Age of Conquest: Overview

Sharpen your blades and lean into the “swords and sorcery, mysticism and melee” vibe in Age of Conquest, a fantasy slot from Microgaming partner Neon Valley Studios. The last time we encountered the Las Vegas-based studio was through their Mega Moolah network title, Atlantean Treasures, which seems to be performing nicely. Still, it felt like the sort of release most players would overlook if it didn’t have that famous progressive jackpot tied to it.

In many ways, Age of Conquest feels like the mirror opposite of Atlantean Treasures. On the one hand, it delivers snappy, well-paced play; on the other, it comes with less-than-epic win potential. Does one side outweigh the other, or do they balance out in the end?

One quick note before diving in: Age of Conquest has no connection to the turn-based strategy wargame, in case any gamers were wondering. The title may sound a bit broad, but Neon has clearly put effort into giving the theme some narrative support. There’s mention of elemental powers battling for dominion over mythical kingdoms, or something along those lines. It works—fantasy slots benefit from a bit of world-building.

For players, that story mainly sets the stage for the 5-reel, 3-row layout, presented with a very Winterfell-like atmosphere. The distant castle looks like somewhere Ned Stark might have ruled from. Snowy mountains frame the scene, and an immersive soundtrack helps sell the mood.

To begin, choose your stake using the +/- controls. Bets range from 20 p/c up to $/€200 per spin. The game’s stats may divide opinion, but most players will be comfortable with the RTP of 96.14%. The math model sits at a medium level which, combined with the modest top-end potential, will likely put some players off. On the plus side, the hit rate is a healthy 27.3%, so wins should land often—just typically on the smaller side as you chase bigger moments.

Age of Conquest also features some appealing symbol art, especially the flowing J-A royals. Above the low pays sit four mid-tier icons: potions, swords, eagles, and horses. These appear only as 1×1 symbols, while the final two premiums—an elven knight and a Sorceress—can show up in 1×1, 1×2, or 1×3 sizes, including full-reel stacks. A line of elven princes pays 15 times the stake, while five Sorceress’ return 10x.

The basic mechanic is straightforward: land three or more matching symbols on one of the 20 paylines from left to right. Wilds are the highest-paying symbol, awarding 50x for five on a line, and they substitute for any regular pay symbol. Beyond that, a handful of extras can appear to keep the action moving.

Age of Conquest: Features

Age of Conquest doesn’t come packed with a huge feature set, but what’s included is enjoyable and helps the gameplay stay brisk. The action begins in the base game with a collection mechanic that can create full reel wilds, and it builds toward a free spins round with an interesting choice at the start.

Above each reel sits a Diamond Meter with two empty slots. Whenever a diamond symbol lands, it is collected into the Diamond Meter for that reel. Once both slots are filled, the Wild Reel feature activates, turning that reel fully wild for two consecutive base game spins.

Keep an eye out for the gold-and-purple throne, which acts as the scatter. It can land on reels 1, 3, or 5, and getting 3 on the screen awards 2x the total bet along with entry to the free spins bonus. Here’s the catch: the bonus begins with a choice of 3 options—2 free spins with 3 wild reels, 8 free spins with 2 wild reels, or 25 free spins with 1 wild reel. In the feature, wild reels may appear anywhere, shifting to different positions on each free spin. Scatters also remain in play, meaning the bonus can be retriggered.

Age of Conquest: Verdict

It’s hard to shake the sense that Age of Conquest doesn’t quite hit the target. From a gameplay standpoint, it’s definitely a step up from Atlantean Treasures—and, importantly, it was genuinely enjoyable to spin. While the feature list is fairly short, it doesn’t feel bare because the Diamond Meters tend to fill at a decent pace, regularly unleashing full reel wilds. The bonus round also holds up well, helping maintain a fast, satisfying rhythm.

Free spins with full reel wilds can be great fun, and the decision of which option to take isn’t easy. Do you go all-in on just two spins, or take the safer route with 25 free spins? During the review, the two-spin choice delivered the best results—though, as always, luck can swing either way.

The real sticking point—the big drawback—is the win potential. At its peak, Age of Conquest can deliver a maximum of only 1,000 times the stake on a single spin. The game’s description talks about ruling the riches of a legendary throne room, but that’s not exactly a fortune worth waging war over. It’s unfortunate, because the slot shows real promise. That said, it can theoretically land back-to-back 500x-1,000x hits, so it’s not entirely without upside.

Overall, Age of Conquest turned out to be a pretty entertaining slot with a strong, classic Microgaming-style feel, and it’s also easy to appreciate visually thanks to its polished presentation. Fantasy fans will find things to like—up to a point. However, the limited potential may be enough to make many serious players pass, which is a shame because the rest of the package is solid.