Posted: 12-Feb-2001
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4 1/2 out of 5 Mice |
Vendor: Microsoft | Type: COMMERCIAL |
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Reviewer: Bill Catambay | Class: WINDOWS |
Genre: action strategy
Other games in genre: Age of Empires, Warcraft
About a year ago I got to play Age of Empires for the Macintosh, and it was one of the most fun and most addictive games I've ever played. Although I prefer playing games on the Mac platform, I recently got the chance to try Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings, and since it is not out for the Mac yet, this review is for the PC version.
Living up to the original Age of Empires, Age of Empires II is a fantastic strategy game. The extended features includes the ability to build units in mass. They still are established one after another, but you can queue them up instead of having to return to the building each time one is created (one of my biggest complaints about the original game). You can also pre-assign tasks to the workers that spawn from your Town Center.
Another cool feature is the bell signal that you use when your town is being attacked. All the workers (includes women and men now) take cover, and fire arrows at the attackers from protected buildings. Ring the bell again, and they all return to doing what they were doing before (whether chopping wood, farming or whatever).
There are several new advancements, including new ages (e.g., Imperialism, etc.). While these add to the depth of the game, it isn't what thrills me the most. I find that the AI in this version of the game is greatly improved over the original, as well as the graphics. The graphics are smart now, as well. For example, units can walk over farms, as well as through buildings that graphically show gaps. Before no unit could enter a grid which contained the building or structure.
While many people enjoy the quick random game (5 hours versus several days), or the network game, I really love the long campaigns in AoE II. The game throws you into the story, and leaves it up to you to follow through and come out the victor. Trying different strategies, plotting attacks, structuring your defenses, and managing your resources all make-up a very compelling game that entertains, engages, and enlightens. I might add that the game is so addictive that it came very close to eliminating any free time I might have for writing up this review.
One thing that I would like to see added to the game are some features that I've always liked in Civilization II, such as being able to build roads to make travelling faster, and extending the ages further beyond it's current limit. These are suggestions more than they are complaints. The only real complaint I have is that there is no version yet available for the Macintosh.
Now that the review is done, if you don't mind, I need to get back and help Joan of Arc and friends. If you can manage the time, don't miss this one!