Dominions 6: Rise of the Pantokrator

Dominions 6: Rise of the Pantokrator is the sixth installment in a series of turn-based grant strategy games, originating in 2001, letting players "play god". Like the rest of the series, it was developed by Illwinter Game Design.

Plot

Dominions 6: Rise of the Pantokrator is set in a fantasy universe inspired by ancient Aztec, Greek and Roman beliefs, Slavic mythology and even the works of H.P. Lovecraft.

We play as a deity aiming to become the titular Pantokrator. To become the supreme ruler we must lay waste to all our competitors.

Mechanics

Dominions 6: Rise of the Pantokrator begins with us choosing a playable character. These include archmages, dragons, mighty titans and even giant trees or monuments.

We must also choose our abilities and blessings to endow our lands with. After that we must choose one of over a hundred factions, which primarily differ in terms of available units. These choices affect what opportunities we'll have during the game.

Most of the gameplay is turn-based, tasking us with managing our rising empire. We must handle the economy, learn magic, unlock new spells, blessings and recruit troops to battle enemies with. Aside from regular units we can also recruit heroes (and upgrade them by giving them better gear) and powerful creatures of legend.

Combat is real-time; after issuing orders we can watch the battle unfold while changing the playback speed. There are three ways to come out on top; conquer all of the enemies' land, annihilate them or take control of the Thrones of Ascension.

Compared to the fifth game, Rise of the Pantrokrator stands our mostly due to:

1. larger fieldable armies;
2. balance changes (mages are more expensive, more mid-level spells, spells covering the entire battlefield are more difficult to cast);
3. new path of magic - Glamour, including illusions;
4. separating riders and mounts, giving both of them separate stats.

Game modes

Dominions 6: Rise of the Pantokrator supports singleplayer, as well as cooperative and competitive multiplayer (online, through LAN or hot seat, alternating on the same PC).

Technical aspects

Visually, Dominions 6: Rise of the Pantokrator consists of a 2D world map and interface, 3D battle maps and units portrayed as sprites.