Age of Empires 2: Age of Kings for Windows
- ESRB Descriptor: Violence Blood
- ESRB Rating: T - (Teen)
- Publisher: Microsoft
- Genre: Strategy
- Platform: Windows
- Game Series: Age of Empires
Available From
Why are these offers here?
Smart Buy!
Lowest price from a Trusted Store
Second Lowest Price
Third Lowest Price
- Overview
-
Reviews
- Compare Prices
User ReviewRead All Reviews »
Addiction, Addiction, Addiction, But Why? Read On...
Pros
Great Gameplay, Good Graphics, Entertaining Sounds
Cons
Can Be a Little Confusing at First
Recommended it?
Yes
I just recently bought Age of Empires II: Age Of Kings because I liked Age of Empires I so much, I and heard a lot of good things about the sequel, so I downloaded a demo. After spending hours playing the game, I went out and bought the real thing and I love it!!
The Good
Although Sim City type games, where you have to build a civilization, or city, do not lend themselves to showing off spectacular graphics, designers of games like these, usually don't strive to make the graphics the best that they can be. However, Age of Empires II has significantly better graphics than the rest. The men are always sharp and colorful graphics, and motions are fluid and realistic. It is a refreshing relief from the bland graphics in Sim City and others.
In addition, Age of Empires II has superb sound effects. Although I will admit, the chants and grunts of the 13 different tribes that one can choose to be can get a little annoying, they match the situation well and give the game the extra edge to be a 5-star.
I've not forgotten to mention about the game play, just saving the best for last. It is awesome, the story behind the game, is
I just recently bought Age of Empires II: Age Of Kings because I liked Age of Empires I so much, I and heard a lot of good things about the sequel, so I downloaded a demo. After spending hours playing the game, I went out and bought the real thing and I love it!!
The Good
Although Sim City type games, where you have to build a civilization, or city, do not lend themselves to showing off spectacular graphics, designers of games like these, usually don't strive to make the graphics the best that they can be. However, Age of Empires II has significantly better graphics than the rest. The men are always sharp and colorful graphics, and motions are fluid and realistic. It is a refreshing relief from the bland graphics in Sim City and others.
In addition, Age of Empires II has superb sound effects. Although I will admit, the chants and grunts of the 13 different tribes that one can choose to be can get a little annoying, they match the situation well and give the game the extra edge to be a 5-star.
I've not forgotten to mention about the game play, just saving the best for last. The game starts you out with minimal resources (depending on how you want to play, you can start with many or none) and you as the gamer are challenge to build up a mighty empire and conquer the world. You have an array of different technologies at your disposal, but you must use them wisely, because each one takes up some all too little and too precious resources. With each advance to the next age, you can research more technologies, but make sure you have made plenty of villagers from your town center because with every expensive advance, newer and newer technologies are discovered and can be researched at only the highest of prices. In addition, you must handle the burden of choosing where to place your villagers, gold, wood, stone, or food. Each one has its own advantages and suits each civilization differently. Which brings up another point, the diversity of the civilizations is astounding, you can choose to control the sea-faring Vikings, who have extensive advantages at their docks, or the aggressive Turks, who mine gold 20% faster.
Although all of this may seem very confusing at first, it is not easy to become accustomed to it. I just left the manual out on my desk for the first two weeks and periodically referred to it. Although I still do not know everything about the game, because there is so much to learn, I still have tons of fun and can't stop playing. I personally love the diversity the game allows you, from the different civilizations to the different technologies, and military units to train, the decisions and strategies never seem to end.
Multiplayer games are very easy, Microsoft's own gaming network is totally free and makes it very easy to get on and start playing against real human enemies, or just some friends you have gotten together for a game.
Finally, the scenarios are very realistic and can provide as much fun as the rest of the game. I've found that most great games lack great scenarios, however Age of Empires II is a definite exception. From leading Joan of Arc to safety, leading William Wallace to victory against the English, or leading Saladin's campaign, you are sure to find something to satisfy your historical needs.
