Age of Wonders: Planetfall is a turn-based strategy game centered on empire building in a sci-fi setting after the collapse of the Star Union. Players lead one of several factions through exploration, resource management, technological advancement, and tactical combat to establish dominance across planetary maps. The Season Pass expands this foundation with three major expansions that introduce new playable factions, environmental challenges, and late-game threats, allowing deeper customization of empires and more varied strategic options.
Gameplay
The core loop revolves around managing an empire on procedurally generated planets while engaging in turn-based tactical battles. Players expand territory, research technologies, negotiate with or conquer rival factions, and customize units through upgrades and specializations. Combat occurs on detailed battlefields where positioning, unit abilities, and terrain destruction play key roles in outcomes. Factions bring distinct playstyles, with base options including militaristic human groups and more exotic races like dinosaur-riding warriors or cyborg collectives. The Season Pass additions integrate seamlessly, bringing aggressive reptilian conquerors known as the Shakarn, who employ holographic disguises for deception and disruption, alongside the Oathbound faction featuring noble Paladins piloting giant battle mechs for frontline engagements.
Empire management includes handling resource chains, sector development, and diplomatic relations that influence long-term success. New content from the expansions adds layers such as ancient religious elements resurfacing, environmental catastrophes that alter maps, and brutal invasion events that test defenses in the endgame. These mechanics encourage adaptive strategies, where early expansion decisions affect how players respond to escalating threats from rival empires or external forces.
Game Modes
Multiple modes support different play preferences. A narrative-driven single-player campaign follows the story of rebuilding amid galactic disunity, incorporating the new factions and threats introduced by the Season Pass expansions. Skirmish maps offer randomized setups for standalone sessions focused on empire growth and combat without overarching plot constraints. Multiplayer supports competitive or cooperative matches against other players, emphasizing balanced faction matchups and tactical decision-making in shared planetary environments.
These modes integrate the base systems with expansion content, such as Shakarn deception tactics or Oathbound mech deployments, to create replayable scenarios. Random map generation ensures variety across sessions, while campaign progression unlocks elements tied to the added lore and mechanics from Revelations, Invasions, and Star Kings.
Factions and Strategic Depth
Base factions provide a range of approaches to empire building and combat, from direct military confrontations to specialized unit synergies. The Season Pass expands this roster significantly. The Shakarn operate as ruthless lizardmen who prioritize infiltration and overwhelming force through disguised units and heavy hitters. The Oathbound emphasize honorable charges with massive armored walkers that dominate open fields and absorb punishment. These additions alter balance in both single-player and multiplayer contexts by introducing counters and synergies not present in the original lineup.
Unit customization remains central, with options to modify troops based on researched technologies and faction traits. Expansions further enhance this through new environmental interactions and invasion mechanics that force players to prepare for sudden escalations. The result is a system where faction choice shapes every phase of play, from initial settlement to final confrontations.
Is It Worth Playing?
Age of Wonders: Planetfall with the Season Pass delivers substantial content for players who enjoy turn-based strategy with strong tactical combat and empire management elements. Reviews on major platforms reflect generally positive reception, highlighting the depth of faction variety and replayability through random maps and campaigns. The expansions add meaningful new options without requiring separate purchases, making the complete package cohesive for those invested in the sci-fi 4X style.
It suits enthusiasts of detailed strategic planning and competitive multiplayer sessions, particularly those drawn to faction asymmetry and escalating late-game challenges. Current player activity remains steady years after release, supported by the full set of updates and additions. For anyone seeking a focused experience in empire expansion and tactical battles, the game with its Season Pass content provides a complete and engaging package that rewards repeated playthroughs across different factions and modes.
