Play as either Bel'Kara, a seductive Succubus at odds with the Underworld, or Katzok, a brutal Orc Chieftan fighting for his clan's dominance. The Age of Fear series is a deep and complex turn-based strategy (full of humour!) that fuses a tabletop wargame with RPG elements.
Players navigate an open battlefield, unrestrained by a hex-grid system. This grants more flexibility in unit positioning and maneuvering than traditional grid-based tactics games. The diverse roster of units, each with unique abilities, encourages experimentation with different compositions and strategies to overcome opponents. The AI proves to be a formidable adversary, utilizing tactics like flanking, targeting vulnerable units, and leveraging environmental hazards. Maintaining cohesive formations and protecting key units is crucial, as fallen soldiers do not return, adding weight to each engagement.
One standout feature is the ability to carry units over from battle to battle, allowing them to gain experience and level up. Players can customize unit growth, unlocking new abilities and upgrades. This creates a sense of attachment to individual soldiers, incentivizing players to carefully manage their forces and minimize casualties. The progression system extends beyond individual units, as players can upgrade their faction's headquarters. These upgrades unlock new recruitable units, skills, and exploration opportunities, complementing the tactical combat with strategic base management.
The game offers two distinct campaign paths, each with a substantial amount of text-based narrative content. Players can shape the story's direction through branching dialogue choices, influencing the outcome of the succubus and orc chieftain's respective conflicts. While the writing quality may vary, the narrative choices provide an additional layer of depth and replayability. Players invested in the setting and lore can immerse themselves in the fantastical conflicts, while those more focused on the tactical gameplay can still enjoy the strategic challenges presented in each campaign.
The developers of this game have demonstrated a strong commitment to post-launch support, frequently updating the title with new features, content, and bug fixes. They actively engage with the community on the game's forums, soliciting feedback and implementing suggested improvements. This level of developer support and responsiveness is highly appreciated by the game's fans, who value the ongoing refinement and evolution of the tactical gameplay experience. The game's modding capabilities further extend its longevity, allowing players to create their own custom content and campaigns.