Dominions 6: Rise of the Pantokrator

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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.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Reviews

90%

Audience ScoreBased on 984 reviews

gameplay30 positive mentions

story3 negative mentions

Dominions 6 offers an incredible depth of strategy and variety with over 100 unique nations and thousands of spells, making each playthrough feel fresh and engaging.
The new multiplayer lobby system greatly enhances the experience, making it easier to find and join games with friends and the community.
Quality of life improvements, such as auto-search for magic sites and better army management, streamline gameplay and reduce micromanagement.

The user interface remains clunky and outdated, making navigation and management cumbersome, especially for new players.
Many players feel that the changes from Dominions 5 to 6 are not substantial enough to justify the full price, viewing it more as a DLC than a standalone game.
The AI still struggles with complex strategies, leading to a less challenging single-player experience compared to the excitement of multiplayer.

gameplay
133 mentions
23 % positive mentions
75 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Dominions 6 is characterized by its intricate and deep mechanics, offering a rich variety of strategic options and unit interactions that reward players willing to invest time in learning the systems. While the user interface can be cumbersome and the learning curve steep, the game provides a rewarding experience with its extensive content, diverse factions, and engaging tactical battles. Overall, it stands out as a complex and rewarding strategy game, appealing to fans of deep, turn-based gameplay despite some criticisms regarding accessibility and UI design.
- “Very intricate and varied gameplay.”
- “The sheer verticality of content is stunning, and as far as 4x strategic gameplay goes, Illwinter is so far ahead of the bell curve it puts scores of AAA titles to shame.”
- “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.”
- “The gameplay here is ridiculously detailed and in-depth.”
- “Every game mechanic imaginable is explained poorly, and the manual is full of errors, so the only way to learn how the game really works is to ask on the forums or in Discord.”
- “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, clicking around between territories, trying to figure out why one unit is available here and not there, and figuring out how the hell to play the game.”
graphics
93 mentions
19 % positive mentions
71 % neutral mentions
10 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely regarded as outdated and minimalistic, often reminiscent of late 90s or early 2000s titles, which may deter some players. However, many reviewers appreciate the charm and unique style of the visuals, emphasizing that the gameplay depth and mechanics far outweigh the graphical shortcomings. Overall, the game is recommended for those who prioritize engaging gameplay over high-fidelity graphics.
- “The graphics and sound design, while not the most cutting-edge, serve their purpose well and contribute to the game's immersive atmosphere.”
- “A shining example of how even a simple and charming art style can keep you deeply engaged.”
- “If you can tolerate the minimalistic art style of this game, there is a real gem hidden in there.”
- “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.”
- “It's clunky, the UI is unfriendly, the graphics are beyond dated even speaking as someone who prefers a strong aesthetic over high fidelity, and it's generally bad at onboarding new players.”
- “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.”
music
50 mentions
14 % positive mentions
78 % neutral mentions
8 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players expressing disappointment compared to previous iterations, particularly Dominions 4 and 5. While some appreciate the European folk-inspired themes and find the soundtrack serviceable, others criticize it as generic and lacking the charm of earlier soundtracks. Overall, the consensus suggests a desire for the return of older music tracks or more engaging compositions, as the current offerings feel less memorable and fitting.
- “Finally, a word on sound and the workshop - 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.”
- “Love the new music.”
- “The music could be better, but I suggest you load up all the classics from fantasy/4X game premium editions you have in your library and put that into one playlist.”
- “I'll admit, the music kind of sucks and sounds very royalty-free in contrast to Dominions 5, but nothing unpleasant to listen to and it can be muted if you wish.”
- “Icing on the cake, 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 and give them a chance because the music switches to the even worse, more generic battle music with every tiny encounter.”
replayability
20 mentions
50 % positive mentions
35 % neutral mentions
15 % negative mentions
The game boasts exceptional replayability, with users highlighting its vast array of nations, customizable gods, and random maps that keep gameplay fresh and engaging. Many reviewers note the depth of strategy and the unique combinations of features, making each playthrough distinct and enjoyable. Overall, it is regarded as a must-have for strategy game enthusiasts due to its nearly infinite replay value.
