Dominions 6: Rise of the Pantokrator

89%
Game Brain Score Based on 786 reviews
  • gameplay
  • graphics
  • music
Dominions 6: Rise of the Pantokrator Game Cover
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"Dominions 6: Rise of the Pantokrator" is a turn-based 4X strategy game where you play as a powerful pretender god striving for godhood. Choose from a variety of nations and pretender gods, each with unique abilities and dominions. Build and manage your armies, research powerful magic and items, and conquer opponents in single-player or multiplayer modes to become the new Pantokrator. The game offers a vast array of units, spells, and items for a deep and engaging strategy experience.

Play Modes

Reviews

89%
Audience ScoreBased on 786 reviews
gameplay26 positive mentions
grinding7 negative mentions
  • Great depth and complexity in strategy, with a vast array of nations and spells to explore.
  • Improvements in UI and quality of life features make the game more accessible for new players.
  • The addition of a new magic path and the separation of mounts and riders adds new layers of strategy.
  • The game feels too similar to Dominions 5, leading some players to view it as a minor update rather than a full sequel.
  • The UI can be clunky and unintuitive, making it difficult for new players to navigate.
  • Some bugs and balance issues remain, which can detract from the overall experience.
  • gameplay109 mentions

    The gameplay of Dominions 6 is characterized by its deep and intricate mechanics, offering a rich strategic experience that rewards players willing to invest time in learning its complexities. While the game retains much of the core gameplay from previous titles, it introduces new features and improvements, such as enhanced battle mechanics and a more robust user interface, though some players find the learning curve steep and the interface cumbersome. Overall, it provides a vast array of tactical options and customization, making it a compelling choice for fans of detailed strategy games, despite some criticisms regarding AI and diplomacy mechanics.

    • “I will spend years exploring all of the different cultures available in this game and how they are expressed through its strategic and tactical mechanics.”
    • “The gameplay here is ridiculously detailed and in-depth.”
    • “On 70 hours of gameplay, I have already realized how deep and versatile the gameplay can be; nevertheless, as I check other units, nations, or spells, the game doesn't stop to surprise me.”
    • “If you've no problem with technical and slow-going wargames, you might enjoy this title in the Dominions series, but keep in mind that all you are getting is the same gameplay from previous titles with little to no improvements; enemy AI.”
    • “It is, for lack of better words, a complete logistical nightmare where there are so many mechanics, spells, and concepts in it that no reasonable person could remember every single one of them.”
    • “But the complexity doesn't really come from the complexity of game mechanics; it's more from navigating the UI and clicking back and forth to try to decipher what a unit can do, what spells it can cast, and figuring out how the hell to play the game.”
  • graphics77 mentions

    The graphics of the game are widely regarded as outdated, reminiscent of late 90s or early 2000s titles, with many users describing them as "ugly" or "minimalistic." Despite this, some players find the retro aesthetic charming and argue that the game's depth and engaging mechanics more than compensate for the visual shortcomings. Overall, the graphics may deter those who prioritize high-quality visuals, but they do not detract from the enjoyment of players who appreciate strategic gameplay over aesthetics.

    • “I want to underline that I love the graphics as they are, and I hope they always stay that way; the sprites are a pop-art masterpiece.”
    • “If you can tolerate the minimalistic art style of this game, there is a real gem hidden in there.”
    • “Dominions continues to prove you don't need graphics to create an amazing game.”
    • “The graphics look like something from 1994; the UI takes a good while to become something other than a jumble of weird buttons and indecipherable icons.”
    • “This game has very archaic graphics and interface.”
    • “World map is very ugly (even by grand strategy standards); not just the literal map itself, but all the visuals - units, troop movement icons, etc. It's understandable that games like this will always have complex UIs and very abstract visuals, but this game takes it to another level.”
  • music47 mentions

    The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it less impressive than previous iterations, particularly Dominions 4 and 5. While some appreciate the European folk-inspired themes, others criticize the new tracks as generic and uninspired, expressing a desire for the return of older soundtracks. Overall, the music is described as serviceable but lacking the charm and quality of earlier versions, leading to disappointment among long-time fans.

