Disciples: Domination PS5 Review – Dark Fantasy Tactics Reborn

Developed by Artefacts Studio and published by Kalypso Media, Disciples: Domination is the latest entry in the long-running dark fantasy strategy RPG series. This turn-based tactics game picks up fifteen years after the events of Disciples: Liberation (2021), the series' previous modern outing that shifted focus from the classic city-building of the original Disciples: Sacred Lands (1999) toward a more narrative-driven RPG structure with real-time exploration and squad-based combat. Here, the emphasis remains on queenly intrigue, faction diplomacy, and brutal grid-based battles in the crumbling realm of Nevendaar.

The story thrusts you back into the boots of Queen Avyanna, the hardened mercenary-turned-ruler from Liberation, now haunted by self-doubt and monstrous visions as her empire fractures under treason, corruption, and resurgent foes. Key figures include the long-lost dwarves of the Mountain Clans (potential allies or enemies), leaders of an ancient cult, and a corrupted seer stirring old grudges alongside unlockable companions who advise on your playstyle and shape faction reputations across five groups (Empire, Undead Hordes, Legions of the Damned, Elven Alliance, and dwarves). These relationships feed into core features like the new "Throne" system, where you adjudicate citizen grievances to influence quests, story branches, and endings blending real-time overworld traversal for discovery with choice-heavy RPG progression.

The Gameplay ...

Gameplay centers on a single-player campaign divided into chapters across five regions (starting with the Empire's Wulf Coast), blending exploration, party management, and tactical combat. You roam Nevendaar in real-time, uncovering quests, resources, and encounters, then pause to access the Throne for rulings that unlock paths or alter alliances. Party management is implemented as you recruit and upgrade units from factions, mix them into synergistic squads (e.g., Empire Paladins shred undead), and choose Avyanna's starting class (Warmaster for melee dominance, Witch Queen for curses, etc.) to tailor your approach. 

Battles, in-game, are faster-paced hex-grid turn-based affairs than Liberation, with push/pull abilities, new skills, faction synergies, and deadly interactions emphasizing positioning over grinding. Units die quick if mismanaged. Campaign objectives involve quest chains, resource gathering, and diplomacy to stabilize regions, building toward the endgame goal of confronting the corruption's source (cult, seer, dwarves, or old gods' remnants) for multiple endings based on your moral and strategic choices.

The Presentation ...

Presentation nails the series' grimdark aesthetic. Isometric visuals feature detailed, atmospheric environments including misty coasts, ruined fortresses, shadowy dwarven halls, all with gothic unit designs and gory combat animations. The soundtrack, highlighted by the epic main theme sung by Julie Elven (of Horizon Zero Dawn fame), delivers haunting orchestral swells and tense battle dirges that amplify the mature tone. The PS5 UI is mostly user-friendly featuring clean menus for squad customization, grievance logs, and maps. 

The Verdict ...  

Disciples: Domination delivers compelling storytelling through Avyanna's tormented arc and branching narratives, though character building leans more on faction archetypes than deep personal arcs. Battle systems are the shining accomplishment. Combat is refined, synergistic, and challenging, with four difficulty tiers (plus custom) ensuring tactical depth without frustration (enemies hit hard on higher levels, rewarding synergy over zerg rushes). Content feels focused (30-50 hours), prioritizing quality over bloat, but it assumes some Liberation familiarity (recap cutscene helps newcomers).  

This game, and experience is overall best suited for fans of dark fantasy tactics like Heroes of Might & Magic, King's Bounty, or Divinity: Original Sin who crave narrative-driven squad combat and tough choices, that or veteran strategists ready to rule a throne of skulls.