Age of Wonders 4 Giant Kings’ DLC is a mighty refreshing expansion

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From a theoretical perspective, the Giant Kings expansion for Age of Wonders 4 appears to offer fewer features than its previous major DLC, Eldritch Realms. However, in actual play, Triumph Studios creatively utilizes this expansion to broaden gameplay possibilities and introduce novel ways to engage with various aspects of the game, not just to win, but also to interact deeply with every component, including the earth itself. This is achieved by adding new playstyle options and mechanisms rather than merely increasing the number of realms, tomes, or realm traits.

Go big

In essence, the standout feature in Giant Kings lies with the titular new characters, colossal figures who dwarf the map and offer a range of handy abilities, both in battle and otherwise. The most eye-catching ability allows giants to sculpt terrain, either above or below ground, by placing an item that gradually builds mountains or stalagmites each turn. This feature can be strategically positioned on almost any hex and is ideal for establishing a defensive barrier around vulnerable areas or obstructing enemies from moving freely, especially if you’re worried they might scout or settle in spots you’d prefer to keep under control. Giants also have other ways of manipulating the terrain, such as shaping lava, but creating mountains undeniably offers the most practical benefit.

On the battlefield, giants tower over others, yet their size doesn’t equate to invulnerability. They are as susceptible as any hero or leader unit. Enemies don’t necessarily focus on them first, instead prioritizing weaker units for flanking attacks. However, where they excel is in combat style. Giants opt for physical assaults, favoring a bold and aggressive approach. They can hurl large boulders across the battlefield or deliver a powerful swipe to multiple enemies at once. Many of their special moves encompass several hex tiles, meaning even if they aren’t exceptionally stronger than other heroes, they can inflict significant damage on enemy forces.

Giant Kings are granted instant access to the forging system too. However, acquiring materials to create potent weapons remains a process that requires time. Yet, the ability to equip your preferred champion with a stronger weapon sooner aligns with the Giant Kings’ preference for proactive tactics.

In the game Giant Kings, there are occasional appearances by merchant units, who may provide services for a limited time, most of which aren’t directly related to traditional trading. The merchant that appeared most frequently during my time with Giant Kings offered various spells and effects, and he could “train” some of my heroes, essentially re-specializing them for a gold cost instead of the typical Imperium price. Other intriguing shopkeepers can also be found, although you’ll likely only encounter one in a single playthrough. In some extended games lasting over 70 turns, there might only be one merchant, but their scarcity keeps the feature feeling like an engaging bonus rather than an easy shortcut.

And go deep

In simpler terms, the new books by Giant Kings are quite beneficial, particularly for subterranean play, yet it feels like they should also be accessible in the standard game. For instance, the “Tome of the Dungeon Depths” enhances your efficiency and wealth generation in your underground colonies, especially if you have dungeons. Normally, in games without Giant Kings, the underground is primarily used as a safe location for your main city and quarries, lacking distinctive playstyles or opportunities to develop them. The “Tome of the Dungeon Depths” encourages a specific playstyle, offering significant benefits from provinces with dungeons and dungeon upgrades, and making the underground more appealing to expand. It’s unfortunate that these advantages are only for the expansion and not the base game.

In addition to encounters above and below ground, you’ll stumble upon fresh tales and happenings, one of which is linked to a new Crystal Dwelling called Sialdinn. The leader of this dwelling will reach out to you at the start of a round, giving you multiple choices for interacting with them – collaboration, accepting quests, completing quests then keeping the rewards for yourself, or open conflict. While the benefits of maintaining friendly relations with the dwelling are beneficial on their own, what’s truly advantageous is the impact it has on each round’s progression. The leader will assign you quests of varying difficulties that require you to locate specific places or creatures, and then decide how to handle them. Age of Wonders 4’s storyline mechanism typically keeps games engaging overall, but this additional planning aspect and the varied outcomes provide an enjoyable extra layer of possibilities.

In this world, the distinctive narratives exhibit an unpredictable flow. On the surface, you encounter entities symbolizing disorder, which you must vanquish along with their master, a renegade spirit. The characters involved are at an advanced level and pose significant threats during combat; however, you can opt for other concessions like hindering city development to placate them. They allow you free rein until a decision is made, which seems somewhat peculiar as potent embodiments of evil would not typically wait for your convenience.

On the other hand, an intriguing underground plot revolves around haunted gold that generates armies of malevolent spirits. You’re tasked with finding and eliminating the source of the curse. This story arc extends over a significant portion of the game round, even following resolution of the initial crisis; it can be disheartening that some other narratives lack the same depth.

As a devoted enthusiast, I must say that Age of Wonders 4: Giant Kings may not initially grab your attention with flashy features. Yet, what sets this expansion apart is its seamless incorporation of enhancements into every round’s gameplay, making it one of the more impactful expansions thus far. Despite offering fewer overall additions, the way it subtly enriches the gaming experience truly makes it a standout.

For this review, we received a copy of Age of Wonders 4: Giant Kings, which is currently accessible on PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5 platforms.

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2025-04-01 16:27