Age of Wonders: Shadow Magic (2003)

I would like to give this game a 3.5, not as good as AOW2 but a worthy addition to the series. a couple new factions, the demons and the syrons. i found the syrons boring apart from the lightning throwers, the demons are brilliant, bombard artillery, strong combat units and a ruthless mind hive. The story is interesting but disappointing in its absence, i know keeping a certain amount of mystery is good but you have give the audience something substantial.

after the events of the previous game i would have expected more interpersonal relationships between the various wizards but they are lacking in connection, almost like they were written into the story at the last minute. Vorsar and the emperor were the most interesting characters for me, the emperor although malevolent was not pure evil, he had an ideology that had been justified in his mind and you could kind of understand his position. Vorsar was the emperors power dog, betrayed he became a mad dog, independent of any master, unable to believe he had been betrayed, crazed nutcase. the campaign in the desert i found interesting but lacking, meandor was back but again not used well enough.

there is a well earned good feeling when you collect your ally's, the ending wasn't exactly a lame duck but perhaps too basic. regardless i really enjoyed this game from start to finish and would happily play again- looking forward to number 3 when i get the time.