Amazon.co.uk Review
PC gamers, as a breed, aren't short of strategy games to play. But the canny mix of real time and turn-based gameplay that underpins
Rise of Nations proves to be initially intriguing and deceptively addictive.
The game's focus is spread over some 6,000 years, with numerous scenarios pitching you initially into the midst of ancient history and ultimately bringing events right up to date. In each scenario, several skills are at times aggressively tested; there's the need for diplomacy, the odd bit of combat, resource management and trading. In short, pretty much the staple diet of most strategy games.
Where Rise of Nations takes a different path though is in its approach. The single player mode brings into play a strategic map--think of the board game Risk and you're about there--and charges you with the task of capturing fresh territories whilst successfully defending your own. It's a weighty addition to an already long-lasting game, and marries up nicely to the real time strategy element that subsequently kicks in.
Furthermore, the game's surprisingly easy to get into, and as you progress your people from a basic beginning through to a more advanced society, it's hard not to get immersed in it all. While ironing out the need for petty decision making that's brought several other titles in the genre to their knees, Rise of Nations still demands much taxing of the grey matter, and to its credit, there's rarely just one way to approach a problem. And that's before the highly entertaining battles kick in.
From time to time, you could argue that the gameplay gets slightly repetitive and the mixing in of two different styles of strategy style isn't going to appeal to all. --Simon Brew
Product Description
Rise of Nations is a historical real-time strategy game from Big Huge Games' Brian Reynolds, designer of PC game classics such as
Civilization 2 and
Alpha Centauri.
Dominate 6,000 years of history from the Ancient Age to the Information Age. Which forces will you deploy to lead your nation to global prominence? Trade, espionage, diplomacy…war? Whichever path you choose, you'll experience the pulse-pounding thrill and speed of real-time gaming, combined with the epic scope and depth of turn-based strategy games. These are brought together for the first time ever in Rise of Nations.
You'll create new cities, improve city infrastructures and expand national borders. Conquer foes through military might using everything from sling-shots to cannons, stealth bombers to nuclear weapons. Corner the market on key commodities and consolidate power under your rule. Wheel and deal across time with history's eminent cultures.
