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
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AOE II: Age of Kings: Surviving the carnage
Pros
Fluid movement, great graphics. Replayability is outstanding, never the same game twice
Cons
none
Recommended it?
Yes
As strategy/simulation games go, this has to be one of the most enthralling on the market.
When starting a game, you choose which civilization you want to be, from a list of 13, such as Britons, Turks, Vikings, Japanese and Persians. Each with their own special characteristics and inate abilities, making them stronger in some areas, weaker in others.
A good example is the Japanese....as they progress through the different ages (starting in the Dark Ages, then there is Stone Age, Castle Age and finally the Imperial Age), there are particular advancements that they are not able to achieve, unlike some of the other civilizations. Things such as improving their economy and gold resource gathering with gold shaft mines or improving their stone resource gathering with stone shaft mines, are not available to the Japanese. These advances can prove critical in later stages of the game, as these resources become less and less available.
However, the Japanese are able to achieve ALL advances with respect to their military units such as archers and infantry, as well as their monks. Where this becomes essential is, again in later stages of the game, they make for a more formidable opponent. They have strong military units and their monks have greater abilities at healing units or converting enemy units and buildings.
Another thing to consider when choosing which civilization you wish to be, is which "unique unit" does that civilization have the capability of creating, once you have reached "Castle Age"? Each civilization is able to create it's own "unique unit" that has special capabilities or advantages over other types of units. An example would be the Japanese Samurai, which has an attack bonus versus other unique units or when used to attack/destroy buildings. The Goths civilization unique unit is the Huskarl, which has a bonus attack versus archers (which can be VERY beneficial) or when used to attack/destroy buildings.
Aside from choosing which civilization you want to be, there is also the choice of over a dozen different types of terrain maps. This can have some bearing on your game as well, for different civilizations fare better on certain types of terrain. An example would be the Vikings, who are excellent at naval warfare and have an advantage on maps with a lot of water. Some of the various types of maps are: Arabia (mostly desert); Coastal (large land masses with a good amount of water); Continental (one large land mass surrounded by water, may have a few rivers running through it as well); Islands (just as it sounds, several islands and a large amount of water). Those are just a few and some of the ones available are ONLY available for a multiplayer (thus online) game.
That is one of the other aspects of this game that makes it so appealing. You can play it by yourself, against anywhere from 1 to 7 computer opponents, or you can play online at MSN's Gaming Zone against numerous opponents. One strong word of advice though, before venturing to the online area, I strongly encourage you to get proficient with the game on your own against the computer opponents. Most of the players at "The Zone" are quite familiar with the game, the various keyboard shortcuts and winning strategies. It can be rather ruthless for someone who is still a little "green" with the game.
There have been many improvements with this version of Age of Empires, over it's predecessor. One of which I am particularly fond is the ability to set "waypoints". This is the capability to select a unit, or group of units, to travel from point A to point B with several other stops in between. For the purposes of exploring the map, getting an idea of your oppositions location and for seeking out additional resources, I have found this to be invaluable.
The advancements in various military units, improvements in research capabilities which enhance resource gathering by settlers and the overall game appearance and graphics are a great improvement to an already outstanding game.
If you welcome a challenge and like strategy/simulation games, then I wholeheartedly encourage you to check out Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings. However, don't just take my word for it, you can try it yourself for free. Just go to their web page and download the trial version at http://www.ensemblestudios.com/aoeii/index3.shtml. Good luck and "Long live the King!!"
When starting a game, you choose which civilization you want to be, from a list of 13, such as Britons, Turks, Vikings, Japanese and Persians. Each with their own special characteristics and inate abilities, making them stronger in some areas, weaker in others.
A good example is the Japanese....as they progress through the different ages (starting in the Dark Ages, then there is Stone Age, Castle Age and finally the Imperial Age), there are particular advancements that they are not able to achieve, unlike some of the other civilizations. Things such as improving their economy and gold resource gathering with gold shaft mines or improving their stone resource gathering with stone shaft mines, are not available to the Japanese. These advances can prove critical in later stages of the game, as these resources become less and less available.
However, the Japanese are able to achieve ALL advances with respect to their military units such as archers and infantry, as well as their monks. Where this becomes essential is, again in later stages of the game, they make for a more formidable opponent. They have strong military units and their monks have greater abilities at healing units or converting enemy units and buildings.
Another thing to consider when choosing which civilization you wish to be, is which "unique unit" does that civilization have the capability of creating, once you have reached "Castle Age"? Each civilization is able to create it's own "unique unit" that has special capabilities or advantages over other types of units. An example would be the Japanese Samurai, which has an attack bonus versus other unique units or when used to attack/destroy buildings. The Goths civilization unique unit is the Huskarl, which has a bonus attack versus archers (which can be VERY beneficial) or when used to attack/destroy buildings.
Aside from choosing which civilization you want to be, there is also the choice of over a dozen different types of terrain maps. This can have some bearing on your game as well, for different civilizations fare better on certain types of terrain. An example would be the Vikings, who are excellent at naval warfare and have an advantage on maps with a lot of water. Some of the various types of maps are: Arabia (mostly desert); Coastal (large land masses with a good amount of water); Continental (one large land mass surrounded by water, may have a few rivers running through it as well); Islands (just as it sounds, several islands and a large amount of water). Those are just a few and some of the ones available are ONLY available for a multiplayer (thus online) game.
That is one of the other aspects of this game that makes it so appealing. You can play it by yourself, against anywhere from 1 to 7 computer opponents, or you can play online at MSN's Gaming Zone against numerous opponents. One strong word of advice though, before venturing to the online area, I strongly encourage you to get proficient with the game on your own against the computer opponents. Most of the players at "The Zone" are quite familiar with the game, the various keyboard shortcuts and winning strategies. It can be rather ruthless for someone who is still a little "green" with the game.
There have been many improvements with this version of Age of Empires, over it's predecessor. One of which I am particularly fond is the ability to set "waypoints". This is the capability to select a unit, or group of units, to travel from point A to point B with several other stops in between. For the purposes of exploring the map, getting an idea of your oppositions location and for seeking out additional resources, I have found this to be invaluable.
The advancements in various military units, improvements in research capabilities which enhance resource gathering by settlers and the overall game appearance and graphics are a great improvement to an already outstanding game.
If you welcome a challenge and like strategy/simulation games, then I wholeheartedly encourage you to check out Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings. However, don't just take my word for it, you can try it yourself for free. Just go to their web page and download the trial version at http://www.ensemblestudios.com/aoeii/index3.shtml. Good luck and "Long live the King!!"
