Dominions 3: The Awakening

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Dominions 3: The Awakening is a single player and multiplayer turn-based strategy game with a fantasy theme. It was developed by Illwinter Game Design and was released on September 9, 2013. It received positive reviews from players.

Dominions 3 is a turn based strategy game taking place in a fantasy world with world altering magic rituals and horrors capable of destroying nations.

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82%

Audience ScoreBased on 169 reviews

gameplay12 positive mentions

graphics14 negative mentions

The game offers immense depth and variety with a unique fantasy setting based on ancient myths, providing a rich lore and diverse factions.
Players can enjoy a complex strategy experience with numerous customization options for their Pretender God, units, and spells, leading to high replayability.
Despite its outdated graphics and interface, the game is engaging and rewarding for those who appreciate deep strategy and are willing to invest time in learning its mechanics.

The game suffers from a steep learning curve with minimal tutorials, making it difficult for new players to grasp its complex mechanics without external resources.
Many players find the graphics and user interface to be outdated and unappealing, which can detract from the overall experience.
The lack of direct control during battles and heavy micromanagement in late-game scenarios can lead to frustration and a sense of tedium.

graphics
64 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
19%
59%
22%
The graphics of the game have been widely criticized as outdated and crude, often described as "ancient" or "poor." However, many players emphasize that the gameplay and strategic depth far outweigh the visual shortcomings, suggesting that those willing to overlook the graphics will find a rewarding experience. Overall, while the visuals may be off-putting, they are deemed sufficient for conveying necessary information, allowing players to focus on the game's complexity and content.
- “The artwork, music, and overall style generate a pleasant themed atmosphere.”
- “Don't be fooled by the graphics; this is an epic game that you should definitely get if you enjoy fantasy and/or strategy games.”
- “The graphics are sufficient for the job they do, and there's a plethora of additional mods and maps available for it.”
- “Clunky controls and ancient graphics nearly killed the game for me.”
- “There is a pretty cool strategy game hidden in here somewhere but I couldn't find it underneath the hideous graphics and god-awful user interface.”
- “Dominions 3: The Awakening is a simple-looking strategy game with poor graphics.”
gameplay
36 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
59%
8%
The gameplay is engaging and diverse, featuring a rich fantasy setting with a wide array of unique units and spells, allowing for strategic depth and experimentation. However, many players find the mechanics cryptic and poorly introduced, requiring external resources to fully understand and utilize them effectively. Despite these challenges, the core gameplay mechanics are praised for their complexity and enjoyment once mastered, contributing to a positive overall experience.
- “In all that time it never got stale - the gameplay was consistently engaging, but that was just a tiny part of it.”
- “Upgrades are free and regular, the game works like a clock on day one, patches fix some mechanics you never even knew existed, developers behave on forums like your friends: nice, professional, informative, and surprisingly patient towards the odd troll or idiot.”
- “Don't let yourself be fooled by the graphics, the gameplay of this game is actually amazing.”
- “Gameplay is basically 'stack mashing', where you pile up a giant glob of units and lob it at the enemy and hope for the best.”
- “The worst flaw of this game is that most of the cryptic game mechanics cannot be accessed in-game and you have to rely on Google search to find out.”
- “I am only mad about the makers' negligence about the 'gamer' at the other end and that user-hostile attitude almost asking the gamer 'guess what have I got here in my pocket?' which seems like arrogance and a lack of the skill of presenting eager people with easy-to-use game mechanics.”
music
32 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
19%
72%
9%
The music in the game has been widely praised for its atmospheric and creative qualities, significantly enhancing the overall experience. Composed by Erik Ask-Upmark and Anna Rynefors, it features a blend of medieval European and Scandinavian folk music, effectively setting the mood for different game eras. While some reviews noted issues with graphics and looping tracks, many players, including those who typically mute game music, found it to be among the best they've encountered.
- “The artwork, music, and overall style generate a pleasant themed atmosphere.”
- “The music, I don't think, is mentioned enough in all these reviews, and I just want to say from someone who normally turns the music off, this game has some of the best I have ever heard in a game... very creative and thought-provoking, just really sets the mood.”
