Six Ages: Ride Like the Wind 12+

Deeper

More of the same formula as king of dragon pass but more fully realised depth and variation. Battles in particular have much more variation and varied outcomes. Epic! Also great to explore unknown lore of Glorantha.

Edit: a few weeks in- the initial similarities to king of dragon pass give way to a realisation that this is their new masterpiece. Nuance and depth abound- every corner has been refined and the love in the design is deeply evident. Surprises around every corner and new large world changing events make it all feel dangerous and uncertain. Success feels as it does in real life- an exhilarating combination of high attention, skill and luck (although you feel as you learn that you can influence your own luck).

I have mixed feelings about this game

Like I said I really do have mixed feelings about this game. On one level I like it and I’ve had many hours of fun with it. On another level it’s frustrating as hell. the game is, in my opinion, severely loaded in favour of the computer. You almost never get ahead after the first few years in the valley while computer generated clans keep getting richer and more powerful while you go downhill no matter what choices you make and I’ve pretty well made them all. You go for peace and you get slaughtered. You go for a balance of farming, combat, worship, trade and sacrifice and nothing works. The advice you get is pointless some of the time such as when they suggest you have somebody on the circle that worships a particular god only to discover that you don’t actually have an option for somebody that worships that god or you’re told you need to explore and you find nothing while other clans have no trouble finding stuff. No wonder the developer says he doesn’t want to give the plot away. There’s virtually no way to win that’s why in my opinion.

Developer Response ,

It’s a difficult game, even on the “Easier” difficulty. And we can’t tell you, a moisture farmer, that you win by trusting the Force. But we know that players are winning (some multiple times so I can’t give an exact number). sixages.com/tips/ has some tips on how to do well enough that you’ll get your X-wing.

Similar but more engaging.

I loved Kings of Dragon Pass, 24 hours in this seems more involved and immersive. If a game can be complicated stimulating and accessible then this is it. Rich levels of detail and replay-ability, with ‘one more click’ fighting with the instinct to research about the issue your dealing with, plan the tribal objectives and deal with the unexpected. This is interactive fiction at its best, where the more you let your imagination be stimulated, the more rewarding the experience is. Great job, great game!