Rise of Nations

"Rise of Nations is the rise of the Video Games!!!"

This is the game that raises the bar for all other games!

Rise of Nations is a great game from Brian Reynolds for the strategic player, the action player, or any other player. Basically, this is a real-time action game mixed in with a risk like turnbase system for the conquer the world campaign. It plays a lot like age of empires or Starcraft but its way better. You don't need to be Mr. Risk playing stadegy man but it makes it a lot easier to win. Now that you know what it is heres how it is:

Gameplay 10/10:
Rise of nations has great gameplay. You start out in the primitive age and advance your way up through the classic, the medievil, the enlighment, the industrial, the modern, and information age. You can play as 18 different nations (Aztecs Bantu, British, Chinese, Egyptians, French, Germans, Greeks, Inca, Japanese, Koreans, Maya, Mongols, Nubians, Romans, Russians, Spanish, and Turks.) each with their own special powers and uniqe units. Non-violent? Use diplomacy or build wonders to win. You can choose to go down the path of war and build infantry, calvary (horses, tanks, etc.), and artillary on the land, throw some ships into the sea, and pull out your planes to conquer the air- space. Its online gaming is great and keeps people from using tons of nukes (it has penalties). It has a great variety of difficulties. Need help when you play? Rise of Nations has 6 different tutorials to get you to be the best you can be.

Audio/Video 9/10:
Awesome in every aspect of this. The only downfall her is that some units (supply wagon, Caravan) stay as camals and people pulling a cart when everything else is an armored vehicle with missiles and what not.

Replayability 10/10:
I shouldn't even rate this scince you cant really beat it and you never get to a point where you've done everything (and even if you do) you'll still want to keep playing it.

Not really any story to it but you can compromise and make it some crazy story.

Controlls 10/10:
Good controlls in a game make it a lot more fun. Ther's a hot key for just about everything but you could just stick with clicking everything.

Overall a good 10/10.

Rent it or buy it. A definate buy. It's $50 but its worth a hundred! You'll love this game!!

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 07/31/03, Updated 07/31/03