9/10 Paradox strategy game Age of Wonders 4 is about to get better with new DLC

You've got Civilization 7, Stellaris, Age of Empires 2, and Manor Lords - in one sense, the 4X and strategy game world is livelier than ever. But some of those names may also feel a little familiar by now. If you've put hours into Firaxis' tentpole series and exhausted some of Paradox's other mainstays, Age of Wonders 4 is the ideal, less-exposed alternative. The ratings are big (we gave it 9/10) and the gameplay is a mix of traditional expansion, extermination, exploration, and exploitation with smaller-scale tactical combat. If you've never given AoW 4 a shot, now is definitely the time. Archon Prophecy, the new Age of Wonders 4 DLC, has a release date, and brings dozens of new features to one of strategy genre's greatest sleeper hits.

"This is undoubtedly the best 4X game I've played in years," says Ian Boudreau in our Age of Wonders 4 review. Developed by Triumph and published by Paradox, at first glance, Age of Wonders 4 may look like Civ 7 in a fantasy rather than historical setting, but it has a lot more unique ideas. Each game is influenced by organic narrative events, which can vastly alter your strategy and push your tactics in different directions. Your choices also directly impact your populace. As the ruler of a magical society, by combining traits, powers, and tomes, you can literally shape your people, creating a race of cannibal elves or sentient, anthropomorphic unicorns.

Originally released in 2023, six DLC packs have been released for Age of Wonders 4 already. Now, Archon Prophecy is on its way. Here, you can take control of the eponymous angelic armies, in a battle against AoW 4's gloomy underlords, the Urrath. You have two new forms that you can use to shape your population, four new tomes, fresh story realms, a new hero class called the Battlesaint, and an extra narrative event.

There are also new wildlife units, new mounts, map updates, and additional music from composer Michiel van den Bos. The paid DLC will be launched alongside the free Griffon update, which gives all AoW 4 players new faction data, extra form characteristic in the shape of flaws, and updates to several hero classes. The Age of Wonders 4 Archon Prophecy release date is confirmed for Tuesday August 12. You can already wishlist the DLC right here.

Otherwise, try some of the best strategy games, or maybe some of the best RTS games available on PC.

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