Age of Wonders Shadow Magic on Steam - User reviews, Price & Information
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Age of Wonders: Shadow Magic is the third entry in the award winning fantasy strategy series. This fan-favorite enhances the series' praised fusion of empire building, role-playing and tactical combat with the eerie Shadow World and battle with races never before seen, across new and diverse landscapes.
Age of Wonders Shadow Magic is a strategy, rpg and turn-based strategy game
developed by Triumph Studios
and published by Paradox Interactive.
Released on October 12th 2010 is available in English only on Windows.
It has received 600 reviews of which 535 were positive and 65 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.4 out of 10. 😎
The game is currently priced at 8.99€ on Steam, but you can find it for 0.91€ on Gamivo.
The Steam community has classified Age of Wonders Shadow Magic into these genres:
Media & Screenshots
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System requirements
These are the minimum specifications needed to play the game. For the best experience, we recommend that you verify them.
Windows
- OS: Windows 95 or later
- Processor: Intel Pentium 300+ CPU
- Memory: 64MB RAM
- Graphics: DirectX compatible graphic card
- Hard Drive: 500MB hard disk
User reviews & Ratings
Explore reviews from Steam users sharing their experiences and what they love about the game.
An old-world gem that still casts a powerful spell There’s something almost mythic about Age of Wonders: Shadow Magic. Booting it up feels like unearthing a lost tome of arcane knowledge—a game that doesn’t just tell stories of magic and conquest, but feels like it was carved from the same stone as the legends it tries to conjure. At its core, Shadow Magic is a turn-based strategy and empire-building hybrid that excels in delivering the fantasy dream. Three sprawling spheres—Life, Death, and Cosmos—intertwine with over a dozen races and equally diverse classes of magic. From frost-cursed dwarves to scaly lizardfolk and the steampunk-like Syrons, there's a deeply imaginative touch to the game's lore and world design. The races and their respective magic spheres don’t just differ cosmetically—they demand unique tactics, and it’s a joy to figure them out. The map design still holds up remarkably well. Each scenario feels handcrafted, with terrain features that matter and quests that don’t feel like filler. Layered world maps—surface, underground, and Shadow Plane—add an element of vertical strategy rarely seen, even today. And the tactical battles? They’re thoughtful affairs where positioning, spellcasting, and terrain matter immensely. There's a rare satisfaction in watching a careful plan unfold, especially when you’re outnumbered but not outwitted. The game’s music, all ethereal woodwinds and mellow orchestral sweeps, still creates a mood of mystery and adventure. Visually, it’s aged—certainly. The sprite-based graphics are pixel-heavy, but there’s a charm in their detail, and the color palettes still evoke a sense of high fantasy that modern 3D often sterilizes. But no rose without thorns. Shadow Magic’s interface, even with fan patches and tweaks, remains clunky by modern standards. Sorting units, managing cities, and casting spells can feel like juggling a dozen ledgers with no tabs. The AI is serviceable but predictable, especially once you learn its tricks—it rarely surprises, and late-game dominance becomes a matter of inertia rather than challenge. The campaign, while rich in lore, lacks emotional stakes. Characters are more like lore-delivery systems than people with motivations, and the writing, though serviceable, rarely elevates beyond functional fantasy tropes. The biggest hurdle for new players is accessibility. Tutorials are minimal, and the game assumes a level of strategy game literacy that not everyone will bring. It rewards patience and experimentation, but doesn’t offer much hand-holding in the process. Still, there’s a reason people keep coming back to it after all these years. Few games in the genre feel this wide in scope yet so personal in play. Whether you’re managing a half-dozen cities or orchestrating the downfall of an empire with a single invisible rogue, the freedom to shape your narrative is where Shadow Magic truly shines. Pros Deep and imaginative faction/magic combinations Excellent tactical combat with meaningful terrain Multi-layered map design adds depth Distinctive and immersive fantasy setting Highly replayable with custom maps and mod support Cons – Outdated UI and clunky interface – AI becomes predictable over time – Narrative and characters lack emotional impact – Steep learning curve with minimal guidance – Dated visuals, even if charming in their own way Final Verdict: 8.5/10 Age of Wonders: Shadow Magic might be rough around the edges, but its heart beats with the fire of classic fantasy. For those willing to peer past its aging surface, there's a magical, endlessly rewarding experience underneath. If you liked my attempt at making a professional review of this game, please leave a like for this review and if you think I should continue doing professional game reviews, then click on "Award" in the bottom right corner. Thank you!
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I'd say... Good. This is a Turn-Based strategy game with some light RPG elements. The Graphics are old but nice. The music is decent. The story is OK but not a big deal. No bugs or crashes. Overall, it's entertaining, though there are some considerations to keep in mind. This is a classic "one-more-turn" game—highly addictive. While it's a stand-alone title, it's essentially a continuation of AOW2, with only a few notable additions. The shadow realm and the shadow race are the primary new features. The campaign is massive, offering a wealth of troops to command and spells to experiment with. That said, the game has its challenges. It often feels unbalanced, leaving you constantly struggling—whether it's managing gold, mana, or building up your troops. Progress takes time, and moving units across maps can become a tedious chore. Many maps are large and expansive, often requiring significant time to navigate. Even with specific objectives, completing a scenario frequently demands full exploration and conquest of these extensive areas. This game demands patience—loads of it—and a healthy dose of obsession doesn't hurt. But if you're drawn to long, tough games filled with repetition and a focus on total domination, this one's for you. It's a retro gem. Classics like this have a way of leaving their mark. So go ahead—indulge, why don't ya?
