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Age of Wonders 3 expansion 'Golden Realms' announced
The Age of Wonders 3 will expand into "Golden Realms" next month. The first premium expansion for the game adds a new race, campaign, 20 new units, specializations and loads more stuff. Although it looks like fans of the series were hoping for Frostlings as the first new race, it turns out that Halflings will be the new species on the block – don't worry, there's more expansions coming. The Golden Realms campaign involves helping the Halfling survivors of the Heartwood Massacre rebuild, with new enemies like Naga (fish-snake people) trying to hamper their expansion. Golden Realms has yet to be priced, but will be available as DLC from Steam and GoG on September 18.
Gods will be patched with Age of Wonders 3 v1.09
The first official patch for Age of Wonders 3 is live. Version 1.09 of Triumph Studios' recent release corrects hardware-specific issues, registration problems, optimizes game performance and tweaks AI behavior as well as adding critical balance fixes to the game. Based on feedback, the developer has also added a few other features, such as an option for quick saving and native high resolution support up to 2560x1440 / 2560x1600. The patch is available as an automatic download via Steam or as a separate file via GOG.com. Age of Wonders 3 is a strategic role-playing game Joystiq's Earnest Cavalli called "as glorious a resurrection as the series could have hoped for," in his glowing review. Age of Wonders 3 v1.09 change log can be found after the break. [Image: Triumph Studios]
Roll your own adventure with the free Age of Wonders 3 level editor
Following the debut of the excellent turn-based strategy game Age of Wonders 3 on March 31, developer Triumph Studios has simultaneously announced and launched a map editor for those who prefer crafting their own worlds to relying on the game's random map generator. "The map making community has been super important to Age of Wonders, they have helped keep the series alive for over 10 years since the release of the previous title," wrote Triumph development director Lennart Sas in this morning's announcement. According to Triumph, the editor will allow players to craft new maps and scenarios using the deep well of content included with Age of Wonders 3. With a bit of extra effort, those more dedicated (or finicky) creators can customize the game even further by importing their own audio and art assets to customize story cutscenes, campaigns and individual heroes. Best of all, the Age of Wonders 3 map editor is now available at no charge. Those who own Age of Wonders 3 will now find a new option in the game's launcher which will fire up the gratis editor. [Image: Triumph Studios]
Age of Wonders 3 review: Sleep when you're dead
Last Saturday, at about four in the morning, I found myself locked in a war of attrition with an angry orc. He'd sacked almost the entirety of my kingdom, forcing my meager remaining troops to hole up in a labyrinthine cave system beneath the surface. There I waited, biding my time, as my generals rallied new soldiers. A few dwarven prospectors, a human assassin and a pair of red dragons eventually joined our ranks. As I once again spurred my faithful giant lizard steed onward toward daylight, I could clearly make out cries of terror in the guttural patois of the ruling orcish class. In the end, I lost that fight. The orcs fell, but a few hundred turns later I was betrayed by a High Elf who had, up until that point, been a useful ally. The world of Age of Wonders 3 is a cruel place, but it's also incredibly addicting. Moments after my former ally ended my quest, I started a new one, this time as a Goblin religious zealot with a fondness for arson.
Meet The Warlord in this lengthy Age of Wonders 3 walkthrough
In lieu of yet another typically brief trailer for Age of Wonders 3, the latest glimpse at the high-fantasy, turn-based strategy game is a nearly 20-minute long primer on the Warlord Leader Class. [Image: Triumph Studios]
Age of Wonders 3 launches Mar. 31, pre-orders get passport to Elven woods
Triumph Studios' turn-based strategy game Age of Wonders 3 will launch on PC next month, on March 31. The fantasy game was originally due late last year, but had to be pushed back for "additional polish." All those who pre-purchase the game through GOG or Steam will be guaranteed an additional mission, playable in both single-player and multiplayer. Called "Elven Resurgence," this mission takes travelers to Heartwood Forest – once a meeting place for the Elven High Court, the forest is now an abandoned battlefield where scattered clans of Elves wage war for its control. Age of Wonders 3 will be available in both a standard version for $40 and a deluxe edition for $45. The latter tosses in the Age of Wonders 3 soundtrack and an additional single-player mission revolving around eight lords feuding over a discovered dragon's egg.
Meet the rogue in latest Age of Wonders 3 footage
As Age of Wonders 3 is a game about leading nations into conflict, its rogues are less "deadly shadows" and more "subtle, calculating political agents." Think: Richard Nixon, only with a diabolical army of bearded succubi.
