Age of Wonders: Shadow Magic

 PC
User Score
8.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 135 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 117 out of 135
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 135
  3. Negative: 6 out of 135
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  1. KanaK.
    Sep 25, 2003
    10
    Very well done game in EVERY aspect! Music, sounds, graphics, (aren't top notch but they don't have to be!) gameplay and every bug they found is squished! A perfect addition to any Strategy game fan! (it's also pretty newbie friendly. So it's easy to get in the game, but it's not easy to get good!)
  2. ChristopherD.
    Sep 11, 2003
    10
    It is a excellent addition to the Age of Wonders series. Although the actual maps aready generated are not condusive of LAN or multiplay the random Map Generator more than makes up for it. The new races are an excellent addition to the already large selection. The new spells are a must and the graphics haven't let us down. overall I was well impressed with this thrid part imstallment It is a excellent addition to the Age of Wonders series. Although the actual maps aready generated are not condusive of LAN or multiplay the random Map Generator more than makes up for it. The new races are an excellent addition to the already large selection. The new spells are a must and the graphics haven't let us down. overall I was well impressed with this thrid part imstallment to a excellent gaming series.… Expand
  3. weaselfeet
    Oct 25, 2011
    10
    I bought this game at launch and 8yrs later it is still played by the whole family for at least a couple of months each year. We keep going back to it and have a great time when we do. It's well balanced in the main with only a couple of exceptions and these can be countered with a thoughtfully built stack of units.
    The AI is competent, on the medium settings it can be quite challenging in    I bought this game at launch and 8yrs later it is still played by the whole family for at least a couple of months each year. We keep going back to it and have a great time when we do. It's well balanced in the main with only a couple of exceptions and these can be countered with a thoughtfully built stack of units.
    The AI is competent, on the medium settings it can be quite challenging in the early to mid game and on the harder settings it can crush you if you allow war on more than one front. There is a great variety of playable racesunits and magic specialisation, this combined with the wealth of community made maps and the excellent map generator offer infinite re playability.
    This is without doubt the best successor to Master of Magic and a "must have" for any strategy gamer from the more casual through to total grognards.    … Expand
  4. BrianW.
    May 31, 2004
    10
    The articles up at the top got it right. Something I didn't see mentioned that needs to be there is the awesome editor and modding capabilities of this beautiful engine. The community has made scores of maps that rival the developers' maps, and some so heavily modded as to represent the entire Lord of the Rings cast of characters and creatures. On top of that, I have yet to see The articles up at the top got it right. Something I didn't see mentioned that needs to be there is the awesome editor and modding capabilities of this beautiful engine. The community has made scores of maps that rival the developers' maps, and some so heavily modded as to represent the entire Lord of the Rings cast of characters and creatures. On top of that, I have yet to see a strategy game with graphics even close to this one. HoMM4, Civ3, you name it, is buried next to this title as strategy behemoth.… Expand
  5. CannibalBob
    Oct 21, 2008
    9
    I LOVE this game. The amount of detail put in is astounding, both on the global and combat level. Leveling characters and looting is also fun on its own. The graphics have very nice effects but sadly are not aging very well. Higher resolution sprites would most likely solve the problem. AOWSM also has a surprisingly active community.

    The game has a few flaws, such as AI being...    I LOVE this game. The amount of detail put in is astounding, both on the global and combat level. Leveling characters and looting is also fun on its own. The graphics have very nice effects but sadly are not aging very well. Higher resolution sprites would most likely solve the problem. AOWSM also has a surprisingly active community.