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It was my first game in the series. I wanted to get acquainted with Age of Wonders franchise and this part was recommended to me to start with. Well, it's not among my favorite turn-based strategies, that's for sure. Nonetheless, I don't regret the time I spent in the game, it was worth to try something new, despite the fact I probably won't be playing it again. If you want to try out a classic game you missed in your time, go for it.
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For me, this is the best. Yeah it has problems but it is just charming and sandbox-y enough to hold me.
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Age of Wonders: Shadow Magic continues to delight fans of the series with its superb gameplay and exciting new additions. While the core game mechanics remain largely unchanged, two key innovations stand out: the introduction of three new playable races and the addition of a new map layer. The plot of the new campaign unfolds rapidly. The Battle for the Throne of Wisdom shook the foundations of the universe: space and time began to unravel, opening portals to the Void. The young wizard Merlin found himself adrift in the interdimensional vacuum, sending signals for help to his former enemies. Meanwhile, demons from a parallel dimension have overrun the magical land, and the theocrat Phobius seized power, initiating a witch hunt and banning magic. However, despite his dire situation, Merlin manages to contact some mages, guiding them in the fight against Phobius, banishing the shadow demons, and rescuing himself. The new Shadow Realm adds a fresh dynamic to the gameplay. It resembles the surface with its cities, artifacts, and landmarks, but battles in this world require a special approach. Units in the otherworldly universe become weaker in attack, defense, and magic resistance, but gain double movement speed across the dark and eerie landscape. The three new races significantly diversify the gameplay: - Nomads : These warriors return from the first game, where they were known as Azracs, retaining their Arabian theme. They are notable for their unique ability to transform cities into caravans, allowing them to change their location. - Syrons : This highly magical race excels in both offensive and defensive spells, and their units can regenerate health each turn, making them resilient in prolonged battles. - Shadow Demons : Originating from the Shadow Realm, these creatures have natural resistance to magic and can summon lesser demons to assist in combat, making them a formidable force on the battlefield. The older races haven't been neglected. They now have new units, adding variety and new strategic options. Heroes have access to an expanded set of skills and spells, making them even more versatile and powerful. The game also introduces the Dwarven Workshop, producing siege weapons, and the Forge, allowing the creation of exclusive artifacts. These new features significantly expand the tactical and strategic horizons for players. New units, levels, storylines, spells, and races — all these innovations make Age of Wonders: Shadow Magic a must-have for all series fans. This is not just an expansion but almost a new game, offering a wealth of new opportunities and deep, engaging gameplay.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Age of Wonders Shadow Magic is currently priced at 8.99€ on Steam.
Age of Wonders Shadow Magic is currently not on sale. You can purchase it for 8.99€ on Steam.
Age of Wonders Shadow Magic received 535 positive votes out of a total of 600 achieving a rating of 8.35.
😎
Age of Wonders Shadow Magic was developed by Triumph Studios and published by Paradox Interactive.
Age of Wonders Shadow Magic is playable and fully supported on Windows.
Age of Wonders Shadow Magic is not playable on MacOS.
Age of Wonders Shadow Magic is not playable on Linux.
Age of Wonders Shadow Magic offers both single-player and multi-player modes.
Age of Wonders Shadow Magic offers both Co-op and PvP modes.
Age of Wonders Shadow Magic does not currently offer any DLC.
Age of Wonders Shadow Magic does not support mods via Steam Workshop.
Age of Wonders Shadow Magic does not support Steam Remote Play.
Age of Wonders Shadow Magic is enabled for Steam Family Sharing. This means you can share the game with authorized users from your Steam Library, allowing them to play it on their own accounts. For more details on how the feature works, you can read the original Steam Family Sharing announcement or visit the Steam Family Sharing user guide and FAQ page.
You can find solutions or submit a support ticket by visiting the Steam Support page for Age of Wonders Shadow Magic.
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Last Updates| Steam data | 11 June 2025 03:24 |
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| SteamSpy data | 11 June 2025 02:35 |
| Steam price | 15 June 2025 04:44 |
| Steam reviews | 13 June 2025 07:52 |
If you'd like to dive deeper into the details about Age of Wonders Shadow Magic, we invite you to check out a few dedicated websites that offer extensive information and insights. These platforms provide valuable data, analysis, and user-generated reports to enhance your understanding of the game and its performance.
- SteamDB - A comprehensive database of everything on Steam about Age of Wonders Shadow Magic
- SteamCharts - Analysis of Age of Wonders Shadow Magic concurrent players on Steam
- ProtonDB - Crowdsourced reports on Linux and Steam Deck Age of Wonders Shadow Magic compatibility
Game modes
Features
Online players
17
Developer
Triumph Studios
Publisher
Paradox Interactive
Release
12 Oct 2010
Platforms
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