This is one product Microsoft has released about which I have no complaints. I originally purchased this game because I was hopelessly addicted to this game after I tried it on my roommate?s computer. I am not really a computer game person, but this time it was different. Yes I do play some games when I am bored or if there is nothing else to do, but with this one I can sit before the computer all day long and play with out stopping. One morning I called in sick to my job where I work because I didn?t feel well that morning (no, not because of the game, I didn?t have that game yet, but my roommate did) but I never played it before. So, I was kind of bored that day and decided to try ?Age of Empires II? on my roommate?s computer because she always saying that she loves that game. Guess what?? I was glued to that computer for five hours playing that game with out pausing?! I liked that game so much, that I went out that night and purchased one for myself.

Graphics are so real, sometimes I even feel guilty killing those poor solders (enemy of course). Everything from the structures to the little soldiers is very detailed and well done, and the way the troops move when fighting is amazing. I also like the sound effects - to get the most out of this game, you really need to turn your speakers up!

The whole game isn't just fighting; you have to balance your economy as well! You have to use food resources to create villagers to farm for food, chop wood and get more gold and stone! With these resources, you can build structures, create your military units, and research technologies that make your military more powerful, your villagers more efficient, and your defenses stronger.

And don?t forget about advancing through the "ages": Dark Age, Feudal Age, Castle Age, and Imperial Age. This is the most important part. Without advancing, you won't be able to research any of the technologies. Just think - if you don't advance, you will lose.

I decided that this game is worth the highest recommendation. Try it yourself - you may become addicted like me!

Without a doubt the best strategy game ever.

This game is a must have.