Chris InglisAge of Darkness: Final Stand, developed by Australian developers PlaySide Studios and published by Team17, is a challenging dark fantasy survival RTS that recently launched its full version 1.0 on Steam following a successful Early Access period. The game throws players into a desperate struggle for survival against relentless hordes of Nightmares, warning them that each defeat is a valuable learning experience. Powered by “SwarmTech,” it can render up to 70,000 units simultaneously on screen, creating visually impressive and strategically demanding battles.
Set in a kingdom consumed by a deadly fog, players must illuminate and fortify their last bastion of humanity. Days are dedicated to base building, resource gathering, and training troops. Nights bring relentless attacks from overwhelming swarms of Nightmares, requiring players to strategically position their forces, repair damaged structures, and utilize hero abilities to survive.
Players begin with Edwin, the Wielder of the Flame, a melee hero wielding a greatsword and utilizing fire-based abilities. However, the full release now includes additional heroes like Aelis, Queen of Nothing, introduced through post-launch updates.
The core gameplay loop involves resource management, exploration, and defense. Players gather resources by building structures like farms, lumber yards, and quarries. They then use these resources to construct buildings, train troops (soldiers and archers), and fortify their base with walls and towers.
Nightmares pose a constant threat. Players must explore the surrounding areas, identify potential threats, and strategically place defenses to repel attacks. Troops can become “horrified,” suffering movement penalties and reduced health regeneration. This effect can be mitigated by proximity to fire towers or the main keep, and by increasing troop “boldness” through combat.
Death Nights are a recurring challenge. Every fourth day, a Darkness Crystal emerges, heralding the arrival of a massive Nightmare swarm. This swarm is accompanied by a random affliction, such as reduced troop health regeneration or increased upkeep costs. Surviving a Death Night rewards players with a choice of powerful blessings, such as reduced building costs or increased unit production.
Troops gain strength through “emboldening” rather than traditional experience points. Archers generally prove more effective against smaller Nightmares, while the hero’s area-of-effect abilities can significantly impact larger groups.
Age of Darkness: Final Stand is a polished and engaging survival RTS experience. The unique combination of base building, hero combat, and intense night-time defenses creates a challenging and rewarding gameplay loop. The death night and Nightmare swarm mechanics are standout features, adding a layer of unpredictability and excitement to each playthrough.
This review utilised a Steam key provided by Team17 and Age of Darkness: Final Stand is available on Steam.
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