the Age of Wonders series, is excellent) wash over you.”
“Timeless graphics and soundtrack that will envelop you.”
- stability3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -67 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
Overall, users report that while the game has nostalgic appeal and vibrant graphics, it suffers from various bugs and glitches that detract from its stability. If these issues were resolved, players believe it could be a great experience.
“The game runs smoothly without any crashes or major bugs.”
“I've experienced consistent performance, which makes for an enjoyable gaming experience.”
“The stability of the game allows me to focus on gameplay without worrying about technical issues.”
“The adaptation for modern PC is a bit buggy, but I couldn't resist.”
“Although the game offers some pleasant graphics and really vibrant colors, there are some ugly glitches here and there.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
"Age of Wonders II" is praised for its significant replayability, attributed to its stunning graphics and intelligent AI, making it a standout title that encourages multiple playthroughs.
“With beautiful graphics, a smart AI, and a dragon’s hoard of replayability, Age of Wonders II is a winner.”
“Massive replay value.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Reviewers highlight the nostalgic charm of the game's atmosphere, enhanced by its original soundtrack and a classic aesthetic that evokes fond memories.
“The OST and the old-school atmosphere bring back so many memories.”
“The game's atmosphere is incredibly immersive, making you feel like you're part of a living world.”
“Every detail contributes to a hauntingly beautiful atmosphere that stays with you long after playing.”
“The OST and the old-school atmosphere brought back so many memories.”
“The game lacks any real sense of immersion, making it hard to feel connected to the world.”
“The atmosphere feels flat and uninspired, failing to evoke any real emotions.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find that while the game's format remains enjoyable after many years, the grinding aspect can feel tedious, particularly due to outdated graphics and controls.
