Dominions 3: The Awakening

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

"Dominions 3: The Awakening" is a turn-based strategy game set in a fantasy world, where players design their own pretender gods to compete for true godhood. With over 60 nations, 1500 units, 600 spells, and 300 magic items, the game offers a vast array of magical rituals, horrifying creatures, and strategic options. Accompanied by a medieval musical score, this highly detailed game includes a 300-page manual for a deep and immersive experience.

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84%

Audience ScoreBased on 208 reviews

gameplay20 positive mentions

graphics16 negative mentions

The game offers immense depth and variety, with a plethora of unique units, spells, and strategies to explore, making each playthrough feel distinct.
Despite its outdated graphics, the game provides a rich fantasy setting and engaging lore, appealing to fans of mythology and complex strategy.
The turn-based gameplay allows for thoughtful planning and strategy, with a satisfying sense of progression as players develop their pretender god and manage their kingdoms.

The game has a steep learning curve, exacerbated by a lack of effective tutorials and a complex interface, which can be overwhelming for new players.
Many players find the graphics and user interface to be dated and unappealing, which may detract from the overall experience.
Late-game micromanagement can become tedious, as players must manage numerous units and resources, leading to potential burnout.

graphics
74 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
16%
62%
22%
The graphics of the game are widely criticized as outdated and basic, often described as clunky or crude, which can detract from the overall experience. However, many players emphasize that the depth and complexity of the gameplay more than compensate for the visual shortcomings, encouraging others to look beyond the graphics to appreciate the strategic elements. While the visuals may initially seem off-putting, they are deemed sufficient for conveying necessary information, and some players find nostalgic charm in the retro aesthetic.
- “The artwork, music, and overall style generate a pleasant themed atmosphere.”
- “Don't let the graphics fool you; beneath its dull exterior lies a creamy center full of strategic goodness.”
- “Overall, if you are willing to excuse the graphics and learn the mechanics, you will be in for an amazing strategy gem.”
- “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
48 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
42%
52%
6%
The gameplay is praised for its depth and complexity, offering a rich experience through various mechanics, factions, and spells that encourage exploration and strategic planning. While the graphics are considered primitive, the engaging mechanics and diverse fantasy elements keep the gameplay fresh and enjoyable, despite some criticism regarding the accessibility of certain features and the need for players to rely on external resources to fully understand the game. Overall, players find the gameplay to be a standout aspect, making it a rewarding strategy experience once the initial learning curve is overcome.
- “A lot of fun can be had exploring the mechanics, which are deep and multi-faceted.”
- “In spite of the primitive art, there's a tremendous amount of depth to the gameplay, particularly in which age you start in, the map, your faction and their preferred biome and units, and your god.”
- “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
36 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
28%
64%
8%
The music in the game is widely praised for its atmospheric and thematic qualities, with many reviewers highlighting its creativity and ability to enhance the overall experience. Composed by Erik Ask-Upmark and Anna Rynefors, the soundtrack features a blend of medieval European and Scandinavian folk music, effectively setting the mood for different game eras. While some critiques mention repetitive loops, the majority agree that the music significantly contributes to the game's nostalgic and immersive atmosphere.
- “The music, I don't think, is mentioned enough in all these reviews. 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.”
- “Great and atmospheric music.”
- “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 points on graphics, interface, and music.”
- “The music for Dominions 3 was performed by Erik Ask-Upmark and Anna Rynefors.”
grinding
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious, particularly when managing multiple units and territories, which can become overwhelming as the empire expands. While some appreciate the strategic elements, many feel that the lack of engaging combat and the repetitive nature of unit management detracts from the overall enjoyment, leading to a sense of boredom over time. For those who prefer less grinding, alternatives like "Conquest of Elysium 3" are recommended.
- “It sounds trite, but when you're managing 10 stacks of units being made each turn, at 10 different territories, every turn for each front, it gets really tedious.”
- “Dominions, while initially fun, becomes tedious and boring very quickly.”
- “I'll go ahead and get the (tiny) amount of bad out of the way - the game has an unusual user interface, and selection of units can be especially tedious sometimes.”
replayability
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
50%
25%
The game offers exceptional replayability, featuring a vast selection of nations, units, spells, and commanders, along with numerous player-created maps. This depth and variety ensure that players can enjoy countless strategic experiences, making it a title with virtually limitless replay value.
- “Replayability until eternity.”
- “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%
The optimization aspect of the game emphasizes strategic calculations and resource management, often overshadowing the initial promise of creative civilization customization. Players are encouraged to focus on maximizing efficiency through resource exploitation and enhancing leader capabilities with 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.”
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.”
atmosphere
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
150%
The atmosphere of the game is consistently praised for its pleasant themed ambiance, created through a combination of artwork, music, and overall style.
- “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 generates a truly enchanting atmosphere.”
- “The game's atmosphere is enhanced by its rich art design and hauntingly beautiful music.”
humor
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is highlighted through a comedic guide that players find amusing, particularly in the context of multiplayer issues. This lighthearted approach adds a layer of entertainment, even when gameplay experiences may be frustrating.
- “Multiplayer doesn't work? Read the hilarious guide!”
story
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The story is described as a virtual simulation that resonates with players' real-life experiences, particularly in the context of embodying a "pretender god." This unique narrative approach has garnered recommendations for its relatable themes and immersive storytelling.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Dominions 3: The Awakening is a strategy game.

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, Deity Empires and others.

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