    The game has a few flaws, such as AI being... not very smart, as well as a few bugs (movement bugs, some mouse-wheel scroll bugs etc). The flaws are pretty minor, though, as the good things in the game far outweigh the bad.    … Expand
  6. Dethedrus
    Jul 31, 2003
    10
    Enough new content to qualify as a major upgrade, plus smoother graphics and a random scenario generator. Damn fine work Triumph!
  7. JoaquinDaSilva
    Aug 18, 2003
    9
    One of the best TBS games out there so far. Deep strategy, interesting RPG factor, fun and addictive gameplay. Its for sure a must have.
  8. Reas
    Sep 10, 2012
    10
    This is the best turn based game I've ever played!!! I really love these type of games, but this franchise is soooo superior compared to HOMM!! I really hope that one day that a new one will arise!
  9. test134
    Jun 20, 2013
    10
    Great Game!
    I'm still playing it ten years after its release by email with some guys at Age of Wonders Heaven Forum.
    Very fun to play with friends or even the against AI can be amusing, although unofficial mods are needed to make them smarter/stronger, if you know the game well.
  10. overfiend87
    Aug 7, 2013
    9
    Anyone who likes strategy games will love this game. There is also a interesting story involving strang and terrorfying shadow-creatures from a evil realm. the gameplay is great and I love turn-based strategt games like this and if you like the sound of this you should get it
  11. Raziel72
    Aug 7, 2022
    8
    В чем-то эта игра круче Героев 3))) меня наверное за это забьют палками, но это мое мнение! Тут нет 10 000 монстров в 1ячейке, тут 1 монстр - это 1 монстр! И он слегка прокачивается и становится чуточку круче от убийств! Можно самому создавать предметы для героев, ставить новые города и творить глобальную магию!В чем-то эта игра круче Героев 3))) меня наверное за это забьют палками, но это мое мнение! Тут нет 10 000 монстров в 1ячейке, тут 1 монстр - это 1 монстр! И он слегка прокачивается и становится чуточку круче от убийств! Можно самому создавать предметы для героев, ставить новые города и творить глобальную магию!
  12. DaMan
    Sep 7, 2004
    8
    GREAT music! well balanced spells and units nice graphics However, this game lacks the wonderful story of the original and a longlasting campaign (instead of small campaigns). My verdict: an 8.
  13. RedKey
    Jan 3, 2013
    10
    This game and the original Age of Wonders are still my favorite fantasy strategy games even though it has been almost 10 years since Shadow Magic came out. The variety of races, units, and spells gives the game near infinite replay value. This game has just the right blend of combat, exploration, research, and RPG elements. City management and diplomacy are quite simple but I prefer itThis game and the original Age of Wonders are still my favorite fantasy strategy games even though it has been almost 10 years since Shadow Magic came out. The variety of races, units, and spells gives the game near infinite replay value. This game has just the right blend of combat, exploration, research, and RPG elements. City management and diplomacy are quite simple but I prefer it that way. There are also many user created mods and scenarios that enhance the game.… Expand
  14. Me
    Nov 12, 2007
    8
    Not bad. Not bad at all. If I had never played Master of Magic, I would probably think this is one of the best strategy games ever. It does a few things better than MoM (quests), and a few things worse (the spells are less numerous and less varied and imaginative, there is not enough distinction between the colors of magic: many spells are essentially different colored version of the same Not bad. Not bad at all. If I had never played Master of Magic, I would probably think this is one of the best strategy games ever. It does a few things better than MoM (quests), and a few things worse (the spells are less numerous and less varied and imaginative, there is not enough distinction between the colors of magic: many spells are essentially different colored version of the same spell). Anyway, this game does enough things worse that, while an excellent game, MoM is still better.… Expand
  15. Voyou
    Sep 5, 2016
    5
    Don't expect a review of the multiplayer options, the editor or the mods. I don't have time for these. I'm happy enough when I find time for playing solo. Anyway, I did notice that the game offers plenty of these options, which is a good thing if they work (you'll check that in other reviews.)

    This addition to the genre has many more features than its competitors of the day. Too many if    Don't expect a review of the multiplayer options, the editor or the mods. I don't have time for these. I'm happy enough when I find time for playing solo. Anyway, I did notice that the game offers plenty of these options, which is a good thing if they work (you'll check that in other reviews.)

    This addition to the genre has many more features than its competitors of the day. Too many if you ask me, as it becomes perhaps overcomplicated, but what is of little interest to me is a turn on for others. In fact, in general, I like the features. It's the interface to use them that I find improperly adapted, tabs cluttered with hard to read texts and numbers, a microscopic, useless minimap, unintuitive series of clicks, and so on. Another issue of mine is that the game is very battle oriented, to the detriment of exploration.

    But let's face it: the real problem is that the graphics, as pretty as they might be, are an unclear mess when it comes to actual play. Half the time I can't see enemy units, often not even mine. I can't see bonus trees and magic bushes. I'm never sure on which hexagon I'm standing. Possibly the most annoying is that I never know if I'm going to click on my wizard or on the city. In fact I never know who is defending a city, as there is no clean garrisoning system and cities are where I lose sight of my units the most. The button for cycling is not that great a solution. I know, it doesn't help that I play in short sessions separated by weeks.

    As for the music, I turn off the annoyance, like in 90% of games. I don't lower the rating for this (I give a point when a music compels me to keep it on.) I mention it because, with the music off, I notice that the sound effects are mediocre at best. As mediocre as the animations.

    Still a decent title for strategy buffs, but I believe it requires a strong investment and long sessions.    … Expand
  16. Edo
    Nov 20, 2003
    9
    The best fantasy strategic game available!!! Even the old might Master Of Magic (from which this game derives) is inferior to it! REALLY A GREAT GAME!!!
  17. AlK.
    Oct 1, 2005
    9
    Pinpoint graphics to the point where I can see all the individual hairs on an orc's head aren't necessary to have a good game. Awesome units, magic, and brilliant strategy based maps are what keeps my mind coming back for more.
  18. FredB.
    Dec 11, 2006
    9
    A great TBS game with beautiful graphics and highly tactical gameplay. Adds what the Wizard's Throne lacked and then some. It will provide many hours of entertainment (literally, since that's how TBS games are).
  19. DorlGaming
    Jun 6, 2023
    10
    Huge breakthrough compared to the previous part in all aspects of the game. Everything in the game is honed to the max, you can only pick on it. Great DLC too. After the training missions, it was immediately clear that this is a masterpiece.

Awards & Rankings

37
#37 Best PC Game of 2003
60
#60 Most Discussed PC Game of 2003
59
#59 Most Shared PC Game of 2003

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
82

Generally favorable reviews - based on 22 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 22
  3. Negative: 0 out of 22
  1. Yahoo!
    90
    A perfect place to jump into the Age of Wonders series. It's "Age of Wonders II," only sporting a few refinements and a lot of extra content.
    Read full review
  2. Computer Gaming World
    90
    The largest maps, which have three different levels of land, can provide dozens of hours of gameplay. [Nov 2003, p.128]
  3. IGN
    85
    There's lots of new stuff to play with, many new units, many new spells, plenty of campaign scenarios, single scenarios, and a random map generator that actually works like it's supposed to.
    Read full review
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