Fifteen years ago, Avyanna did the impossible: she broke the gods’ hold on Nevendaar. But as any ruler can tell you, winning the war is the easy part. Holding onto the peace? That’s where the real nightmare begins.

Disciples: Domination has officially arrived on Xbox Series X|S, and it’s a grim, beautiful, and sometimes exhausting reminder that power always comes with a price.

A Kingdom on the Brink

The story picks up with an Avyanna we barely recognize. The fire that once drove her to liberation has turned into a “scorching doubt.” She’s haunted by dreams of becoming the very monster she overthrew, and that internal rot is manifesting in the world around her. Allies are vanishing, madness is spreading, and the empire is quite literally falling apart.

What I love about the narrative here is that it doesn’t shy away from the dark and mature themes. It’s not just about “saving the world” again; it’s about managing your own sanity while navigating a political minefield of betrayal and ancient cults.

Ruling from the Throne of Yllian

Your hub, the capital city of Yllian, is the heart of the game. It’s where you manage your army and, more importantly, make the hard calls.

• The Grievance System: This is a standout feature. Your companions and subjects will come to you with problems, and how you rule impacts your reputation with the five distinct factions.
• Real-Time Exploration: Outside of combat, you’re traversing Nevendaar in real-time. The world looks fantastic on the Xbox Series X—think moody, high-contrast gothic vistas—though some areas can feel a bit sparse between the big narrative beats.

Tactical Combat: Refined but Familiar

If you played Disciples: Liberation, the grid-based combat will feel like home, but it’s been polished for a faster pace.

• Push and Pull: One of the best additions is the new environmental interaction. You can now use skills to shove enemies into traps or pull allies out of the line of fire. It adds a much-needed layer of “chess-like” strategy to the hex grid.
• Synergy and Skills: Each faction has unique abilities that require you to actually think about your squad composition. You can’t just brute-force your way through the harder encounters on “Brutal” difficulty.

The Return of the Mountain Clans

The highlight for many long-time fans will be the Mountain Clans. The dwarves are back, and they aren’t exactly rolling out the red carpet for Avyanna. Dealing with them feels like a ticking time bomb—will they be the foundation of your new empire, or the spark that finally burns Yllian to the ground?

Final Verdict

Disciples: Domination is a solid 40-50 hour journey that doubles down on what worked in the previous game. While the combat can occasionally feel repetitive—especially when you’re hit with unavoidable patrol battles—the depth of the faction management and the weight of the choices kept me hooked.

It’s a must-play for fans of dark fantasy strategy. It might not reinvent the wheel, but it polishes that wheel until you can see your own reflection in the blood on the spokes.

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