There are so many customizable options to create unique games, with the freedom to create realms, races, leaders, pick magic tomes and regalia to match or tear down fantasy tropes. Make a race of Wizard Orcs, Underground dwelling Dark Elves, or Evil Necromancer Halflings on a realm of your choosing or creation. Many narrative events will come, but there is no objective besides the various win conditions so players can feel free to enjoy this wacky game however they like. Instead of following the story, you’re fully in charge of it. Playing a standard or custom realm is basically the same, but with less guidance via narrative events. The story realms are a fairly enjoyable experience, with plenty of guidance for newer gamers and a throughline between the realms that keeps the player engaged in creating their own factions journey.

Story realms are 5 realms that follow a singular storyline, set upon the backdrop of war between ancient Wizard Kings returning to take control of different races and Champions of the respective races rising to fight back. Upon launching into the first game, players are presented with a series of realms. Triumph Studio and Paradox Interactive’s latest title changes the formulae with magic, incredible creatures, and highly customizable races and maps to create narrative chains that feel unique for each player. I recommend you check out some let's plays of AoW 3 that's one of the easiest ways I use to tell whether or not I would be interested in purchasing a game.Age of Wonders 4 is a turn-based civilization builder, utilizing a hex grid, resources, and stacks of units for laying waste to other civilizations. Be aware that, while AoW also has a PbEM option (as well as direct-connect MP options), the limitations of that style of game means that PbEM battles come down to the Auto-Resolve feature there's no way to control a battle in that mode. I do think that AoW 3 needs a few mods to really shine, such as the 'Racial Reinforcements' mod, but the good news is that the mods are a cinch to download and install. Spells can only be cast by the player's Leader and certain recruitable heros - however, many units have 'special abilities' that the player can command them to use on a target of the player's choice. You're right that the player has direct control of the action of troops in combat (although it is turn-based, not real-time). I really enjoy both series, and AoW 3 is a big improvement of the earlier games (my opinion, of course). Age of Wonders (the series as a whole) is absolutely nothing like Dominions (and vice versa) aside from the fact that they are both fantasy games.

Age of wonders 3 auto combat only style