Deal | Long-running 4X series discounted on Steam: 4 games on sale, starting at $1.49

Age of Wonders is all about building your own fantasy empire. Players explore the map, secure resources and expand their cities. At the same time, they assemble armies consisting of heroes and all kinds of fantasy creatures. The biggest difference compared to games like Civilization, however, becomes apparent in battle: When two armies clash, the outcome does not simply have to be calculated automatically. Players can enter the battlefield themselves and move, position and command their units in turn-based combat. RPG elements reminiscent of Heroes of Might & Magic add further depth: Heroes gain experience, learn new abilities and can be improved with equipment found along the way.

The basic formula has changed little over the years, but each new installment has expanded and modernized it. While the earlier games are likely to appeal primarily to old-school strategy fans today, the newer entries are considerably easier to get into. What sets the individual games apart can be summarized quickly:

Age of Wonders laid the foundation for the series in 1999 and is likely to be of particular interest to retro fans today. Even the first game combines fantasy empire building with heroes, magic, exploration and separate tactical battles. In terms of gameplay, the classic strongly resembles Heroes of Might & Magic, although its more than 25 years of age are now clearly visible on a technical level.

Age of Wonders 2: The Wizard's Throne was released in 2002 and significantly expanded the formula. The second installment is bigger and more complex, places greater emphasis on wizards and different schools of magic and also improves the tactical battles. While this adds more gameplay depth, it also makes the game more challenging to get into.

Age of Wonders 3 finally brought the series into the modern era in 2014. Empire management was streamlined and the presentation received a major overhaul. As a result, the third installment should be particularly interesting for players who want to experience the classic Age of Wonders formula without having to deal with the heavily dated presentation of the first two games.

Age of Wonders 4 is the latest and also the most accessible installment in the series. One of its biggest highlights is the enormous freedom it offers when building your own fantasy empire. Players can create their own races and continue to transform them throughout a playthrough. As a result, the fourth installment offers particularly extensive opportunities to experiment with different factions and playstyles.

All four games currently heavily discounted

All four games are discounted on Steam until August 19. The following overview shows the discounts, current prices and Steam user ratings:

• Age of Wonders: 75% off, $1.49, 78% positive
• Age of Wonders II: The Wizard's Throne: 75% off, $2.49, 83% positive
• Age of Wonders III: 75% off, $7.49, 80% positive
• Age of Wonders 4: 50% off, $24.99, 81% positive

By the way: Age of Wonders: Planetfall is another installment that takes the familiar formula into a science-fiction setting. The combination of 4X strategy and tactical turn-based battles remains intact. Fittingly, Planetfall is also discounted until August 19 as part of the current sale. Our separate article takes a more detailed look at the game.

Disclaimer: Notebookcheck is not responsible for price changes carried out by retailers. The discounted price or deal mentioned in this item was available at the time of writing and may be subject to time restrictions and/or limited unit availability.