Age of Wonders 3 delayed to Q1 2014
Age of Wonders 3 needs a little more time to create wonderment, with developer Triumph Studios announcing the game will be delayed until the first quarter of 2014. It was originally scheduled between the ages of fascination and amazement for this autumn. "Age of Wonders 3 is the largest game in the series and with the additional polish we hope we can give you an even better experience," wrote Triumph Community Manager Jimmy van der Have. From here on out Triumph says it will be "organizing several events," along with a pre-order promotion and showing off the game to press at Gamescom in August. Triumph returned to the turn-based Age of Wonders after an extended hiatus creating the Overlord series. Since Minecraft creator Markus "Notch" Persson is helping fund development on AoW3, Triumph doesn't need to worry about shipping the game before it's ready (within reason).
GOG gets magically strategic with the release of Age of Wonders 2
Digital distributor GOG recently acquired yet another classic title, capable of devouring entire portions of your day wholesale for meager sums of money: Triumph Studios' turn-based strategy sequel Age of Wonders 2: The Wizard's Throne. For those not in the know, the game sees you building a kingdom and exploring ancient, dangerous lands -- only this time around, you're not a disembodied, floating hand, but a wizard. Based on the title, we're assuming a seated wizard. The game, which was originally released in 2002, comes packed with some desktop wallpapers and an official soundtrack -- a tidy little bundle that's available now for $9.99.
Metareview: Overlord 2
All hail Overlord 2! Well, OK, so don't everyone hail, but one may genuflect if one wishes. It appears that the game has been slightly enhanced since the first outing, but it's still just not clicking. We've given our "snap judgment" on the evil baiting master simulator, but let's see what the other outlets thought. Much like the original, it appears people's opinions are all across the board. 1UP (A-): "So no, it's not an entirely perfect experience. But all of the above complaints -- even combined with my minor irritation with details like the marionette-like cut scene animation -- barely contests my overall joy at just playing this damn thing. The original Overlord was a perfect send-up and reversal of fantasy game clichés, and the sequel is even more satisfying while fixing a lot of the first game's rough patches." OXM (80/100): "To be fair, most parts of Overlord II are fun, and its problems are offset by high production values and funny dialogue (oh, those minions!). A lot of folks missed the original game, so here's your second chance: Overlord II preserves what worked last time, improves what didn't, and tries several new ideas on for size." Eurogamer (80/100): "Overall, in what has been a pretty underwhelming year for games so far, Overlord II feels like a shining beacon of quality. Not only is it a distinct improvement on the original, but the new features add greatly to what was already a superbly entertaining game." Game Informer (65/100): "The real shame is that Overlord II can be entertaining. It shamelessly embraces its evil heritage, and goes to great lengths to put the hilarious minions front and center. On the other hand, it just doesn't play well. The controls are clunky, the pacing is unsatisfying, and the multiplayer feels tacked-on. While the original Overlord was a compelling game at heart, Overlord II just feels like an unpolished retread of familiar ground." IGN (60/100): "Overlord II is a sequel that is neither bigger nor better than its predecessor. The size and scope have been dialed back to something that is more akin to a straight action game. And since none of the frustrating elements of the first have been fixed -- namely the camera, control, and save structure -- this game just isn't much fun. No amount of British wit could bring a smile to my face as I treaded through the tedium that is Overlord II." %Gallery-48075%
Snap Judgment: Overlord 2
With limited time in the day to review all the games we want to tell you about, some have a habit of falling through the cracks before we've been able to get our thoughts onto the site. In the hopes of remedying that, we've created a new feature we're calling Snap Judgment. Here's the gist: We'll play enough of the game to get the lay of the land -- what we liked, what we didn't, etc. -- and then pass our opinions on to you. It's not a full "review" in the traditional sense, but we're hoping you'll scroll away just a bit more informed.So, shall we?%Gallery-48075%
Hands-on: Overlord II
The original Overlord was a flawed game with a subversively chewy center. The only thing Overlord II needs to deliver to outdo the original is some polish, which is something we can't really tell is present from messing around with a demo for 10 minutes. That doesn't mean we didn't like what we saw, it's simply noting that Overlord's flaws didn't become strikingly clear until later in the game. The latest title has the same whimsical art style as the original, but this time magic is starting to disappear from the world. The Overlord will not only battle a comical version of the Roman empire (Asterix and Obelix fans will notice immediately), but will be an antihero to the loss of magic in the world.A demo for the game is available now on Xbox Live and PSN, but it picks up where the E3 demo leaves off.%Gallery-48075%
Overlord II DLC to be available 'closer to release'
As development winds down on Triumph and Codemasters' upcoming sequel Overlord II, we're comforted with the fact that downloadable content is planned, is in the works and will be available closer to the game's retail release."The DLC for Overlord 1 was an experiment for both Triumph and Codemasters, but perhaps it came a little too late after the release to appeal to all Overlord's players," admitted creative director Lennart Sas. "The plan for Overlord II is to have the DLC out closer to release," adding that "Overlord II is already a lot prettier than the original."A prettier Overlord that is (hopefully) less buggy, full of content and already has timely DLC planned? We applaud the effort. Just don't make the DLC feel like it should have been in the retail copy and we'll be cool.
