Reviews and Post-Release Press

[JaguarUSF]

A Dominions 3: The Awakening review has been posted at Out of Eight PC Game Reviews:
http://jaguarusf.blogspot.com/2006/1...ng-review.html
Enjoy!

[Annette]

JaguarUSF said:
A Dominions 3: The Awakening review has been posted at Out of Eight PC Game Reviews:
http://jaguarusf.blogspot.com/2006/1...ng-review.html
Enjoy!

A pefect score! Thank you, James. I especially like this:

Despite the number of options, the game is actually quite easy to play; complexity really just results from all of the different spells and units available. There's always something to do each turn as well: between casting global spells, crafting magical items, patrolling for rebels, preaching, conducting research, pillaging provinces, performing sacrifices, and capturing slaves, you're never just sitting around in Dominions 3...There might be some side effects due to extended play sessions, but Dominions 3 is well worth the increased alienation from society. Who needs friends when you have a pretender god at your disposal?

[JaguarUSF]

It's funny because it's true.

[Annette]

Hitting mailboxes now and newstands soon, the January issue of Computer Games bestows their Editor's Choice designation and a score of 4.5 out of 5 stars to our beloved Dominions 3.

Reviewer Tom Chick writes:

...there are very few games that show you as much as you'll see here...and no games that do it with the focus, depth, and extraordinary economy of Dominions 3.

And, oh, so much more. Be sure to pick up your copy and read the full review!

[Jefke]

Just a quick note to signal my humble little 2 pages review in the french paper magazine PC4WAR #24 (preview at http://www.pc4war.com). 8/10.

The magazine will be released in a week to shops. Latest news indicate that subscriber might receive it a bit later.

JeF.

[Annette]

Thank you, JeF, and welcome to our forums. I've very happy to see you here!

I have more to report...

In Belgium, the current issue of Pc Gameplay Magazine features a review of Dominions 3. Editor-in-Chief Frank Dolmans tells us, "It got a whopping 80+ score, which is quite excellent. Our reviewer was impressed."

And we're told in Italy Giochi per Il Mio Computer has designated Dom 3 "Editor's Pick" with a score of 8.5 out of 10. Reviewer Vincenzo Beretta tells us, "Great game BTW, and a good companion to the "Song of Ice and Fire" saga by George R.R. Martin I'm finally reading while not playing! Congratulations to all those involved."

Here at home, The Bovine Conspiracy has just published it's review of Dominions 3 with a score of 8 out of 10. It's divided into two parts: " Part I: Review for people who already know a lot about Dominions II," and " Part II: Review for people who don’t know anything about Dominions II." The consensus is:

If you played and enjoyed Dominions II, Dominions III is an easy recommendation. Hell, it's an easy recommendation for anyone who enjoys deep strategy games and don't particularly care about having the latest whiz bang graphics...It'll be one of those games that will never leave your hard drive. Until Dominions IV.

Please read the full review HERE.

[Annette]

Atomic,an Australian site affiliated with PC Authority, has posted it's review of DOM3. Reviewer David Kidd awards the game a score of 9 out of 10 and writes:

In the end, this is a big, complex beast of a game. It’s a game you have to ‘get’, but when you do, you’ll be a convert forever. You’ll explore each nation, each magic path, and eventually find some killer combination that dominates the map. And then you’ll put it aside and start all over again. And once it grabs you, you’ll find other games of its type shallow and simple. For an independent game, the US$55 might seem steep, but once you start playing, you’ll get months, or even years, of game time, which makes it a true bargain. This is what strategy games are all about.

You may read the full review HERE (link).

[Annette]

GamerDad gives their seal of approval of Dominions 3 for kids ages 14 and up. Reviewer Matt Carlson says,

The large tomb of a rulebook is your first hint that the game is fairly complex. The wealth of spells and fantasy units that can be found is almost overwhelming. However, the actual mechanics of playing the game are simple enough for a younger child (10+) to play. Aside from the battle animations, which an experienced player will almost always skip, there are no scenes of violence depicted. The battle animations depict the battle between opposing units, with defeated units falling on the field with a minimum of blood and no gore. Magic comes in many flavors, including death magic which has the typical fantasy overtones of necromancy and undead. Of greater concern is one entire line of magic, blood magic, which is powered by the sacrifice of slaves that have been previously culled from one's population. The concept is treated entirely in the abstract and players can choose to not specialize in blood magic, but its presence as a concept gives the game a 14+ rating from GamerDad.

He also awards the game a score of 4 out of 5 stars. The full review is found HERE (link).