- “You will find music from both of these projects in the game – intro music and early age music is Dråm, while middle and late age music is Falsobordone.”
- “On first glance, this game has sloppy graphics and looped music.”
- “9/10 for a wonderful strategy game and it only lost score on graphics, interface, and music.”
- “The music I don't think is mentioned enough in all these reviews, and I just want to say from someone who normally turns the music off, this game has some of the best I have ever heard in a game... very creative and thought-provoking, just really sets the mood.”
grinding
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious, especially as empires grow larger and require more management of units and resources. While some appreciate the strategic depth, many feel that the lack of engaging combat and the cumbersome user interface contribute to a monotonous experience. Overall, those who dislike grinding may want to consider alternatives like "Conquest of Elysium 3" for a more streamlined gameplay experience.
- “This game is a bit too tedious for my tastes.”
- “Dominions, while initially fun, becomes tedious and boring very quickly.”
- “You can build the troops, manage states, and conquer the map, but without any real fighting it feels more like a fancy chess game that you could really invest a lot of time in. Unfortunately, I don't love grinding, and if you are one of those 90's Risk-esque gaming types, go ahead and give it a go, but for me, this game just didn't catch my eye.”
replayability
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
25%
The game offers exceptional replayability, featuring a vast selection of nations, units, spells, and commanders, along with numerous player-created maps. This extensive variety, combined with a strategic gameplay engine, ensures that players can enjoy countless hours of unique experiences.
- “With such a dizzying array of nations, units, spells, and commanders, coupled with a massive number of player-made maps and an engine that provides real strategic play, Dominions contains an eternity of replay value for those who can grasp its juicy offerings.”
optimization
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
25%
25%
Reviews indicate that the game's optimization leans heavily towards strategic calculations and resource management, often overshadowing the initial promise of creative civilization customization. Players find themselves focused on exploiting resources and enhancing leader capabilities through magical items, which can lead to a more mechanical gameplay experience.
- “Leaders can also be given magical items you forge to greatly improve their combat performance, and can gain permanent (as long as they live) improvements to their magic-casting capabilities.”
- “All of the promise of customizing your civilization to suit your own fantasy gives way to cold calculations and optimization strategies, and all the exploration is just for finding more resources to exploit.”
atmosphere
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The atmosphere of the game is consistently praised for its pleasant themed ambiance, created through harmonious artwork and music that enhance the overall experience.
- “The artwork, music, and overall style create a captivating atmosphere that immerses you in the game world.”
- “The combination of stunning visuals and an evocative soundtrack establishes a truly enchanting atmosphere.”
- “The game's atmosphere is enhanced by its rich art design and hauntingly beautiful music.”
stability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is generally stable but has some bugs, particularly when running on Windows 10 at 1440 resolution. Despite these issues, it remains functional and enjoyable for players.
- “Fantastic, a bit buggy with Windows 10 and 1440 resolution but still works.”
humor
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is highlighted through a comedic guide that addresses multiplayer issues, providing players with a lighthearted take on the frustrations of connectivity problems. This approach adds an entertaining layer to the experience, making the challenges more enjoyable.
- “Multiplayer doesn't work? Read the hilarious guide!”

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Frequently Asked Questions

Dominions 3: The Awakening is a turn-based strategy game with fantasy theme.

Dominions 3: The Awakening is available on PC, Mac OS, Windows and Linux.

Dominions 3: The Awakening was released on September 9, 2013.

Dominions 3: The Awakening was developed by Illwinter Game Design.

Dominions 3: The Awakening has received positive reviews from players. Most players liked this game for its gameplay but disliked it for its graphics.

Dominions 3: The Awakening is a single player game with multiplayer support.

Similar games include Dominions 4: Thrones of Ascension, Dominions 5, Dominions 6: Rise of the Pantokrator, Conquest of Elysium 3, Conquest of Elysium 4 and others.

Dominions 3: The Awakening

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