    • “The music is inspired by European folk music, which is charming—echoes of 'The Lord of the Rings,' Celtic harp music, etc. There are already quite a number of user-created maps to download from the workshop, for example, a large map of the Old World of Warhammer.”
    • “The music, lore, and game mechanics all combine to create a unique game experience.”
    • “New factions, better random generation, improved AI, new GUI, tweaked magic system, tweaked army system, and a new soundtrack; all around a full upgrade from Dominions 5.”
    • “The music sucks; the soulful performed music of 4 and 5 was replaced with this forgettable Runescape ripoff generic synth slop, and you can't even hear any of the songs until the end because the music switches to the even worse, more generic battle music with every tiny encounter.”
    • “It's Dominions, so you know what to expect, but I have to give this a thumbs down just for how poor the new soundtrack is; Dom5 was okay, but now more than ever I'd like the ability to port in the Dom3/4 soundtrack to replace this generic mess.”
    • “This is not debatable; music in Dominions peaked in Dominions 4, and the current selection is even worse than its predecessor.”
  • replayability17 mentions

    The game boasts exceptional replayability, with users highlighting its vast depth, extensive customization options, and the unique combinations of nations and strategies available. Many reviewers note that the game's mechanics and procedural elements create nearly infinite variations, making each playthrough distinct and engaging. Overall, it is regarded as a must-have for strategy game enthusiasts due to its unparalleled replay value.

    • “This game has nearly infinite replayability: the amount of content, the depth of the simulation, and the ever-changing procedural worlds make every game unique and full of surprising events.”
    • “Choosing a nation, creating a god, and conquering the world offers plenty of replay value.”
    • “The sheer amount of replayability makes this game a golden purchase for any strategy game enjoyer!”
    • “The game is so massive in terms of features, combinations, and replayability that it will take nothing smaller than a book of a few hundred pages to explain it in general and then maybe another few volumes of similar sizes to deep-dive into the specifics.”
    • “The previous game was the most replayable game ever, and this is a big step up from that with a home for the fantasy lore of the cultures containing the vast majority of people on the planet.”
  • grinding7 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and repetitive, often involving excessive clicking and micromanagement that can lead to boredom, especially in single-player mode. However, those who enjoy the challenge of mastering complex systems may appreciate the depth it adds, and the experience is reportedly improved with community engagement in multiplayer settings. Overall, while grinding can be a significant drawback, it also offers a rewarding experience for dedicated players.

    • “If that sounds like boring, tedious work, it is.”
    • “But it's very tedious to play... a million clicks to do anything.”
    • “Note that single player will become grindy and boring pretty quickly.”
  • stability5 mentions

    The game launched in a notably unstable state, plagued by numerous bugs and graphical glitches that detract from the overall experience. Many users report issues with balance and a confusing interface, indicating that significant improvements are needed for a smoother gameplay experience.

    • “The game released in a dreadful, buggy state.”
    • “With that said, 6's launch has been very buggy with a lot of nations left behind in terms of balance.”
    • “The interface is still a mess, and I get graphical glitches that flicker and twitch, all of which are very unpleasant to look at.”
  • story5 mentions

    The game lacks a traditional narrative or overarching goal, focusing instead on strategic gameplay where players must outmaneuver opponents. However, the detailed descriptions of nations, spells, and units, inspired by real-world mythologies, create a rich and immersive backdrop that enhances the overall storytelling experience. Each playthrough offers a unique story shaped by the player's choices and strategies.

