Age of Wonders 2: The Wizard's Throne (Triumph PC M15)

By PETER ELEY

(Herald rating: * * * * * )

The turn-based game just refuses to curl up and die, thanks in part to excellent titles such as Age of Wonders 2.

Civilisation is perhaps the most famous turn-based game — one where you wait on your opponent's response — and Age of Wonders 2 is reminiscent of this classic, only in a fantasy setting and with lots more action.

The main characters are wizards, and casting spells is an integral part of combat. The best part is that you are immortal, although death and subsequent reincarnation come at the price of losing most everything you have built up.

Turn-based strategy games ave better artificial intelligence than real-time strategy counterparts, where action is continuous, and the computer opponents in AOW2 are pretty smart.

No tank rushes here, or sending lone units to certain death at routine intervals.

A favourite tactic is dividing its invading forces, making you fight on several fronts at once. That can be tough, even with the difficulty level set at easy.

There are just two resources to gather, gold for creating new units and upgrades, and mana for casting spells.

They must be used wisely, and units must be placed carefully to take advantage of terrain. It's all a lot more thoughtful than real-time games, although this involves a certain slowness that won't appeal to everybody.

The original AOW was an excellent game and its sequel doesn't reinvent itself. The gameplay is still the same, and the real difference is in the graphics.

They are excellent. The landscapes are huge and beautifully detailed, the spell effects are truly magical and everything is top-notch visually.

Bits from the original game have been cleaned up, there are two new races, and the dungeons which trapped many an unwary player have disappeared.

What gives AOW2 its edge, though, is the depth of the experience. You really do feel as though you're in a fantasy world, battling strange creatures and races.

peter_eley@nzherald.co.nz