Sorcerer King

 PC
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 21 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 21
  3. Negative: 1 out of 21
  1. GameOver.gr
    Oct 14, 2015
    70
    A fine example of 4X strategy, Sorcerer King may not have what it takes to compare with the best of its genre; nonetheless, it’s a great and uncomplicated first step for newcomers, offering at the same time a substitute for veterans.
  2. PC PowerPlay
    Sep 9, 2015
    70
    An interesting take on a classic genre, with some great writing and variably rich worlds to explore. [Sept 2015, p.62]
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  3. CGMagazine
    Sep 1, 2015
    70
    The fiendishly nerdy control over all the little details can be very rewarding; it’s just a shame that I’ve yet to find a middle-ground the game’s balance of power.
  5. DarkStation
    Aug 27, 2015
    70
    In the end though, I put more time into each of the Age of Wonders III expansion packs than I put into Sorcerer King, because they were just better games.
  6. Shacknews
    Aug 8, 2015
    70
    Sorcerer King has a lot of great ideas, but they don't necessarily come together well. Level progression is slow, so losing experienced soldiers is extremely painful. Oftentimes, the game has you wandering the world, trying to complete a vague quest, and hoping that it will bring you closer to defeating the King.
  7. Hooked Gamers
    Jul 16, 2015
    68
    It's not a bad game, but imagine the possibilities if we can play with the other races, if the AI would do more than standing around, and if ranged units were more than fluff. You'd have a game that can measure itself with the best 4X games on the market! Until it does, it's the little engine that could, but did not.
  8. Game World Navigator Magazine
    Sep 25, 2015
    66
    To increase gameplay speed, Stardock had to sacrifice a lot; perhaps, too much. Building variety went down the drain, you don’t have to balance the budget because concept of money is gone, and tech trees regressed back to Master of Magic-style magic books. [Issue#201, p.66]
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  9. Gamers' Temple
    Aug 13, 2015
    65
    I had some fun with Sorcerer King at first and liked some of the concepts it introduces into the fantasy kingdom game formula. However, it feels like things just don't come together well, and that overall the game is light on content and one-dimensional.
  10. GamesVillage.it
    Jul 28, 2015
    60
    Sorcerer King has a couple of interesting and original features, but Stardock focused a little bit too much on them, overlooking the pillars of the 4X genre, especially the AI of the enemies and the variety of the playable races. It's not a bad game, but definitely overpriced for what it can offer.
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  1. Rock, Paper, Shotgun
    Jan 19, 2016
    Age of Wonders III does the big fantasy conquest thing if that’s what you’re looking for, and Stardock’s own Fallen Enchantress is worth a look as well. Sorcerer King deserves plaudits for being something altogether different rather than yet another iteration of a game we’ve been playing for decades.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
6.1

Mixed or average reviews- based on 51 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 51
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 51
  3. Negative: 18 out of 51
  1. Czar
    Jul 16, 2015
    10
    I love the turn based 4x style game. I have played all of the stardock variations. And this one is simply brilliant. You have lost the war,I love the turn based 4x style game. I have played all of the stardock variations. And this one is simply brilliant. You have lost the war, now it is time to ensure you don't cease to exist. While the Sorcerer King is busy trying to destroy the shards in order to ascend to godhood you have to build your rag tag empire up out of the muck and not only prevent it happening but take him down. This game has the "just-one-more-turn" factor in spades. I have spent over 60 hours on it already and most of that was during beta development. If you enjoy fantasy 4x games then this is a must-get game. It is not difficult to get into it but the replay value is enormous and each time the game feels different. Different adversaries, different heroes and magic all make sure that the game has a great deal of variation.… Full Review »
  2. Yosa
    Jul 16, 2015
    2
    I gave it less time than I normally would a 4x game as they are not a very good game format; legendary heroes changed my mind on that last andI gave it less time than I normally would a 4x game as they are not a very good game format; legendary heroes changed my mind on that last and I had hoped this would be a continuation on the work, it has some familiar options and other mimickery, but dissapointed me rather quick.

    This game adopts most aspects of civilization in reguards to city building and turns, it has a main character and as such makes use of rpg elements; the main game is simplified and the ui is more limited, the loot system imediatly turned me off.

    The grafix are undetailed, mediocre and bland unmemorable thing.

    I enjoy legendary heroes now and then, this game I will give a good go one more time to be fair, mabey I played too little to see it properly, some effort went into it, just seemed watered down.    … Full Review »
  3. Demonk
    Jul 21, 2015
    1
    i had such high hopes for this game, i expected Fallen Enchantres improved. Instead we got boring game with 0 replayability value. Campaigni had such high hopes for this game, i expected Fallen Enchantres improved. Instead we got boring game with 0 replayability value. Campaign gets boring after 2 hours. AI does not exist. 1 faction only. I finished game on Insane difficulty in 3 hours / never going back to it.. shame… Full Review »
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