- “The random maps and replayability, along with the complexity of choices with your god and the many nations, keeps it fresh for a long time.”
- “The sheer amount of replayability makes this game a golden purchase for any strategy game enthusiast!”
- “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.”
- “The sheer amount of replayability makes this game a golden purchase for any strategy game enjoyer!”
- “The amount of customization and replayability is staggering.”
- “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.”
story
7 mentions
14 % positive mentions
43 % neutral mentions
43 % negative mentions
The game's story is rich and multifaceted, focusing on the internal tensions and religious schisms among its clans, which leads to a diverse cultural interplay. While there isn't a traditional narrative or overarching goal, the detailed descriptions of nations, spells, and creatures create a compelling backdrop that enhances the gameplay experience. Each nation draws inspiration from real-world mythologies, contributing to a unique and immersive storytelling atmosphere.
- “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.”
- “Instead, Caelum is about the internal tensions and religious schisms between its clans, and the path that story charts produces offshoots like Nazca and Ragha through cross-pollination with other cultures, and it feels so much more rich and satisfying.”
grinding
7 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and repetitive, often requiring excessive clicking and micromanagement, especially in single-player mode. While some enjoy the challenge and depth it brings, many feel that it can quickly become boring without the support of an active community for multiplayer experiences. Overall, the game has improved in terms of enjoyment, but the grind remains a significant factor.
- “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.”
humor
6 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by its charming and funny sprites, along with amusing sound effects that enhance the retro style. Players appreciate the unexpected surprises and comedic elements, which contribute to a polished experience that stands out among similar titles. Overall, the humor adds a delightful layer to gameplay, making it enjoyable for both veterans and newcomers.
- “Pretty fun, retro style game with lots of little surprises—and a bit of a sense of humor.”
- “The sprites have a lot of charm and the sounds are funny.”
- “So, I saw a YouTube review which basically started as someone laughing at the graphics and price point, only to be blown away and have this as a guaranteed top 5 game for 2024.”
optimization
5 mentions
20 % positive mentions
20 % neutral mentions
60 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization has seen significant improvements compared to its predecessor, particularly in UI and game mechanics. While performance is generally good, some users report it being worse than previous titles on similar hardware, though issues with AMD GPUs have been addressed. The realistic impact of in-game injuries on performance adds a unique layer to gameplay.
- “Performance is also pretty good.”
- “Performance fix when?”
- “Performance is worse than Dom5 on the same hardware, but it doesn't arbitrarily perform poorly on AMD GPUs anymore either.”
- “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.”
stability
5 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The game launched in a notably unstable state, plagued by numerous bugs and graphical glitches that detract from the overall experience. Users have reported issues with balance and a confusing interface, contributing to a frustrating gameplay environment.
- “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.”
atmosphere
3 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is enhanced by effective graphics and sound design, creating an immersive experience that complements its strong lore. Reviewers highlight the series' ability to deliver a rare and epic atmosphere, making it stand out in the gaming landscape.
- “The graphics and sound design, while not the most cutting-edge, serve their purpose well and contribute to the game's immersive atmosphere.”
- “Atmosphere and lore are also pretty good.”
- “An outstanding game series that provides an epic atmosphere that I personally find rare in games.”
emotional
3 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Users express a strong emotional response to the game, highlighting feelings of disappointment and frustration, particularly in comparison to previous titles. The release is described as having lost its original charm, leading to a sense of an "abusive relationship" with the game, suggesting a deep emotional impact on players.
- “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.”
monetization
2 mentions
50 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
50 % negative 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 due to its $50 price tag for the base game.
- “There are no microtransactions, no loot crates, no DLCs, no subscription, no Game of the Year edition for 90€, and zero extra fees.”
- “Instead, they chose to cash grab for $50 from their community.”