Developed by Frontier Developments, this game takes the Games Workshop banner into new territory, deviating from the usual paths and challenging the preconceived notion of how games based on this famous franchise should be.
Games Workshop has expanded its domain beyond tabletop and pure strategy games, finding a new home in the digital space. Warhammer 40k has been its flagship for a long time, but the revival of Warhammer Fantasy in Age of Sigmar is not only a bold move but an exciting opportunity for the franchise’s growth.
Realms of Ruin immerses us in a setting set in a nebulous time after the arrival of Sigmar, without specifying an exact date, adding an aura of mystery to the story. The campaign, one of the game’s pillars, presents a captivating narrative centered on the quest for an artifact capable of expelling the forces of chaos and the Orruks from the Sigmarite gates. Despite having a modest team for such a work, the quality of the story not only meets Warhammer’s expectations in terms of epicness but far exceeds the average, thanks to a well-developed cast of characters that create an emotional bond with the player.
Frontier’s bet on characters is reflected in the way they are presented and developed throughout the story. This attention to detail extends to the cinematics and the quality of the character voices, which rise above the average and merge with an epic soundtrack.
The game stays true to the classic schemes of the real-time strategy genre, presenting basic mechanics and combat that relies on resource management and tactics, rather than the accumulation of massive units. Although this may seem restrictive to players more accustomed to more elaborate strategies, it fits with the game’s direct and focused vision.
The Conquest mode, although intriguing in its conception, suffers from limited execution due to the scarcity of available factions, limiting its long-term potential. The multiplayer, on the other hand, offers a classic strategy experience with 2 vs 2 confrontations that challenge combat skill and logic.
The creative component, although somewhat basic in unit and map editing, offers an opportunity for enthusiasts to unleash their creativity and explore the construction of detailed scenarios.
In conclusion, Warhammer Age of Sigmar: Realms of Ruin is a valuable addition to the world of Warhammer-based strategy games. Although it presents limitations in terms of faction diversity and mechanics, it captivates with an immersive narrative, compelling characters, and a solid gameplay experience.
In-Depth Analysis:
Pros:
- Captivating Narrative: The epic story and depth of characters in the campaign provide an immersive and emotional experience.
- Well-Developed Characters: The focus on main characters and their stories creates an emotional bond with players, adding layers to the narrative.
- High-Quality Presentation: Elaborate cinematics, excellent voice acting, and an immersive soundtrack contribute to a high-quality gaming experience.
- Accessible Strategy Mechanics: Although basic for some, the RTS mechanics balance resource management and tactical decision-making, accessible to new genre players.
- Challenging Multiplayer Experience: The 2 vs 2 confrontations in multiplayer test players’ strategic skills, maintaining the essence of classic RTS.
- Creativity and Customization: Through the creative mode and map editor, creative expression is allowed to build and customize scenarios and units, albeit in a limited way.
Cons:
- Scarcity of Factions: The limited variety of factions affects the diversity and longevity of the game, especially evident in Conquest mode.
- Basic Mechanics: Although solid, the gameplay mechanics may seem simplified for RTS veterans, limiting strategic depth.
- Limitations in Customization: Unit and map editing are restricted, which could disappoint those looking for greater depth in creativity.
- Focused Narrative Approach: Despite its quality, the campaign focuses only on some factions, limiting the exploration of the vast Age of Sigmar universe.
- Lack of Innovation in the Genre: Although solid, Realms of Ruin does not introduce revolutionary elements in the real-time strategy genre.
- Limited Potential in Conquest Mode: Despite being an interesting mode, the lack of faction variety limits its long-term potential.
