Age of Magic gives you traditional linear RPG storytelling, but it combines it with a beat ‘em up formula to allow you to satisfy both your desire to hit things repeatedly, as well as your desire to level up incrementally.
With a story that seeks to propel you across the planet, you fight numerous types of enemies, teaming up along the way with heroes that initially try to utterly destroy you. However, you’re obviously amazing, so amazing then when defeated, enemy heroes will actually join you.
The combat system is turn-based, utilizing a system of one move per turn for each hero. Each turn, you may select one ability, each of which has an effect, whether offensive or defensive. When activated, a little animation plays for each ability, giving a very small notification along their health bar. Very helpfully, if you click on the character you get a list of all effects, bonuses and maluses, allowing you to plan your strategy accordingly.
The ability to play individual levels and the battles themselves actually costs energy that replenishes with time. This adds an element of an idler to the game, forcing you to wait before you can progress in the story. More energy can be purchased through microtransactions, or you can just consider it as the game gently reminding you to go outside once in a while.[sc name=”quote” text=” More energy can be purchased through microtransactions, or you can just consider it as the game gently reminding you to go outside once in a while.”]
There are a variety of weapons and equipment you can find during your quests that make your characters incrementally stronger. The bonuses gained from items are usually only very minuscule, but like all good games of this type, it’s the combination of many different artifacts that give you the real strengths.
Each combat is prefaced with a little cinematic where the combatants stand in an open field, staring menacingly at one another as the dialog boxes unfold, giving you some context as to why you’re fighting a giant cat in Paladin armour.
The star reward system for each level is based on the number of heroes you lose. Losing one hero means you lose a star and two heroes mean you lose two stars, obviously. This system of reward is clear and consistent, thankfully not died to the amount of damage received or some other nebulous statistic. Instead, it is obvious when you’ve lost a star as one of your heroes falls to the ground and makes a depressing, pithy comment.
Age of Magic is a traditional game, in the sense that it borrows from other clearly well-established titles. It manages to mix together a solid RPG system with a turn-based combat system, as well as incremental upgrades and gradual level progression.[sc name=”quote” text=” It manages to mix together a solid RPG system with a turn-based combat system, as well as incremental upgrades and gradual level progression.”]
The core gameplay is solid, the battles feel fair and consistent and the variety of different races and monsters you face feel fleshed out and actually alive.
Age of Magic may seem pretty standard, but it offers a unique experience that is hard to pass up.
[review pros=”Solid gameplay and enjoyable cinematics. The combat is simple and straightforward, yet has a layer of complexity.” cons=”It can feel a little silly watching you face down each enemy in turn before the fight actually starts.” score=8]
