I always love to see titles breaking new ground and overcoming the odds, and Worlds of Magic: Planar Conquest is one of the biggest potential cases I’ve seen this year. It delivers an ambitious strategy concept, but is not only supported by a publisher with a less than stellar track record (Rambo: The Video Game, cough , cough) it’s also ported off of mobile devices. However, (besides for XCOM 2) the Playstation 4 has been barren for strategy games lately, meaning Worlds of Magic can have a stumble or two. Let’s see if that’s the case, or a bit more dramatic.
Gameplay:
A part of why mobile games are so successful is that they emulate ideas that have worked before, and Worlds of Magic definitely holds this aura. Thankfully, this doesn’t hinder everything, as the game is more diverse with choices given to the player upon starting a new game. With a tutorial that’s just as detailed, Worlds of Magic definitely sets itself up strong.
Tasks-wise, players will have to explore their new terrain, or fight enemies. The latter is a lot more complex, and ups the ante for the game’s already well-set standards. Both of these systems hold themes of how to do a strategy game right, but the game becomes less acceptable in other respects.
Story & Design:
Worlds of Magic’s story is very bare-bones, but what’s a bit more disappointing is it’s setting. Evident from the title, it’s something that doesn’t feel very fitting, considering how great the rest of the systems are. In the end, it’s a level of awkwardness that tarnishes the atmosphere if you look close enough.
Presentation/ Visuals & Audio:
Worlds of Magic’s mobile traits are present nearly everywhere you look, but presentation wise, it’s clear that the game didn’t benefit. Textures look a generation or so behind, and the sound effects clearly did not get enough effort poured into them. Worlds of Magic is a title that’s clearly focused on gameplay, which will make or break the experience.
Conclusion:
When you do look at the odds Worlds of Magic faced, it’s commendable the developers were able to pump out what they did. However, this passion didn’t show up in all spots, which is a disappointment to the genre diehards looking for something new.
Worlds of Magic: Planar Conquest gets a 7/10 (Average)
We’d like to thank Wastelands Interactive for giving us a code!
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