Age of Darkness: Final Stand

Age of Darkness: Final Stand is a survival real-time strategy game that combines base-building with intense defense against waves of nightmarish enemies. Players appreciate its challenging gameplay and the adrenaline rush of preparing defenses before overwhelming hordes attack. The game features a dark fantasy setting with a grim atmosphere, supported by solid graphics and sound design. Multiplayer co-op mode is praised for enhancing the experience, though some players report persistent bugs and crashes in this mode. The campaign is considered functional but somewhat limited and repetitive, with some criticism aimed at the difficulty curve and balancing issues. AI and pathfinding for units are frequently mentioned as problematic, leading to frustrating gameplay moments. Despite these flaws, many players find the game enjoyable and worth buying, especially during sales. The developers have ceased updates, which disappoints some fans hoping for further improvements or DLC. Overall, the game offers an addictive, intense RTS experience with room for polish and content expansion.

Highlights

Players praise Age of Darkness for its intense survival RTS gameplay and the unique blend of base-building with defense mechanics. The dark fantasy art style and atmospheric sound design create an immersive experience. Multiplayer co-op is a highlight, allowing friends to share the challenge and victories. The game’s challenging difficulty is appreciated by those seeking a tough but rewarding experience. The UI is generally considered clear and user-friendly, and the hero units add strategic depth. Many compare it favorably to classics like They Are Billions, appreciating its fresh take on the genre despite some rough edges.

Criticisms

Common criticisms focus on the poor AI and pathfinding of units, which often get stuck or fail to attack properly. The difficulty curve is seen as unbalanced, with some labeling it excessively punishing, especially in the campaign. Resource management and storage limits frustrate players due to micromanagement demands. Multiplayer suffers from bugs and frequent crashes, with the game now abandoned by developers, leaving these issues unresolved. Visual clarity suffers from some rough graphics and terrain blending, making it hard to identify features. Some players find the gameplay repetitive and desire more content variety and upgrades. Overall, the game is seen as having great potential but held back by design and technical flaws.