Age of Wonders III - Golden Realms

 PC
User Score
8.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 109 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 91 out of 109
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 109
  3. Negative: 8 out of 109

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  1. Heinhaim
    Jan 30, 2015
    10
    What can i say, best combat turn-based strategy of decade got epic DLC. Domination mode in Multilayer worked even better than it looked on paper. Changes are that it brings are worth the price.
  2. DerMentat
    Jan 30, 2015
    10
    After 500 hours I can definitely say the replayability is huge! This might not be obvious at the beginning because the main differences don’t depend on the race (for example every race has an archer, a cavalry unit and some supporters as basic units) - but on the combination of race and class:
    So far there are 6 classes (Archdruid, Dreadnought, Theocrat, Rogue, Sorcerer, Warlord) and    After 500 hours I can definitely say the replayability is huge! This might not be obvious at the beginning because the main differences don’t depend on the race (for example every race has an archer, a cavalry unit and some supporters as basic units) - but on the combination of race and class:
    So far there are 6 classes (Archdruid, Dreadnought, Theocrat, Rogue, Sorcerer, Warlord) and every class provides lots of specific units and spells that harmonize differently with every race - the Mounted Archer of the Warlord is extremly impressive if you play Elves but on the other hand the Warlord Monster Hunter has great bonuses with Goblins; for draconian Theocrats Evangelists are very important units as they get additonal fire damage, however Orc Crusaders benefit from the ability tireless ...

    With the 6 classes and 7 races there are 42 possibilities for a combination. This provides easily variation for more than 500 hours.

    Besides there are even more elements that contribute to differences between every game:

    - Structures on the strategic map can increase the value of specific unit types or grant additional building options
    - Research is full of variety: You never research the same spells in the same order and have to adapt
    - Settings about the amount of independent towns and the strength of spawned creatures can change the game completely    … Expand
  3. R20
    Jan 30, 2015
    10
    Great DLC which adds new features and make game play more interesting. Mythical city upgrades definitely was super innovation which could change your battle experience. Buy it, you wouldn't regret it.
  4. comebackhome
    Jan 30, 2015
    10
    Amazing game, you will not regret buying. Anyone considering this should buy because it is a worthy investment both for your money and for your time spent as a gamer on this top quality product/company.
  5. Feldis
    Feb 9, 2015
    10
    A great meaty expansion filled with lots of new great content. Lots of new units, a new race and dwelling. Items, campaigns, structures. music etc, Everything you would wish for in a good expansion. It expands the Age of wonders world in a great way, if you love AOW3 and want more of it, then this is a must have!
  6. ed57ve
    Mar 15, 2015
    10
    a good DLC that add so much to the base of the game, a new race the halfings and a 3 mission based campaign with some references to Apocalypse Now, heart of darkness and to the che guevara, a new dwelling that harbor the nagas, a new victory condition and a partisan specialty, is all great
  7. esvath
    Sep 27, 2014
    10
    Golden Realm is an excellent expansion. It adds a new race, Halfling, which is very fun to play because of its unique Luck mechanic and a Wild Magic specialisation (well, two specialisations of Adept and Master) that very interesting to play.

    It also addresses the problem of "blandness" in cities by introducing buildings that only can be built with certain world improvements. That Vault    Golden Realm is an excellent expansion. It adds a new race, Halfling, which is very fun to play because of its unique Luck mechanic and a Wild Magic specialisation (well, two specialisations of Adept and Master) that very interesting to play.

    It also addresses the problem of "blandness" in cities by introducing buildings that only can be built with certain world improvements. That Vault of Knowledge is very useful now, since players can build a Focus Chamber in cities with Vault of Knowledge, and any archery units produced in the city will have increased power. Well, hello, deadly High Elven Mounted Archers!

    It would be a perfect 10 if GR also introduces a new class, but Triumph had declared that they will introduce Necromancer class in the next expansion.    … Expand
  8. JohnBarrett
    Sep 27, 2014
    10
    Great, well-priced expansion. The Halflings have some very interesting dynamics, with their racial unit lineup (The Halfling 'archer' unit - Jesters shooting fireworks!) and the Luck mechanic.

