Reviews and Post-Release Press

[Annette]

Gamespot has just posted their review of Dominions 3. Their score of 8.2 breaks down as follows:

Gameplay _ 9
Graphics _ 4
Sound _ 5
Value _ 9
Tilt _ 10

Reviewer Jeff Lackey writes:

The wealth of options means that no single strategy or nation is a sure win (as opposed to other multiplayer games, where playing as certain factions and using certain units and tactics can practically guarantee victory), and you are likely to encounter something you've never seen before every game.

Therein lies the beauty of Dominions 3. Whether playing single-player or multiplayer, you can experiment with a practically infinite variety of tactical and strategic choices and never find a "best" one, because your opponent has the same breadth of options. Dominions 3 is a world both deep and ultimately mesmerizing to the strategy fanatic. If you prefer your games fast and flashy, you'll hate Dominions 3. But if you're the kind of strategy gamer who revels in hunkering down with a highly complex and deep game with a phone-book sized manual and a steep learning curve that really makes you pause, ponder, and think, this is definitely the game for you

The full review is HERE (link).

[Annette]

I'm happy to say we just got word that Cyberstratege has awarded Dominions 3 it's Golden Laurel award for Strategy Game of 2006. Silver Award went to Heroes V and Bronze Award to Medieval: Total War. Read about it in the issue hitting newstands in France and Belgium on Friday. Congratulations, Johan and Kristoffer!

[Annette]

Veteran computer game reviewer Troy S. Goodfellow has posted his review of Dominions 3 at Flash of Steel.

Though it can sometimes seem overwhelming, Dominions 3 is probably better at conveying that Grand Strategy sense of ruling a kingdom at war than any other game of 2006.

Think of it. A fantasy strategy game with wizards and centaurs is better at making me feel like Napoleon than Crown of Glory...

Some people complain about the price, but this is a game with more replayability than almost any flashy FPS and it comes with one of those “real manuals” that people say they used to like but miss...when the dog days of August come around and my computer needs to have stuff removed to make room for the next Age of Supreme Civilization expansion, Dominions 3 isn’t going anywhere.

The full article is found HERE (link).

[Annette]

I haven't received my copy yet, but according to metacritic.com
the February issue of PC Gamer gives Dominions 3 a score of 83, saying:

If you want great depth and bang for your buck, you can't go wrong with Dominions 3. [Feb. 2007, p.66]

[Annette]

A score of 85% from eToychest Edward Pollard writes:

The single player game is replete with innumerable options and settings, and the AI is robust and well worth playing. However, Dominions 3 features multiplayer offerings like almost no other game allowing over a dozen real world generals to clash in a large-scale conflict of nail-biting battles and second-guessed alliances. The diversity of the core game and how real world players will collide guarantees a diversity of tactics and options allowing nearly limitless variety in overcoming your opposition, so unlike other games of this type the war isn't over until the last battle is fought.

Dominions 3 pretty much stands alone at what it does, and its central gameplay is well balanced and extremely fun. .. if you're the slightest bit intrigued as to what Dominions 3 has to offer, you should most definitely check it out. Few games are this genuinely unique. Even if the polish is lacking to the point of absenteeism, the game remains brilliant.

The full review is HERE (link).

[Gandalf Parker]

Scott does fantastic work. I set up automatic news alerts on things that interest me and I see a definate difference between the PR work at Shrapnel vs other places.

[Annette]

Gaming Nexus has posted their review of Dominions 3 with a score of 8.7. Reviewer Tyler Sager wites:

...the AI is quite good on its own, and it has trounced me completely in each game I’ve played. I just don’t quite have the hang of things yet, and I haven’t found the perfect Pretender to suit my liking. However, there are countless combinations to try yet, and I’m sure I’ll get it right eventually. And I’m having a blast in the mean time.

"Tyler explains why the latest installment in the Dominions saga is worth picking up and adding to your collection" HERE (link).

[ceremony]

Giles Bird gives Dominions 3 four out of five stars at Yahoo! Videogames.

Also, in the year-end awards section in the March issue of Computer Games Magazine, Dominions 3 is named #7 in the top ten games of 2006. Not just strategy games, but all games.