Age of Wonders 4: Ways of War

The main pros of the game

• Substantial Content Addition: The DLC adds a significant amount of content, including four new tomes, new races (Ogrekin and Simians), and a new culture with three subcultures (Oathsworn) that enhance gameplay variety and replayability.
• Aesthetic Appeal: Many users praised the Eastern-inspired designs and cultural elements, noting the beautiful artwork and thematic consistency.
• Hero Rework: The update includes a rework of the hero system, introducing a more structured skill tree that many players find enjoyable and strategic.
• New Gameplay Mechanics: The introduction of "Intrigue Happenings" adds variability and depth to gameplay, with mechanics like assassination and new event quests.
• Positive Reception of New Units: The new units and creatures are well-received, with players enjoying their unique traits and abilities.

The main cons of the game

• High Pricing: Some users feel that the DLC and expansion pass are expensive relative to the amount of content provided, leading to concerns about value for money.
• Basic Unit Sounds: Players expressed disappointment with the simplistic sound design for units, which they felt detracted from the overall experience.
• Lack of Lore: There is a notable absence of detailed unit descriptions and lore, which some players miss compared to previous titles in the series.
• Cultural Simplification: The Oathsworn culture was criticized for being too simplistic compared to the more dynamic High culture, limiting player choices and strategies.
• Technical Issues: Some users reported frequent crashes and bugs, impacting gameplay experience negatively.

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

• Expanded Cultural Depth: Players hoped for a more nuanced cultural system that allows for greater diversity in playstyles and strategies.
• Additional Hero Customization: Some users felt that the hero rework limited customization options, making it less flexible than before.
• More Varied Intrigue Events: While the new Intrigue mechanics were appreciated, some players pointed out that they became repetitive quickly, lacking the depth seen in previous expansions.
• New Campaign or Story Content: There were calls for a new story campaign or more substantial narrative elements to enhance the overall experience.
• Additional Dragon Hero Types: Players noted a missed opportunity for adding more dragon hero body types that fit the new themes.

Summary

• Overall, while the DLC is praised for its content and aesthetic enhancements, it also faces criticism regarding pricing, sound design, and certain gameplay limitations.

Summary generated on: October 30, 2025