    The new specializations add a lot of possibilities! I haven't made a leader without Wild Magic since getting this gem - not because Wild Magic is OP or anything (though the mini elementals can get    Great, well-priced expansion. The Halflings have some very interesting dynamics, with their racial unit lineup (The Halfling 'archer' unit - Jesters shooting fireworks!) and the Luck mechanic.

    The new specializations add a lot of possibilities! I haven't made a leader without Wild Magic since getting this gem - not because Wild Magic is OP or anything (though the mini elementals can get pretty strong if you take good care of them) but it adds a slew of interesting, chaotic spells, useful for most everyone. Most of the original spells got healthy tweaks, too.

    Get it. It adds so much additional, fun stuff to AOW3.    … Expand
  9. Con1k
    Sep 26, 2014
    9
    For a fair price this DLC extends the gameplay of Age of Wonders a lot.

    City management becomes much more interesting with the new mythical city upgrades based on nearby sites. It is now possible and advantageous to focus a city on the production of certain units. The new race of halflings is a unique and fun addition to the roster. As the halflings special trait of luck scales with    For a fair price this DLC extends the gameplay of Age of Wonders a lot.

    City management becomes much more interesting with the new mythical city upgrades based on nearby sites. It is now possible and advantageous to focus a city on the production of certain units. The new race of halflings is a unique and fun addition to the roster. As the halflings special trait of luck scales with their morale, terrain becomes more important to consider.

    Finally the two new specialisations, wild magic and partisan, open up a lot more possibilities for existing strategies. What's left to be desired is the addition of another class but this may very well happen in the next DLC.

    The bare numbers: 20+ new units, 50+ new items, a new race, 2 specialisations, 2 scenarios, a campaign, 10+ City specialisations, new defensive structures and some new heroes.    … Expand
  10. SoVMatt
    Jan 19, 2015
    2
    Okay, i've played turn-based games for nearly 10 years consistantly, and i had my hopes set high after AoW2:SM.

    Pro's: Better graphics then previous games Cons: Where to start... Less units Less Strategy Less Spells Clunky Interface Limited Replayability A LOT less races Less items Less "unique" world feel Smaller Maps So, 'im sorry to say, but with all these steps backward    Okay, i've played turn-based games for nearly 10 years consistantly, and i had my hopes set high after AoW2:SM.

    Pro's: Better graphics then previous games
    Cons: Where to start...
    Less units
    Less Strategy
    Less Spells
    Clunky Interface
    Limited Replayability
    A LOT less races
    Less items
    Less "unique" world feel
    Smaller Maps

    So, 'im sorry to say, but with all these steps backward i cannot rate this above a 3. NO game should remove elements when making a sequel. They destroyed the fun of the series by reducing the amount of choices. If you want a game with so many possibilities your not bound by "he built this unit, so I HAVE to build this to counter it" then steer clear from this game and go back to AoW2.    … Expand
  11. kfarms
    Feb 2, 2015
    10
    Good expansion with a lot of continued producer support. Not a bug found in this game. They keep fine tuning and adding new content on multiple levels. Keep them coming Triumph Studios.

Awards & Rankings

44
#44 Best PC Game of 2014

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
82

Generally favorable reviews - based on 8 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. DarkStation
    Nov 10, 2014
    90
    If you played through the campaign in Age of Wonders III and you are looking to get a jolt of fresh energy out of the game, then the Golden Realms expansion should have what you are looking for.
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  2. Riot Pixels
    Oct 19, 2014
    79
    Age of Wonders 3 combined with this expansion is definitely worth buying now.
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  3. Softpedia
    Oct 6, 2014
    85
    Golden Realms packs everything that you would want to have added to the base game: a better late gameplay experience, quests that offer milestones as the game progresses, letting you know how everyone fares, some truly interesting spells, and a unique new faction to pilot.
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