Warhammer Age of Sigmar: Realms of Ruin was recently reviewed on various platforms, including being available on Xbox Series X|S, PS5, and PC since its release on November 17. The RTS game from Frontier Developments is visually satisfying and full of accessible fantasy violence, but ultimately falls short due to its narrow unit rosters and flawed single-player campaign.
The game itself takes place in the expansive Age of Sigmar universe and marks the first RTS to delve into such a setting. While the game captures the spectacle of Age of Sigmar through vibrant graphics and animation, the single-player campaign is disjointed and lacking in depth. It features linear battles with no adequate framing device to tie the story together, making it feel incomplete.
Combat in Realms of Ruin is accessible and easy to learn, but lacks depth and strategic complexity. The traditional unit triangle formula drives the strategy, leading to predictable outcomes and leaving much to be desired for a deeper, more engaging experience. However, the game offers compelling active abilities for each unit, adding an extra layer of strategy, but with infrequent variance due to cooldowns, and lacks the true intensity seen in games like Command & Conquer or Starcraft 2.
Despite its shortcomings, Realms of Ruin boasts an impressive single-player campaign with high-quality motion-captured cutscenes and strong visual fidelity. However, the disjointed narrative and lack of exposition hinder the storytelling experience. Fortunately, the game’s multiplayer systems, including a powerful map builder, robust ranked and casual matches, and custom army painting tools, make up for the shortcomings of the single-player campaign.
Overall, Warhammer Age of Sigmar: Realms of Ruin is a great choice for fans of the setting or those new to the RTS genre. While it may not offer substantial depth, the visually impressive battles and range of accessibility features provide an accessible and enjoyable experience. Despite its flaws, Realms of Ruin still manages to offer an enjoyable and engaging RTS experience.
