In a time of chaotic upheaval, the player takes the role of a great mage, a warlord vying for ultimate power.
Players can choose from a diverse selection of playable factions, each with unique units, strengths, and playstyles. For example, the human faction has access to sturdy footmen and skilled archers, while the undead faction can field bone-chilling skeletons and necromancers. This faction variety allows players to experiment with different strategies and approaches, greatly enhancing the game's replayability.
At the core of the gameplay is the robust magic system. As powerful "Great Mages," players can research and cast a wide array of spells, ranging from offensive fireballs to utility-focused abilities like raising mountains or draining lakes. Carefully managing mana resources and spell cooldowns is crucial, as players must strategically deploy their magical abilities to gain an edge over their opponents.
Combat is a major focus, with players building and commanding armies to conquer rival factions and defend their territories. The hex-based combat system encourages strategic positioning and flanking maneuvers. Units can also be upgraded and specialized through a skill tree system, allowing players to tailor their forces to specific roles. The inclusion of powerful "Hero" units further enhances the strategic depth of combat.
The game world extends beyond the initial starting continent, as players can explore and conquer multiple "planes of existence." These alternate realms introduce new challenges, such as powerful monster lairs and dangerous environments, adding an element of exploration and discovery to the gameplay.
While the game shares some similarities with the Civilization series, it streamlines the city management aspect. Players cannot build every possible structure in each city, but instead must specialize their cities to focus on specific resources and unit production. This design choice keeps the gameplay moving at a quicker pace, with fewer micromanagement tasks.