Summary

  • Ranged units like Archers are essential for defense and exploration against Nightmares.
  • Upgrading units and Keep is crucial to survival and pushing back darkness.
  • Keeping the base well-lit and prioritizing stone and iron resources are key strategies.

The developers at Playside Studios have launched their latest title, Age of Darkness: Final Stand. Falling into the real-time strategy genre, Age of Darkness: Final Stand is a survival game that drops players into a sinister medieval world, hanging on by a thread as dark forces seek to tear it down. Nightmares, visceral demons that come from the darkness, descend on the kingdom in waves, and it is up to the hero and his forces to fend off the attack and push the threat back to where it came from.

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Players can choose from one of several heroes and must craft defense, build weapons, and create a powerful collection of units that will serve as humanity's last line of defense. In similar tower defense fashion, players must prioritize defense as well as offense and exploration to gather resources and make it through the grueling waves of enemies that will attack. A fresh first step into the game may be daunting, but with a few tips and a little practice, players will have no problems in taking on the Nightmares of the Death Knights. Here are some beginner tips for Age of Darkness: Final Stand.

6 Ranged Units Are A Must

An Enemy Can't Fight What They Can't Touch

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In Age of Darkness: Final Stand, unit composition is a key factor in handling the horde or succumbing to it. There are multiple types of units in the game that have their own strengths and weaknesses. However, players can not go wrong with early investments into ranged units.

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The ranged units in Age of Darkness: Final Stand are called Archers; they cost one hundred and seventy-five gold and five stone. Archers are a must-have when exploring or defending the map, as they can pelt enemies with focused damage and make a huge difference against the siege of Nightmares the longer the game goes on. Archers are strong and cheap units that can be grouped or placed in towers.

5 Don't Neglect Your Units

Units Need Love To Survive

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Unit composition is a priority, but so is upgrading them and ensuring they are up to the task of facing the endless number of nightmares that will descend upon the kingdom. Upgrading units can make or break a playthrough if units are not doing their best to push back the darkness, and players will end up losing more resources and ground in the process of defending. Players can strengthen their units by upgrading their Keep and unlocking new technologies.

Once done, units can be created with better stats. In addition, players should identify what siege skills are best for their overall composition between the three options of Fearless, Momentum, and Stability trees.

4 Light Is Your Most Precious Tool

The Darkness Hides Many Dangers

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Age of Darkness: Final Stand is a fantasy game where players must combat the darkness wherever they go. While nightmares are one of the game's deadliest threats, other treacherous mechanics will try to foil a player's tactics. One of the mechanics in the game is the fog of war.

In uncertain times, Nightmares can spawn from the Fog of War, and some of these locations can be within your own Base. It is essential to keep your Keep and surrounding areas as brightly lit as possible. Building specific structures such as houses and fire towers is an excellent way to overcome the fog of war and keep the Base safe.

3 Prioritize The Right Resources

Stocking Up Is Never A Bad Thing

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Like most RTS games, multiple resources are used in Age of Darkness: Final Stand for various units, upgrades builds, and unlockables. Players must understand what resources are important for certain areas of the game and where to get them.

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For the majority of the game, both stone and iron will be the most coveted resources since they are used for crafting some of the must-have structures and units in the game. Players should build quarries as often as possible to obtain these resources to ensure productivity and expansion in the playthrough.

2 There Is A Science To Expanding The Base

Players Must Have An Eye For Prime Real Estate

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The Base's survival is the most crucial aspect of Age of Darkness: Final Stand. However, players must expand, explore, and reinforce to progress, defeat the horde, and win the game.

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Players should consider this aspect as carefully as possible when setting up specific structures, placing units, and exploring, as one missed step could prove dire during a siege. Players should always build with the impending invasion in mind and look for spots that will make good chokepoints, halting the enemy's movements and making them sitting ducks for archer fire.

1 Upgrade The Keep

The Most Important Piece Of The Puzzle

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The single most important early-game decision a player can make in Age of Darkness: Final Stand is upgrading the Keep. The Keep is pivotal for producing the most powerful and fortified Base to combat the nightmares that will descend in endless droves. Upgrading the Keep will provide more resource space, allowing players to stockpile vital components for units and structure.

In addition, upgrading the Keep will increase player income by a sizable margin, which will make unlocking upgrades and units easier. Players should always prioritize upgrading the Keep before crucial points in the game.

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Age of Darkness: Final Stand Tag Page Cover Art
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Real-Time Strategy
Survival
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Systems
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Released
January 15, 2025
Developer(s)
PlaySide Studios
Publisher(s)
PlaySide Studios
Engine
Unreal Engine 4
Multiplayer
Online Co-Op
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WHERE TO PLAY

DIGITAL
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Platform(s)
PC
How Long To Beat
9 hours
Genre(s)
Real-Time Strategy, Survival