Master of Magic: Scourge of the Seas

The TLDR is that players who in other contexts appreciate naval/maritime/amphibious themes might dig up much to enjoy in this specific expansion. Others may not find it worth their money. So if you’re an aficionado of such themes, read on: The package looks modest: 1 alluring new faction, 2-4 each of new resources, heroes, units, lairs. & then some new traits - Sea Master, Sea Hunter, Pirate, Tactician - which I consider this DLC’s true engine, basic though each trait seems on its own. A warning however about the most radically alluring (but still optional) trait, Pirate. It’s a VERY different way of playing: In essence, you ditch “Xpansion” - from one of the most crudely 4X of all 4X games ever… It’s thus debatable whether it can even be played - I couldn’t. Ragequit multiple attempts, despite usually doing fine on the game’s hard difficulties - & despite finding much in these attempts refreshing & instructive. Note that, because (for the logistics sim of it) I still wanted to play men who must physically get in/out of ships, I didn’t play here as the new faction, “Scourgers”, which seems more tailored for this mode. So the devs did right to invent this trait - even if it might end up more gimmicky than truly functional. But synergy is the key. True, none of the new units, lairs, resources &c look - or even play - that great stand-alone. But together they synergise impressively. So if you resolutely opt for a *maritime* run, strongly centred on such strategies, you gain a surprisingly fresh Master of Magic. Yet 100 % recognisable as the base game (once I finally decided to avoid picking the Pirate trait). M of M was always decent on the naval/amphibious side, & now, once again, it becomes an above average such offering even within *today’s* turn-based strategy/4X domain. This alone is an accomplishment for so old-school a game, so critiqued, often justly, by us newer players. Again, if you like sea flavour, give the DLC a good chance, otherwise perhaps don’t.