Conquest of Elysium 5 Reviews

Assuming you like 4X games and long campaigns of turn-based war, this game has a lot to be liked and only a little to be annoyed with, so I will start with the bad stuff since it is easy to go over and is VERY easy to fix, I personally don't understand how they haven't been improved already in quality of life updates. Bad: - There are some harmful events that randomly occur at the beginning of turns such as but not limited to, a mad cultist has opened up a gate to literal Hell somewhere on the map and you have to find it and close it before the whole realm is flooded with demons, and basically the same scenario but for spirits spilling in from Hades, and a perfect cube attracting a whole bunch of cosmic horrors to the world. These events are actually quite fun to stop and deal with for in-game months on end BUT because they spawn in random areas of the map and at random times, sometimes it is literally impossible for you to reach it before it's already too late and your army is likely no longer strong enough to stop it, or the event happens so early in the game within the first couple turns that the situation seems even more hopeless, especially since the computer players seem to put no effort into doing anything about it. I feel like all that needs changing in this is making either the computer players target the event if they are within reach to help stop it from happening or at the very least have it spawn closer to a human player. - You cannot continue playing the game once all other players are defeated! It has happened more than once that I corner the last remaining player into a corner so they don't bother me anymore while I focus on trying to traverse and explore the other realms within the game that are very difficult to go and explore, and then the computer suicides itself into one of my armies/fortifications or just straight up loses to independents and then the game just instantly ends for me. Why there is no button that allows you to keep going is beyond me. - This one's pretty minor, but there are a good amount of stealthy/invisible units on the map that can realistically just be anywhere and without a scout it is impossible to see them, and if you walk into them and can't see them, you get ambushed in such a way that your leader is always most vulnerable. This of course isn't a problem at all if you have a scout and it's unlikely the stealthy units are just on a regular space but the game never spawns you with one no matter which faction you play and so at the beginning of the game you are always at the mercy of the recruitment options and just have to wait possibly 10+ turns until you can get one. It has happened to me that on the first turn of the game I walk into a tile just a step away from my citadel and instantly get ambushed by a cosmic horror I never possibly could have predicted would be there and instantly lose the game, so no starting scout kinda sucks. Good: - The variety in playstyles between all the factions are so rich and fun, it's an amazing feeling having a complete mastery over one faction and still being able to relearn the game through the lens of a different faction and learning which rituals work best for them, and which units are good to produce. Many of the factions do follow the same algorithm of getting the special resource they need for their mastery rituals, saving enough for their "Summon God" ritual or whatever overpowered unit they have, and then effectively just winning the game, but the steps to actually get to that point for each faction are always so different and the mid-game typically has balance and army size all over the place and I love that. - The lore! Every single unit and even just the little things like the cabbages on the farm you're battling on all have their own descriptions that help you immerse yourself in what elysium is all about. This game's no story game of course but it is cool seeing the mesh of DND and pretty much every mythology mixed up in this creative narrative of a world, especially with the units that are completely original. - The game is difficult and unforgiving at times, but is almost never in such a way that you feel like you could have done nothing to pull through and come out standing (minus the global event stuff I mentioned in the beginning). Even the most atrocious spawns you've ever seen where you're stuck on a deserted island or just very close to cosmic horror summoning pyramids that you can never stop from making more, are all doable if you just know to expand somewhere else quick or use it to your advantage since others will have trouble reaching you. Play more, get better, and you'll start to realize patterns in how the unit AI and the independents on the map think and operate, making them more predictable with experience. The learning curve is hard since there is no tutorial or real clues as to what you should even be doing as your faction aside from the overview at the beginning but sometimes being self-taught can be a wonderful thing and it only makes it that much more rewarding once you figure it out. - The items/artifacts and wounds/afflictions your leaders and armies get can change gameplay pretty drastically at times, with the items especially for captains who have nothing special going for them other than the ability to command armies. Things like units with damaging auras around them that damages even allies around them or spellcasters that have aoe attacks that can hurt your own units are fun to customize around and make still fit in your army despite being risky and potentially lossy to yourself. Items can be passed around to anyone in the army you want assuming it's not cursed so there is a lot of cool customization to be had in that and even the spells your leaders can cast in battle. You also have to plan ahead when fighting others with things like leaving an accessory slot open for your leader so that the cursed item you retrieve from the enemy goes to them, and not some random spearman. - If the game feels a little samey even with different factions, there's always the option of different time periods which change the way the map is generated and feels to traverse pretty significantly THOUGH I will warn you that from my experience empire is the most balanced for everyone while every other time is typically way better for some factions than others. In conclusion: Uh yeah I like this game and you should get it if you read this far.

Never have I ever enjoyed being a religious fanatic that initiates crusades and inquisitions in order to fill the pockets of my greedy bishops. Yep that's a first.

