Age of Wonders: Shadow Magic
| Age of Wonders: Shadow Magic | |
|---|---|
| Cover art of Age of Wonders: Shadow Magic | |
| Developer(s) | Triumph Studios |
| Publisher(s) | Take 2 |
| Designer(s) | Lennart Sas |
| Platform(s) | Windows |
| Release | 2003 |
| Genre(s) | Turn-based strategy |
| Mode(s) | Single player, Multiplayer |
Age of Wonders: Shadow Magic or AOW:SM is a turn-based, strategy PC-game in a fantasy setting.
Shadow Magic is the third incarnation of the Age of Wonders series, and is a direct sequel to Age of Wonders 2: The Wizard's Throne. All of the three games were developed by Triumph Studios, a Dutch game developer.
Probably planned as an expansion pack for Age of Wonders 2: The Wizard's Throne, Age of Wonders: Shadow Magic was published as a stand-alone game.
Designed for singleplayer as well as for multiplayer, it featured beautiful graphics, an optional hex-grid and sophisticated rules for tactical combat. In many ways, it managed to capture the feeling of Master of Magic while bringing enough of its own ideas to make it a different game. Its graphics are also reminiscent of the feel of the The Lord of the Rings film trilogy.
While the graphic engine is the same as in Age of Wonders 2: The Wizard's Throne, gameplay is improved and some important features are added. While every existing race in the game got at least one new recruitable unit and new buildings, 3 races are completely new. Much needed from the fans (and referred to in the forums as the "random map cult"), the game now offers a "Create Random Scenario" option. Together with a city building that allows the forging of magic items for heroes, the game comes closer to the Master of Magic "feel" than any other game.
Races
- Good Races: Archons (Pure good), Elves, Halflings, Syrons, and Dwarves
- Neutral Races: Humans, Draconians, Nomads, Frostlings, and Tigrans
- Evil Races: Dark Elves, Undead (Pure evil), Shadow Demons, Orcs, and Goblins
Units
Archon Units
Elf Units
Dwarf Units
Halfling Units
Syron Units
- Prospector
- Lightning Catcher
- Spellbinder
- Rider
- Shadow Runner
- Giant Warrior
- Changeling
- Astral Sprite
- Forceship
Human Units
- Halberdier
- Infantry
- Crossbowman
- Cavalry
- Swashbuckler
- Knight
- Herbalist
- Chaplain
- Air Galley
Tigran Units
Draconian Units
Frostling Units
Nomad Units
Goblin Units
Orc Units
- Impaler
- Axeman
- Archer
- Heavy Cavalry
- Abomination
- Shaman
- Warlord
- Doom Bats
- Glutton
Dark Elf Units
- Night Guard
- Warrior
- Archer
- Executioner
- Bladedancer
- Shade
- Spider Queen
- Succubus
- Incarnate
Undead Units
- Zombie
- Swordsman
- Archer
- Death Knight
- Vampire
- Spectre
- Bone Horror
- Necromancer
- Dread Reaper
Shadow Demon Units
- Larva
- Spawn
- Bombard
- Stag Mount
- Skimmer
- Brain
- Harvester
- Spirit
- Lord
- Black Priest
- High Priest
- Monk
Other Monsters and Animals (Mostly summons)
- Black Spider
- Dire Boar
- Hell Hound
- Lurker
- Parasite
- Unicorn
- Wolf
- Zephyr Bird
- Chaos Spawn
- Dire Penguin
- Dragon Hatchling
- Efreet
- Fairy
- Magic Servant
- Minotaur
- Northern Glow
- Water Dancer
- Air Elemental
- Bone Dragon
- Earth Elemental
- Fire Elemental
- Water Elemental
- Angel
- Basilisk
- Black Angel
- Black Dragon
- Chaos Lord
- Golden Dragon
- Great Wyrm
- Ice Dragon
- Phoenix
- Pioneer
- Ballista
- Catapult
- Transport Ship
- Cannon
- Flame Cannon
- Frost Cannon
- Reapeater Ballista
- Galley
- Balloon