Age of Wonders 4: Secrets of the Archmages

The main pros of the game

• New Content: The DLC introduces six new tomes that are well-designed and fill significant gameplay gaps, enhancing strategies and unit diversity.
• Visual Appeal: Many users praised the stunning unit designs and spell effects, noting that the artistic quality continues to improve.
• Story Realms: The three new story realms provide interesting narratives and challenges, with some players enjoying their complexity.
• Gameplay Mechanics: The introduction of pocket dimensions (Shrouded Isles) allows for new strategic gameplay and city development options.
• Developer Engagement: Players appreciate the developers' responsiveness to bugs and their efforts to improve the game post-release.

The main cons of the game

• AI Issues: The AI's behavior, particularly in claiming portals, was criticized for being overly aggressive and exploiting game mechanics, leading to an unfair playing experience.
• Balance Problems: Some story realms were deemed too difficult, especially on higher difficulty settings, making them frustrating for players.
• Bugs and Technical Issues: Many reviews mentioned significant bugs that impacted gameplay, including multiplayer desync issues and crashes.
• Value for Money: A common sentiment was that the DLC is overpriced for the amount of content provided, with some users suggesting it should be priced lower.

The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users

• Cultural and Ruler Expansions: Several users expressed disappointment that this DLC did not introduce new cultures or ruler types, which they felt would enhance replayability.
• Thematic Cohesion: Some tomes were viewed as lacking a cohesive theme and were criticized for feeling like extensions of existing content rather than standalone ideas.
• More Story Content: There were calls for more substantial story content or varied missions, as some players felt the three new story missions were insufficient compared to past expansions.
• Quality Control: Users highlighted the need for better testing before release, as many felt the DLC was not adequately polished, particularly in multiplayer scenarios.

Summary

• Overall, while "Secrets of the Archmages" has been well-received for its new content and improvements, it has faced criticism for balance issues, AI behavior, bugs, and perceived value for money.

Summary generated on: June 29, 2026