Conquest of Elysium 5 stands out as a deep and multifaceted turn-based fantasy strategy game that challenges players with its complexity and variety. Developed by Illwinter Game Design, this installment builds significantly on the foundation of the earlier titles in the series, offering a rich tapestry of gameplay mechanics and strategic options that appeal especially to fans of intricate, high-level strategy games. Unlike many other fantasy strategy games, Conquest of Elysium 5 emphasizes asymmetric faction design, procedural map generation, and multi-layered strategic decision-making that make every playthrough feel fresh and unique. At the heart of the game is its impressive roster of 24 factions, each bringing a distinct identity, mechanics, and victory conditions to the table. Whether commanding an army of undead necromancers, summoning otherworldly creatures as a sorcerer, or leading a more traditional human faction, players must master very different playstyles. This faction diversity encourages experimentation, as learning the strengths and weaknesses of each group becomes a key part of long-term success. The asymmetric nature of these factions means that typical “one-size-fits-all” strategies rarely work, and players must carefully adapt their tactics depending on who they face and the specific resources available on the randomly generated map. The game's map system is another highlight, featuring multiple planes of existence that add a fascinating layer of complexity. Each plane—ranging from the infernal realms to elemental worlds—offers unique strategic opportunities and risks. Players can access these planes via rituals or by conquering specific locations, allowing for resource exploitation or the summoning of powerful units native to those realms. This multi-plane mechanic greatly expands the strategic scope, as decisions made on one plane can ripple across others, influencing diplomacy, warfare, and resource management. It elevates the gameplay beyond traditional territory conquest into a dynamic puzzle where managing different realities is as important as battlefield tactics. Combat in Conquest of Elysium 5 reflects the game’s overall depth, requiring players to consider terrain, unit abilities, and timing with great care. Battles take place on varied terrains that affect movement and combat effectiveness, forcing players to think critically about unit placement and maneuvering. The tactical layer is enhanced by the fact that many factions can employ rituals, summon creatures, or manipulate the environment to turn the tide of battle. The AI opponents, while improved from previous installments, occasionally display predictable behavior patterns, but still provide a solid challenge that rewards careful planning and adaptation. Presentation-wise, the game maintains a functional and utilitarian aesthetic that favors clarity over spectacle. The user interface is clean but packed with information, which can be overwhelming initially but becomes more manageable as players familiarize themselves with the mechanics. Steam Workshop integration enriches the experience by allowing users to create and share custom factions, maps, and scenarios, greatly extending replayability and community engagement. Although the visuals and sound design are modest, they effectively serve the gameplay without unnecessary distraction. Multiplayer is a strong component of Conquest of Elysium 5, supporting both competitive and cooperative modes. Players can team up to face AI opponents, coordinating complex strategies that leverage their factions’ unique strengths. The simultaneous turn system helps keep games flowing smoothly, avoiding the downtime often associated with traditional turn-based strategy titles. This social element adds another dimension to the game, fostering camaraderie and rivalry alike, and encouraging players to refine their tactics through shared experience. The game’s complexity is a double-edged sword. While it offers a rewarding and deeply strategic experience for dedicated players, newcomers may find the steep learning curve intimidating. The sparse tutorial and reliance on player experimentation mean that initial sessions can feel overwhelming. Additionally, late-game pacing can slow down, as players track down the last surviving enemies and contend with random events that occasionally prolong the conclusion. These factors may deter some but ultimately underscore the game’s commitment to deep, thoughtful strategy rather than quick, casual play. In sum, Conquest of Elysium 5 is a richly rewarding title for those who seek a challenging and varied fantasy strategy experience. Its vast array of factions, multi-plane gameplay, and tactical combat create a layered game world that demands both strategic foresight and adaptability. Though it may require patience and dedication to fully appreciate, the payoff is a uniquely deep and satisfying journey into fantasy conquest that stands apart from more mainstream strategy games. Rating: 8/10

Scratches that itch for turn based, map spell-casting, world domination strategy game. So many different units, so many different races, all of them have some kind of lore in their description. There's like 14 classes, including necromancer. There's like 10 different planes of existence that you can travel to, the map you start on is ***ONE*** of them. From Elysium (starter), to the underground, the sky, hades, heaven, hell, void, etc. The depth of this game is amazing. The art-style is somewhat pixely, and battles are automatic. This is a multiplayer game, but single player works really well too. Modder friendly. I love this game, can't wait for COE6. Genuinely think this game is worth full price if you're into these kinds of games.

I have a very complicated relationship with this game. I play it for a few hours, get bored, uninstall, then I remember how fun it actually was a few weeks later and re-install it. This is an endless cycle. The game is somehow just the right mix of being simple and being complicated. That said, as I mentioned before, it does get a bit boring and repetitive once you actually get into a rhythm. But it is always a fun game to get back into.

As a long time Dominions player it took me a very long time to try this game out. Gotta say in many ways its better than Dominions. Very enjoyable and shares a lot of the same lore, units, etc. but it is a very different game in the best of ways.

The worldbuilding and just flavor of the game is impeccably good, the best flavor I have EVER seen. If there was a movie or indie animation or SOMETHING set in this universe I would instantly watch it. There is so much creative potential and everything is so fleshed out. The world is chaotic with a lot of stuff that normally would be the singular "magic system" of a world. The only thing I can compare it to is dandadan with its multiple crazy power systems. This is absolute cinema. Now for gameplay its pretty simple with a twist for each faction, but its really fun. Go out, fight battle, capture resources, make strong guys and repeat with some crazy shit in the middle sometimes. This is better than most games in my library.

Excellent game! each nation is extremely detailed and utterly unique, all different play styles. Lots of Mods add depth, like the extra income and starting defences is a must. Please make the Snow move on dwarves work though, a slow unit with snow move should move 2 spaces in snow. it does not.

Wondering around capturing mines and villages, fighting giant ants and demonic monsters. A moose walks into my town. Game over. 180 hours later... still loving it and I haven't even scratched the surface or tried every faction.

I definitely recommend this game to anyone that likes Dominions, and also to anyone that thinks they might like Dominions but is kind of intimidated by it. It's basically "beer & pretzels Dominions," with simpler mechanics and a turn-based structure (instead of simultaneous turns) and more of an emphasis on exploration, but with a similarly crazy depth of content and lore.