The Bad
Confusion! Confusion! Confusion! Although I said a little something about this before, I'll mention it again, because it could easily frustrate some into not wanting to play. With all the options to choose from, the game can get very complex and confusing. There are only a handful of strategies within the hundreds that seem to work, and it takes time to find the right one for you, most online players are very good and usually aren't at a beginner level. If you seem to be too confused or annoyed that you can only beat the game on Very Easy, take a trip to the Age of Empires II homepage. There are plenty of tips and helpful advice to get you on your way to becoming a pro.
I hope my review and opinion can be of some help to deciding whether or not to buy. If you have any questions, complements, or suggestions about my review feel free to e-mail me.
--Dick112112@aol.com
The Good
Although Sim City type games, where you have to build a civilization, or city, do not lend themselves to showing off spectacular graphics, designers of games like these, usually don't strive to make the graphics the best that they can be. However, Age of Empires II has significantly better graphics than the rest. The men are always sharp and colorful graphics, and motions are fluid and realistic. It is a refreshing relief from the bland graphics in Sim City and others.
In addition, Age of Empires II has superb sound effects. Although I will admit, the chants and grunts of the 13 different tribes that one can choose to be can get a little annoying, they match the situation well and give the game the extra edge to be a 5-star.
I've not forgotten to mention about the game play, just saving the best for last. It is awesome, the story behind the game, is
I just recently bought Age of Empires II: Age Of Kings because I liked Age of Empires I so much, I and heard a lot of good things about the sequel, so I downloaded a demo. After spending hours playing the game, I went out and bought the real thing and I love it!!
The Good
Although Sim City type games, where you have to build a civilization, or city, do not lend themselves to showing off spectacular graphics, designers of games like these, usually don't strive to make the graphics the best that they can be. However, Age of Empires II has significantly better graphics than the rest. The men are always sharp and colorful graphics, and motions are fluid and realistic. It is a refreshing relief from the bland graphics in Sim City and others.
In addition, Age of Empires II has superb sound effects. Although I will admit, the chants and grunts of the 13 different tribes that one can choose to be can get a little annoying, they match the situation well and give the game the extra edge to be a 5-star.
I've not forgotten to mention about the game play, just saving the best for last. The game starts you out with minimal resources (depending on how you want to play, you can start with many or none) and you as the gamer are challenge to build up a mighty empire and conquer the world. You have an array of different technologies at your disposal, but you must use them wisely, because each one takes up some all too little and too precious resources. With each advance to the next age, you can research more technologies, but make sure you have made plenty of villagers from your town center because with every expensive advance, newer and newer technologies are discovered and can be researched at only the highest of prices. In addition, you must handle the burden of choosing where to place your villagers, gold, wood, stone, or food. Each one has its own advantages and suits each civilization differently. Which brings up another point, the diversity of the civilizations is astounding, you can choose to control the sea-faring Vikings, who have extensive advantages at their docks, or the aggressive Turks, who mine gold 20% faster.
Although all of this may seem very confusing at first, it is not easy to become accustomed to it. I just left the manual out on my desk for the first two weeks and periodically referred to it. Although I still do not know everything about the game, because there is so much to learn, I still have tons of fun and can't stop playing. I personally love the diversity the game allows you, from the different civilizations to the different technologies, and military units to train, the decisions and strategies never seem to end.
Multiplayer games are very easy, Microsoft's own gaming network is totally free and makes it very easy to get on and start playing against real human enemies, or just some friends you have gotten together for a game.
Finally, the scenarios are very realistic and can provide as much fun as the rest of the game. I've found that most great games lack great scenarios, however Age of Empires II is a definite exception. From leading Joan of Arc to safety, leading William Wallace to victory against the English, or leading Saladin's campaign, you are sure to find something to satisfy your historical needs.
Confusion! Confusion! Confusion! Although I said a little something about this before, I'll mention it again, because it could easily frustrate some into not wanting to play. With all the options to choose from, the game can get very complex and confusing. There are only a handful of strategies within the hundreds that seem to work, and it takes time to find the right one for you, most online players are very good and usually aren't at a beginner level. If you seem to be too confused or annoyed that you can only beat the game on Very Easy, take a trip to the Age of Empires II homepage. There are plenty of tips and helpful advice to get you on your way to becoming a pro.
I hope my review and opinion can be of some help to deciding whether or not to buy. If you have any questions, complements, or suggestions about my review feel free to e-mail me.
--Dick112112@aol.com
