Age of Wonders

I'll admit, I'm what most people would call a care-bear. I have no problems with this label. I play games to have fun, to enjoy the story and gameplay itself. This is why I typically enjoy RTS / empire sim games such as Masters of Magic, HoMM, and now Age of Wonders via single-player. This is also why I have no qualms setting the difficulty to 'easy' to ease myself into it, and raise it as I find the game too easy or think I would enjoy a more challenging play. This is not the case with Age of Wonders. Each game, even on easy, is so merciless and unforgivingly difficult I had trouble scavenging even a mote of enjoyment out of them. I love the graphics, I love the character customization and empire building. And I LOVE the battle style. Which is why it's so hard for me to rate this game as I have, because everything is there for a stellar experience. But I can't even get past the first mission no matter how many times I try, or what methods I attempt. The enemy AI, quite simply, overpowers me everytime without fail. I build up a small army, maybe 3 detachments stacked with 8 units apiece...the enemy surrounds them effortlessly with 25+ units and destroys me. I fend them off, I fortify my towns and prepare for the onslaught...they seize my resources and then simply wait me out knowing they can win such wars of attrition. I get a 'GAME OVER' screen, they cannot. In the end, while I applaud the creativity and style this game accomplishes, I cannot recommend it to any save the most masochistic and hardcore of RTS fans. I, myself, am quite turned off of this series. Guess it's back to Masters of Magic for me.

This game will steal you away into a world of fantasy and lore. The presentation and interface is virtually flawless. The strategy and tactical battles are epic. Of all the games I have ever played this one is the closest to perfect

the game keeps crashing or freezing

sadly didnt have time to get in to the map

Not sure why all the things that were recommended did not stop the error exception during draw surface. This was the only game I have downloaded that would not run correctly. Kudo's to the tech support for all their help in trying and they did let me choose another game. I like doing business with a company that backs their products.