As a powerful wizard, you start by ruling a small nation as you plot to take over the world! Rule over seven diverse races, from shapeshifting Theria, to spider-riding Dwarves, to the decadent Regency. Explore a vast fantasy world, expand by building more cities, battle the armies of rival wizards, and cast earth-shattering enchantments to ensure your victory.
Leylines is a 4X game, a turn-based strategy game of exploration and conquest. The game features 150 different units and 80 different spells, customizable heroes and a map editor.
I really hate having to give negative feedback on a small indie game like Leylines; making a game is hard and making one that attempts to take up the mantle of 4x classics like Master of Magic is even harder. Having said that I just cannot recommend Leylines at this moment.
Presentation-wise I was charmed by the low-key graphics. Game graphics are clean...
Unfortunately Steam does not give a neutral review.
What I liked: Great art. Fabulous, stylish, original. Respect for the painter.
What disappointed me:
Design decisions about the structure of the game is a clone of the decisions of the 25-year-old with all the negative details: total micro-management and "turtle disease" turn-based strategies.
But...
Do not buy, this game is unfinished and broken. Basic actions such as the assassinate skill from the assassin don't work and crash the game. The main draw such as casting spells from your wizard also don't work. I got partway through the tutorial and the computer simply hung out in a single town with an invincible 6 creatures. I controlled the entire...
Tried this for a while, but ended up refunding it. Keep in mind that I only played the tutorial so that I could refund it in case I didn't like it -- there is the possibility that things improve later in the game.
If you never played games of this type before, you might still enjoy it as an introductory title.
I had hoped it would be similar to Master...
The game has some ergonomic issues, like poor map navigation and a (IMHO) suboptimal key mapping that caused me to do the wrong thing a few times, but I think the game is a nice addition to the list of MoM spiritual successors. It has some novel mechanics and I think it's well balanced, so I've enjoyed my time.