    • “Each game will tell an interesting story.”
    • “There is no story per se and no real goal other than 'crush everyone'; however, each nation, each spell, each creature, and each simple soldier have descriptions that can be very detailed and together form a very interesting and comprehensive picture.”
    • “The nations are mostly based on real-world mythologies and histories, and while there are similar themes and a few shared units between some of them, each one feels like a unique nation, with the aforementioned similarities being an enhancement of the flavor and storytelling.”
    • “Dominions is a game where you need to be methodical, where you need to plan, where you need to plot not just one course to power, but tens or twenties, because if you just take the easy path and focus on what you're strictly good at, your opponents who know how to use that piece of garbage shaman they found in the woods with gems their nation doesn't have a good use for will roll over you because they can extract even a fractional amount of power out of every resource they have.”
  • humor4 mentions

    The humor in the game is highlighted by its charming sprites and amusing sound effects, which have garnered positive reactions from players and reviewers alike. Many find the graphics and pricing initially laughable, yet they are pleasantly surprised by the game's depth and polish, leading to entertaining gameplay experiences with new nations and unique matchups. Overall, the humor contributes to a lighthearted atmosphere that enhances the enjoyment of the game.

    • “The sprites have a lot of charm and the sounds are funny.”
    • “I saw a YouTube review that started with someone laughing at the graphics and price point, only to be blown away and declare this a guaranteed top 5 game for 2024.”
    • “The new nations in this game are definitely worth checking out for veterans and newcomers, as they allow for a whole new playstyle and funny matchups with the new magic paths and their strengths and weaknesses.”
  • optimization4 mentions

    The game's optimization has seen significant improvements over its predecessor, particularly in UI, performance, and game mechanics, although some users still report performance issues on certain hardware, particularly AMD GPUs. While the game introduces realistic afflictions that impact performance, there are calls for further performance fixes to enhance the overall experience.

    • “The game features a massive improvement in UI, performance, game mechanics, balance, random map generation, and many other aspects compared to the previous iteration.”
    • “Performance is worse than Dominions 5 on the same hardware, but it doesn't arbitrarily perform poorly on AMD GPUs anymore.”
    • “If someone gets an arm chopped off in battle, that affliction remains until they die and affects their performance in realistic ways.”
    • “Performance fix when?”
    • “Performance is worse than Dom5 on the same hardware, but it doesn't arbitrarily perform poorly on AMD GPUs anymore either.”
    • “The greatest of them strategy games and a massive improvement in UI, performance, game mechanics, balance, random map generation, and many other aspects compared to the previous iteration.”
  • emotional3 mentions

    The emotional response to this release is mixed, with some users feeling it strays too far from the original's wholesome nature, leading to a sense of disappointment and frustration akin to an abusive relationship. This suggests that while the game introduces new content, it may sacrifice the emotional connection that fans valued in previous titles.

    • “This release made me feel like I was in an abusive relationship.”
    • “I've seen so many classic titles that were eager to introduce new content and mechanics, but they failed to achieve a well-rounded state, lost their original wholesomeness, and broke themselves.”
  • monetization2 mentions

    The monetization strategy has been criticized for a lack of additional content options, such as microtransactions or DLCs, yet it is perceived as a cash grab with a flat price of $50 for the game.

    • “There are no microtransactions, no loot crates, no DLCs, no subscription fees, and no Game of the Year edition for €90; zero extra costs.”
    • “The game offers a complete experience without any additional charges or hidden fees.”
    • “I appreciate that the developers have chosen to avoid monetization tactics that often plague other games.”
    • “Instead, they chose to cash grab for $50 from their community.”
    • “There are no microtransactions, no loot crates, no DLCs, no subscription, no GOTY edition for €90, zero extra fees.”
  • atmosphere2 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is highly praised, with reviewers noting its strong lore and an epic quality that is considered rare in gaming. Overall, it contributes significantly to the immersive experience of the series.

    • “The atmosphere and lore are both impressive.”
    • “An outstanding game series that offers an epic atmosphere, which I personally find rare in games.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Buy Dominions 6: Rise of the Pantokrator

Play time

168hMedian play time
257hAverage play time
70-700hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 4 analyzed playthroughs

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