Age of Darkness: Final Stand Review (1.0)

This is an updated review of the game. I have firstly reviewed it on 24 January 2024 when it was in Early Access on Steam and the updated review is about the final version of the game, reviewed in 1.0 state on 20 January 2025.

Age of Darkness: Final Stand immediately caught my eye. As someone who’s spent countless hours fortifying bases and battling waves of enemies in strategy games, I thought I had a pretty good idea of what to expect. But this game? It’s a whole different story.

You begin with a small group of fighters and a tiny patch of safe land. The world is shrouded in a sinister darkness, and you just know that lurking beyond the shadows are terrifying creatures, waiting to strike. Your mission? Expand your base, illuminate the darkness, and do whatever it takes to survive.

First Impressions

Here’s the thing: this game doesn’t take it easy on you. There’s no one to hold your hand and show you how it’s done. Instead, you’re tossed into a dark world, and the only way to learn is by failing. But as much as failure can sting, every time I had to start over, I was armed with new tricks and a better plan.

There’s a lot more to think about than just fighting monsters, though. You’ve got buildings to place, resources to manage, and people to keep safe. Every choice feels important, and there’s a real weight to what you do because the darkness is always there, waiting to push in.

Multiplayer

1.0 version added a coop multiplayer and it’s a very welcome addition to the game and I’ve seen that many requested it on Steam forums. In the co-op mode, players need to manage their resources, expand their base, and prepare for the deadly night cycles where enemies become more aggressive. With the pressure of limited resources and time, teamwork becomes essential. As players coordinate to construct walls, gather materials, and train units, they must also plan for the night, when the enemy attacks with greater intensity. The day-night cycle and resource management aspects create a challenging yet rewarding dynamic, especially when working with an ally.

In the early stages, players will need to quickly establish a strong economy by building dwellings, gathering wood, and setting up farms to feed their growing population. The game emphasizes strategy as players must decide the best use of their resources—whether to focus on defense or developing the infrastructure to sustain their efforts. The tension rises as players approach the night phase, where each decision becomes critical. The multiplayer aspect shines in how it forces players to adapt, share resources, and manage space efficiently. Missteps can lead to disastrous outcomes, adding to the challenge and excitement of surviving the harsh nights together.

Feeling Out the Game

The early game can be tough. You might think you’re doing well, only to realize you forgot to counter the horde of enemies that come knocking every few nights. These “Death Nights” aren’t messing around – they’re like opening the gates to monster city, and suddenly you wish you’d built that tower or trained more archers.

You’ve got to be on your toes at all times. Make sure to expand, build up, and have your fighters ready. Or better yet, build walls because, well, the phrase “better safe than sorry” comes to mind.

The Good, The Bad and The Dark

There’s a lot to like in “Age of Darkness: Final Stand.” When you finally hit your stride – when you’ve got towers raining arrows down on waves of monsters, and your soldiers are ready to take on the darkness – it feels fantastic. It’s like you’re the hero of your very own epic tale, standing tall against impossible odds.

On the flip side, the game can be brutal. I mean, you can do everything right, but one slip-up, and you’re witnessing your last stronghold being swarmed. There’s no mercy in those moments, and all you can do is watch as your hard work is undone in a matter of seconds.

Gameplay Mechanics

You don’t control the little details in this one. There’s none of that “send Bob from the lumber mill to chop wood” thing. Your focus is the bigger picture: building stuff, managing resources, and making sure everyone is where they need to be when the darkness comes knocking. This part is cool because it lets you concentrate on expanding your territory and sorting out your defenses.

Here’s where I have to get real with you. The game has some rough spots. The camera movement feels wonky – not as smooth as you’d want in a game where keeping an eye on the action is key. And then there’s your fighters, your precious defenders. Sometimes they do this thing where they just stand there, not fighting, and you must practically drag them into the fray.

All said and done, I can’t ignore the thrill “Age of Darkness: Final Stand” gives me. Every new run is an adventure. Even if I mess up, I want to dive back in, try a different plan, or pick another faction. I mean, who knows if the next time I’ll be the one to beat back the darkness once and for all?

Verdict