Status:
Complete and Play Tested
For more games visit us on: https://www.bobshop.co.za/seller/4692286/Just_Press_Play_ZA
----------------------------------
Age of Wonders: Planetfall (PS4) Review
Developer: Triumph Studios
Publisher: Paradox Interactive
Genre: Turn-Based Strategy / 4X / Tactical RPG
Release: 2019
Age of Wonders: Planetfall takes the long-running Age of Wonders formula into science fiction, replacing traditional fantasy kingdoms with futuristic factions, alien worlds, cyborg armies and the remnants of a fallen galactic empire. It combines 4X empire management with XCOM-style tactical battles, creating a strategy game that is considerably deeper than it initially appears.
The result is an ambitious and highly replayable strategy experience. The learning curve is steep, particularly on PS4, but once its systems begin to make sense, Planetfall becomes an engrossing mixture of exploration, diplomacy, research, empire building and tactical warfare.
Gameplay & Mechanics
The game combines two interconnected layers.
On the strategic map, you establish colonies, annex sectors, collect resources, research technologies, negotiate with other factions and build armies. When armies encounter one another, combat can transition into a dedicated turn-based tactical battle.
This combination is the game's greatest strength.
The tactical battles are much more involved than simply comparing army strength. Units have different weapons, abilities, defensive systems and status effects, while positioning and cover can make a significant difference.
Strengths:
-
Excellent combination of 4X strategy and tactical combat.
-
Deep unit customisation.
-
Different factions encourage different strategies.
-
Strong research and technology systems.
-
Interesting diplomacy.
-
Hero commanders can level up and become more powerful.
-
Tactical battles reward careful positioning.
-
Numerous ways to approach victory.
Weaknesses:
-
Steep learning curve.
-
Large number of systems can initially be overwhelming.
-
Some menus and information can be difficult to navigate.
-
Strategic management can feel less varied than tactical combat.
-
Battles can become lengthy during larger campaigns.
The tactical layer is where Planetfall really shines. Flanking, cover, status effects, special abilities and unit synergies all need to be considered. Simply having a stronger army doesn't guarantee victory.
Factions & Customisation
One of the game's biggest strengths is its faction variety.
The major factions include:
-
Vanguard technologically advanced human soldiers.
-
Dvar heavily armed industrialists specialising in explosives and machinery.
-
Kir'Ko insectoid beings with powerful biological and psionic abilities.
-
Amazon technologically advanced warriors with a strong connection to nature.
-
Assembly cybernetic survivors who combine technology with biological components.
-
Syndicate stealth-focused specialists relying on espionage and advanced technology.
Each faction has its own units, technologies and play styles.
The game also allows you to combine factions with different Secret Technologies, further expanding customisation. This makes creating armies and experimenting with different combinations particularly enjoyable.
Unit modifications provide another layer of depth. Researching and equipping different modules can substantially alter how units perform in battle.
Exploration & World Design
The planetary maps are divided into sectors that contain resources, settlements, hazards, ruins and other points of interest.
Exploration isn't simply about expanding as quickly as possible. You need to consider what resources each sector provides and how its location fits into your growing empire.
The science-fiction setting works surprisingly well. The world is filled with the remnants of the Star Union, an enormous galactic civilisation that has collapsed, leaving abandoned facilities and mysterious ruins behind.
Exploring these locations gradually reveals more about what happened to the old civilisation.
However, the strategic layer doesn't always provide as many meaningful choices as the tactical combat. Some sectors are clearly more useful than others, making certain expansion decisions fairly obvious.
Final Verdict
Age of Wonders: Planetfall is an excellent strategy game that successfully combines two genres that don't always work together: 4X empire management and tactical turn-based combat.
The strategic layer provides plenty of opportunities to expand colonies, research technologies, negotiate with rival factions and customise armies, but the tactical battles are the real star. They provide meaningful decisions about positioning, abilities, equipment and unit composition, making each major encounter feel more involved than simply comparing statistics.
The science-fiction setting is also a major success. The six factions are sufficiently different to encourage multiple playthroughs, while the remnants of the fallen Star Union provide an interesting backdrop for exploration and discovery.
Its biggest weakness is accessibility. Newcomers are confronted with a huge amount of information, terminology and interconnected systems, while the PS4 interface can occasionally make that information difficult to digest. The strategic layer can also feel somewhat repetitive compared with the excellent tactical combat.
Once the systems click, however, Planetfall becomes extremely rewarding. The campaign is substantial, the random scenarios offer enormous replay value and the customisation possibilities provide plenty of reasons to experiment with different armies.
For PS4 players who enjoy deep strategy games and don't mind investing time into learning their systems, Age of Wonders: Planetfall is a highly recommended experience.
Score: 8.5/10