Overlord overload: Sequel incoming, new versions planned for Wii, DS
Triumph Studios' excellent (but flawed) Overlord will receive a sequel on Xbox 360, PS3 and PC, along with new versions for the Wii and DS, all scheduled for 2009. IGN reports Overlord II will have smarter minions who can ride mounts, use war machines and sail ships. The scope of the game world has been broadened in the sequel and the controls for the Pikmin-style gameplay have been "greatly improved." We loved the first game, and it's great to hear about all these improvements for the sequel, but we hope "polish" is a word that Triumph doesn't forget this time around.The Overlord franchise will also spawn Overlord Dark Legend on Wii by Climax Studios, an "all new game" penned by Rhianna Pratchett. The game seems to be set in the original Overlord's world with many of the same characters, but with the inclusion of some fractured fairy tale aspect. Finally, on DS (and also by Climax Studios), Overlord Minion will present players with a puzzle action game. OK, does that about cover all the Overlord info? Good, all hail the Overlord!Source -- Overlord 2: Xbox 360, PS3, PCSource -- Overlord Dark Legend: WiiSource -- Overlord Minion: DS
Next year, the minions will return in Overlord II
Great news for the Minion slave driving fanboys among us! Codemasters just announced Overlord II and that it is currently in development for release on the 360, PS3 and Wii sometime in 2009. Huzzah!Developer Triumph Studios promises that the sequel "massively increases the scope of the original concept," being a much more realistic, less fantasy driven Overlord where players will encounter political problems and environmental issues all while remaining true to Overlord's unique style of Minion commanding humor. Fart jokes included. And, heck, the sequel looks much prettier too. We can't wait![Thanks, Dark Caboose]
Overlord confirmed for PS3
It's taken them a while to admit it, but publisher Codemasters is finally ready to confirm the existence of Overlord on PS3, due for release this summer.Titled Overlord: Raising Hell (ouch), the PS3 version will include all the downloadable content previously released for the Xbox 360 and PC versions on one shiny, blu-ray disc. Aside from this additional content, the game will remain unchanged from its predecessors, for better or for worse. Minions ahoy![Via PS3 Fanboy]
IGN UK rates Overlord; Verdict: Impressive
IGN UK got their hands on the retail build of Overlord, and have given the game its rounds and came back with a nice review, scoring an 8.1 . Those who liked the demo will be happy to hear that the cool experiences had in that initial level continue on through the game, with capabilities of having 50 minions on screen with no slow down. Their only gripes, gameplay wise, was that it appears to require backtracking in order to summon particular minions for their specialties later on in a given level. They also felt the multiplayer felt "tacked-on" to the over all experience. So, if you want an advance look at what's coming your way later this month, click the "Read" link.
X3F hands-on: Overlord
Somewhere, deep down, we had a feeling we were going to like Triumph Studios' Overlord. The screens we'd seen looked polished and the trailers exuded a certain charm that piqued our interest from the beginning. As such, we were eager to try out the demo that was released on Xbox Live Marketplace earlier today. After a few run-throughs of the fairly short demo, we think we've reached a fair assessment of what the game has to offer. So, is Overlord the game of your (evil) dreams? Read on to find out.%Gallery-3359%
Video: Overlord media blitz begins
Judging by the increasing amount of promotional material floating around the net, Codemasters really wants Overlord to be a success. New videos are starting to come out at a daily pace, revealing the game's plot and unique gameplay elements. The first video (above) gives a brief outline of the game's story. As the new Overlord, it is your job to rebuild your dark tower as well as punish the "heroes" who destroyed it in the first place. The second video (embedded after the break) shows off a trait displayed by your minions. Labeled, "Commandment One" of "The Six Minion Commandments" the video shows players that minions will always bring you any loot that they find. We must admit, we're really starting to like the idea of dimwitted minions who will perform all of our nefarious bidding. Overlord comes out later this month.
New Overlord multiplayer details rounded up
Overlord is set to launch this month from Codemasters, and a NeoGAF post has rounded up a few multiplayer details for would-be Overlords everywhere. As you would expect, the multiplayer modes all involve the use of your minions to achieve certain goals. The first mode is Deathmatch, which plays out the same way it sounds. Of course, the difference here is that dozens (possibly hundreds) of minions will be facing each other at the bidding of their masters. Co-op mode has you and a friend unleashing your minions upon hordes of enemies. Again, the amount of characters on screen is supposed to be very hefty indeed. Finally, there is another mode called Plunder Challenge, in which players compete to gather (read: steal) the most treasure.Also, Triumph Studios is planning on releasing new multiplayer maps as well as an additional single-player chapter as downloadable content in the future. There are also plans to expand the game's roster of 25 monsters and add new weaponry. Sounds great, doesn't it? Now how about a demo, Codemasters? Please?
