Age of Wonders 4

Came from Total Warhammer, never player a similar game before. This game is a gem.
Pros:
+ Game design here is really fun, a lot of things to interact with and figure out.
+ Programming is great, hardly felt any bugs, performance is good, never thought like there were missing QoL features or badly needed polish.
+ Customization options for everything are amazing - from your Ruler, to race, to heroes, to culture and even mid-game adjustments via Tomes... Separately those options are rarely new, but it's mind-boggling to see how things stack up.
+ Campaign map play is awesome, building your empire is a lot of fun with provinces, various resources, making your own cities from scratch and so much more.
+ Diplomacy is reasonably fun, a lot less binary than Total Warhammer (or even more advanced games such as in Total War Troy).
+ Combat is good, not Total Warhammer level of detail but satisfying, deep and enjoyable in its own right.
+ Game is fun in all stages, campaign starts off relatively mild and personal, then ramps up and things get cooked in the lategame, potentially reaching breakneck complexity - a lot better than steamrolling Warhammer slog I'm used to.
+ Lots of playstyles and viable approaches, game is very RP friendly too.
+ Updates\expansions add the stuff that would be unthinkable for Total Warhammer or frankly most other games. Whole new map layer for your every campaign? Your entire race changes at your command? So you can play not even a humanoid, but a customizable dragon now - and game won't break for it?! It feels surreal they actually pull it off, amazing work from the entire team.
+ Meta-progression, basically campaigns give progress for tree with unlockables - it feels very good, adds weights to campaigns and entices to come back for more runs over time. Base variety doesn't feel lacking either.
+ Characters exist between runs, like, you know, actual characters would in the universe; creating anything here is breathing life instead of making flat avatars, your people can (optionally) find themselves in your new campaigns, reminding you of the path you've walked before - which is very good for such a customizable game.
+ Modding is there - haven't yet dabbled into it, but at least it's a small pro; Vanilla so far is fun enough for me though.
+ Good atmosphere and music, game has a vibe to get lost in.
Cons:
- It may be a bit overwhelming if you're unexperienced like me; Take it slow and I promise it's worth learning the game.
- Reliant on magical themes, I would wish that I could do a mostly non-magical playthrough, but I can already go with a variety of more "grounded" magic\alchemy. Besides, it fits lore and atmosphere a lot better the way it is now.
- Some interactions and pop-up events can get repetitive, I feel like there could be more variety\flavor in content like that. Probably fixable by modding, but it doesn't bother me much - it's a relatively small part of the game.
TL;DR Game is very good, if you think you'll like it - try it for sure.

After one year playing, I am really satisfied with this game.
By itself it is an amazing gaming. Tons of variability, top notch graphics for a fantasy game, interesting mechanics. I woudl say that only the AI is not top-class.
But the reall good part is: The developers show a tremendous amount of love for this game, with relevant updates, both for those paying for DLC and for those that not; creating factions is a pleasure, renewed with every update.
I am deeply grateful for them. I only dream of the many expansions they do, now and years ahead.

I don't write reviews very often, but this game... man, this game...
Let's start with the fact that the only Age of Wonders game I've played before this was Planetfall. This game is a HUGE step up from that experience (not that Planetfall was bad, this is just leagues better.)
- The customization is incredible, and provides ample roleplaying opportunities for those who enjoy that.
- It's turn based and you can have plenty of fun against the AI, so no need to rely on an active online community.
- The game has open mod support, a big win in my eyes. Though the game is perfectly fun as is.
Now let's look at a few downsides.
- DLC is pricy, especially if you want both expansion packs as it might total the amount of an entirely second game.
- Lag and performance issues on large maps with high player counts.
- Online co-op suffers from desync issues that may regularly cause you to go through a brief reload, in some cases this can happen every turn.
- Matches can be very time consuming, be prepared to save and return later. Even someone who spends all day gaming could find themselves spending an entire day on one massive match.
Of course there are other subjective flaws to the game that other reviews may touch on. For me, this game is incredible and is my current obsession. If you like fantasy and strategy games, this is something to look into, especially on sale. Get that wishlist and find an opportunity to jump into this game.

Heroes of Might and magic + Civilization. Even without the expansions it is a very solid game that can be replayed many times over.

So the FREE WEEKEND got me. I downloaded and before I knew it had put 10hrs on the game and decided to purchase. It's very fun and very diverse. You can create basically whatever type faction you've always wanted.
The scenarios seem interesting and overall the games easy enough to learn but feels like there is a much deeper level to it once you really understand the game.
All this said - I ABSOLUTELY HATE SALES MODELS LIKE THIS. I absolutely hate games that have 50 different DLCs and it's specifically why I waited, and had to seriously consider before purchasing, and typically don't buy games like this. I believe it's ridiculous sales practices that aren't necessary.
Buy on heavy discount sale or not at all is my recommendation.

This is my first time writing a review, and I couldn’t have picked a better game to start with. "Age of Wonders 4" is nothing short of brilliant, delivering an immersive and engaging experience that keeps you coming back for more (yeah, I have lost my sleep)
Pros:
1. The combat system in "Age of Wonders 4" is intricate and rewarding. Every battle feels like a chess match where strategic thinking and tactical prowess are crucial. The variety of units and abilities available allows for a rich, dynamic combat experience that never gets old.
2. One of the game’s strongest features is its extensive customisation options. Players can mix and match different factions, units, and spells to create unique builds that suit their play style. This, combined with procedural generated maps, ensures that no two games are ever the same, providing endless replayability.
3. While the economic system in "Age of Wonders 4" is more straightforward compared to other 4X games, it remains a vital part of the gameplay. The simplicity ensures that players can focus more on strategy and combat without getting bogged down by overly complex economic micromanagement.
4. The developers have done an excellent job with DLCs and expansions, adding new content that enhances the game without feeling obligatory. The base game is fully enjoyable on its own, but those looking for more content will find the additional packs enriching and worthwhile.
5. "Age of Wonders 4" offers a rewarding meta-progression system (Pantheon). Each session you complete earns you points towards meta rewards, providing a satisfying sense of progression and long-term goals beyond individual game sessions.
6. The game’s fantasy setting is beautifully crafted, immersing players in a rich world filled with magic, mythical creatures, and epic battles. The world-building are captivating, making the experience all the more enchanting.
Cons:
1. While the gameplay mechanics shine, the story in "Age of Wonders 4" falls flat. It lacks the depth and engagement found in other parts of the game. The narrative is often forgettable, and players might find themselves skipping through dialogues without much concern for the plot.

Runs well for me so far. I miss the Races having their own distinct identity in their units. Kinda makes them all feel samey. But on the other hand, being able to completely customize your race is really cool. Good for the roleplay aspect.

Full disclaimer: My first age of wonders game was AOW3. From what people tell me, I'm supposed to hate that game, but I don't. So, take my opinion with a grain of salt.