Two factions, one stage, the genuine feeling of conquest and the fantasy universe of Warhammer in a state of chaos and reorganization after the End Times. Literally. Frontier Developments reaffirms its commitment to squeeze and give splendor to weight franchises based on fanservice with Warhammer Age of Sigmar: Realms of Ruin and, in the process, positions itself as one of the key appointments of the strategy in 2023. Both on PC like on consoles.
Warhammer Age of Sigmar: Realms of Ruin commitment to real-time strategy following in the wake of the mythical Dune II from Westwood that we fell in love with three decades ago, but also takes note of the current MOBAs to cement their own gaming experience when it comes to competitive. Getting it right in both fields, simplifying the essentials and tying the whole to a concept that is and should be the dominant one: the passion for Warhammer fantasy.
In VidaExtra we had the opportunity to play a development version of Warhammer Age of Sigmar: Realms of Ruin, which allowed us to familiarize ourselves with both controller and mouse controls in a preview of the campaign and, via private servers, try our hand at the multiplayer experience. The sensations, as you will see, are really positive. To the point that, after half a dozen games, we were left wanting more.
That contribute Warhammer Age of Sigmar: Realms of Ruin to Real Time Strategy (RTS) and the legacy of Warhammer in video games? From the start, everything you already liked about the franchise says present. And if you don’t know those who fight in the name of the God King Sigmar or in opposition to him, don’t worry: you’ll have just as much fun. Frontier Development hits the nail on the head twice again.
Warhammer Age of Sigmar: Realms of Ruin, halfway between Warcraft… and LOL?
Blizzard came to contemplate that the Warcraft The original game benefited from the added oomph of Warhammer Fantasy Battle, and it’s impossible to deny that many wickets remained from those unfulfilled plans. In the middle of 2023 we have a more accurate vision of how that saga that never existed would have evolved, and the way in which the distances are marked with the impeccable Total War WARHAMMER from SEGA or a Warhammer 40,000: Chaos Gate – Daemonhunters itself plays in their favor . So what does it bring?
Warhammer Age of Sigmar: Realms of Ruin proposes us to fight as a practically all-terrain Forged in the Storm on the battlefield or the devious Klanez Orruk Mandamaloz, in addition to two other factions to be revealed. The essential premise: seize each section of the stage, strengthen our armies, measure ourselves against enemies and, ultimately, that our faction is the only one standing. Until then, the approach of the game follows the same dotted line as the majority of known Real Time Strategy games.
What really makes the difference, and the great success of Realms of Ruin, is how the elements of warhammer age of sigmar are introduced in the set. Not only in regards to the units, but how a system has been created in which the actions, mobility and presence of heavy troops, those that fight at a distance, those of assault and the presence of heroes with their own abilities they define our strategy and guide us to victory. Or not.
The first thing that stands out, after the introductions, is how Frontiers is dedicated to making the steps and game mechanics simple: you create squads that act more or less autonomously under the instruction to attack whatever is in your path, continue your march without deviations or try to go unnoticed as far as possible.
Based on what has been played, we understand that the latter will be much more useful in the Campaign than in multiplayer. Although, to be fair, what was seen in the story mode was more of a tutorial than a preview.
But now comes the really interesting part: mastery of the stage is absolutely essential in Warhammer Age of Sigmar: Realms of Ruin. Resource management is a distinctive element in Frontier games and in this game there are three main elements that allow us to improve and expand our faction: Command points that are obtained by the amount of land conquered, RealmStones that are equivalent to gold and the limits of units and improvements that will depend on the level of our and technology.
Command Points and Realmstones are earned by conquering the map and give us access to new units and key upgrades. That said, and unlike other RTS, in Warhammer Age of Sigmar: Realms of Ruin the placement of the arcane deposits in multiplayer, the points from which these resources emanate, is pre-established, so that in the end everything leads to a conflict for control of them. And not only that: it is also important how much presence we have in the key areas of maps that, without being really big, end up giving a lot of play.
In this way, and despite drinking in the wake of the strategy classics from Westwood and Blizzard, the sensations of the game, its rhythm and its approach end up reminiscent (in a good way) of the dynamics of League of Legends in which claiming and fighting key areas defines our performance, constantly improving our units is a top priority and knowing how to take advantage of the layers of possibilities within the simplicity of play what will sentence our triumph or failure.
Strategy in real time with controls and Warhammer: good wickers for a new obsession
Although it is possible to play Warhammer Age of Sigmar: Realms of Ruin With the usual mouse and access to keyboard shortcuts as always on PC, Frontiers has designed the package to offer a gaming experience that feels just as comfortable with the controls of all time. Something that is well founded, since the game will appear not only on PC, but also on PS5 and Xbox Series X with the possibility of offer cross play.
Frontier has established a series of really intuitive systems and shortcuts, so that when selecting a unit or several battalions you can establish their route and strategy by sections or manage the creation of units based on fiddling with the buttons. What’s more, on PC you can toggle them between mouse and keyboard simply using whatever comes handy, giving you the best of both worlds.
And, between us, I confess that its color blindness options have been great for me when it comes to distinguishing the marks of the factions, the occupied terrain or the direction guides when using the command of a lifetime.
The purpose is what it is: offer dynamic games that don’t get too long or too short. In which the mastery of each terrain has as much weight as the management and improvement of our faction and that, in the process, fosters a truly competitive feeling designed for those passionate about real strategy. If, in addition, you are passionate about everything related to Warhammer, you will be really fascinated.
That said, the version we had access to is not the final one and that could be seen in very specific aspects. The good news is that Frontier has specifically confirmed to us that the beta that will soon be enabled will correct some detected errors and offer much more polished elements at the playable level.
Warhammer Age of Sigmar: Realms of Ruin will hold an Open Beta on consoles and PCs that will take place from July 7 to 10, 2023 and to which it is already possible to sign up and in which individual battles (1 vs. 1) will be offered in which the Forged in the Storm and the Klanez Orruk Mandamaloz will be enabled, the same two announced factions to which we had access.
A litmus test for a game not only wants to win over fans of real-time strategy, but also He has what it takes to make it.
And it is that it is undeniable that it is a sensational time to be a fan of Warhammer. Even to start in this passion. Games Workshop has expanded the franchise that pleases and consecrates the initiative with video games soaked in their fantasy universes or stellar battles. AND Warhammer Age of Sigmar: Realms of Ruin not only does it once again extend it into real-time strategy, but it has plans to make a splash within the genre. big words.
Ficha de Warhammer Age of Sigmar: Realms of Ruin
- Plataformas: PC, PS5 y Xbox Series X / S
- Multiplayer: Yes
- Developer: Frontier Developments
- Company: Frontier Developments
- Launch: 2023
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