Feelgood Hit of the Summoner: “Archons of Doom” is a Quirky, Turn-Based Strategy Gem

In a world saturated with real-time strategy games, Archons of Doom stands out as a unique and charmingly complex turn-based title that’s well worth dusting off. Developed and published by Third Impression, this indie strategy game, which first hit the scene in late 2021, is a delightful throwback to classic PC titles, focusing on a deep fantasy-horror experience filled with summoning, spells, and a touch of the macabre. If you’re looking to get a feel-good hit of summoning creatures to do your bidding, this is the game for you.

The game’s premise is delightfully straightforward and evil: you play as an Archon of Doom, a powerful dark spirit with one goal—to conquer the universe. To do so, you must command a “Celestial Court” of horrifying creatures, from the horrifying Undead that return to life when slain to futuristic Robots that can be powered up and unleashed on your foes. Each level is a turn-based clash of wills against a rival Archon, with the added challenge of fighting off independent creatures that defend their realms.

Deep Gameplay, Hidden Movement, and Strategic Depth

The gameplay of Archons of Doom is where it truly shines. It’s a game that rewards patience and tactical thinking, with a number of mechanics that set it apart from its peers:

• Hidden Movement and Fog of War: The game features a classic fog-of-war mechanic, where the map is hidden until you explore it. The twist is “hidden movement,” meaning you don’t know what your enemies are or where they are until you encounter them, leading to tense and unpredictable encounters.
• Spellcasting and Power-Ups: Archons are powerful magic users, with 42 unique spells to find and unlock. You can also draw powerful “magical circles” on the ground to boost your units’ powers, giving you a crucial tactical advantage.
• Strategic Variety: The game offers a wide array of creatures, each with unique abilities. Some can fly, others can drain the life force from foes, and some can even charm enemies to join your side. This provides a huge amount of strategic variety and ensures that every match feels different.
• Replayability: With 18 levels to conquer, a “Conquer the Universe” campaign, and random generation of Archons and realms for skirmishes, the game offers a huge amount of replayability. There’s even an “Archon Designer” to create your own unique dark spirit.

While the game did not receive a massive commercial push, it has garnered a dedicated cult following on platforms like Steam for its unique style and commitment to a genre that is often overlooked. The game’s turn-based format, which some players found to be a bit slow, is actually its greatest strength, allowing you to meticulously plan every move without the pressure of a ticking clock.

With multiple endings and a rich, gothic atmosphere, Archons of Doom is a perfect hidden gem for any strategy game enthusiast who wants to try something different. It’s a game that proves that sometimes, all you need is a diabolical plan, a horde of monsters, and a single goal: to conquer all.