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Just played the Trial version this is such a cool game

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 18 / 25
Date: May 13, 2003
Author: Amazon User

Oh this is such a great game. I downloaded the demo today and I couldn't stop playing. The beginning of the game reminds me of Age of Empires but man o man this game goes way past it. Lot's of game options. This is definitely a must-have RTS game.

A true Age of Empires replacement

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 9 / 9
Date: December 01, 2003
Author: Amazon User

This is it. I decided not to buy Age of Mythology, and a friend showed me Rise of Nations before it came out. It was soon on my wish list. This game is everything they advertise and MORE! It has an incredible number of units, although most of them are unique to a certain nation (so you don't have that many in one game) The graphics are astounding and par to todays standerds. Beautiful animations and MASSIVE armies due to the fact that you get 3 foot soldiers per infantry unit, so armies are at least 3 times the size of AOE. Its possible to win without a fight too. You can actually DEMAND tribute and propose alliances (REALLY hard to do or impossible in AOE). Your resource collection points never run out of resources (never need to resow farms) and your citizens are super-smart. No more micromanagement. If you build your nation right in the first parts of the game, you can focus all your attention on armies later in the game. It has improved controls, sweet units (love the realistic airplanes) and an awesome 3d look. At 40-50 dollars, you won't be disapointed. A perfect gift too!

The *very* few cons

-poor scenario designer. Also, you have to learn their scripting language to make triggers. This is much more powerful but much much harder to learn than Age of Empires

-Can't play as Americans; This is not so bad, considering you start out in ancient times when america hadn't even been settled, but once you get to the information age with aircraft carriers and nukes, you miss the USA.

-Manual not very good, but anyone who knows anything about strategy games should be able to figure it out just fine. I didn't even need the manual.

Age of Kings meets Civilization 3 -- A Winning Combo!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 9 / 9
Date: January 05, 2004
Author: Amazon User

Rise of Nations is described as a real-time strategy (RTS) game, but in reality it is a hybrid between classic RTS gameplay and certain more sophisticated elements from turn-based strategy (TBS) games -- and the result is a wonderful blend and a highly playable historical strategy game.

Rise of Nations pits you as one of 16 historical civilizations in a quest for domination and power over a grand historical framework running from pre-classical rudimentary society through the information age. The map size and mechanics of the game are taken right from the familiar RTS mechanics, and are easy to pick up -- resources are gathered (different ones become available depending on the age), cities are upgraded, buildings are built that allow for improved resource gathering, technological study and military development over time. In terms of its gameplay mechanics, Rise of Nations will seem similar to Age of Kings, which is fine, in my opinion, because it makes the mechanics of the game easy to pick up for anyone familiar with the RTS genre.

Upon further review, however, the gameplay incorporates many elements from successful TBS games. You aren't building one stronghold, for example, but a network of cities contributing to one national economy. You can (and must to win) trade between your cities and align them for strategic advantage. Your nation has national borders that grow depending on your national strength, placement of cities and forts, and the like, and therefore you have a power projection element to the game. The game has a diplomatic aspect to it as well, and isn't simply a race to get the fastest, strongest military units. Finally, the pause function of the game is very prominent and can be used as often -- or as little -- as you wish. In that sense, Rise of Nations is a highly flexible game -- you can play it more like a fast-paced RTS, and hardly ever use the pause button, or you can pause it often (and easily), issue orders of any kind in pause mode, and then un-pause for a time, simulating a TBS game. Rise of Nations allows you to play either way, and has elements that appeal to either style of play, which is why I would describe it as a hybrid.

The game is graphically appealing, featuring a zoom function that is actually useful to game play. It doesn't feature the graphical doo-dads that Age of Mythology did (no 360 scrolling here) and in that sense feels more like Age of Kings. But the real joy to the game is the great gameplay and blend of elements from the RTS and TBS genres. If you are a fan of strategy games of any type -- and particularly of these kinds of historical/civiliational strategy -- Rise of Nations is a necessary addition to your gaming collection.

A fantastic strategy game

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 10 / 11
Date: June 20, 2003
Author: Amazon User

The latest release in the Age of Empires line is Rise of Nations, also created by Microsoft. The graphics are better, there are more units, and there's a bit of Civilization and Pharoh thrown in.

First, the graphics, because they impress you right from the start. The graphics for the buildings, terrain and units are simply beautiful. From the rotating windmills to the reflections in the water from the sailing ships to the ways in which the units move, its really like watching a little world. You can zoom in and out with ease to get a detailed look or a strategic overview.

Microsoft has been making these games for a while now and really brought together the best of many of them. Much of it is based on the Age of Empires system - build up your civilization, work through ages, build and grow. But they threw in better people-management a la Pharoh and Caesar. Instead of peasants standing around stupidly while farms wait for them, the workers actively seek out what needs to be done. They'll sign on at the lumber mill or farm where workers are needed.

Set up a university, and the building is quiet. Start creating scholars to study there, and you'll see them out front, taking their classes!

Of course there are opponents to deal with. You can of course build up a massive army and go wipe them out. But you can also try to set up diplomacy with them, or out-tech them.

The little touches throughout the game are just amazing. Build in an arctic area and there's snow on your roofs. The music in the backround really draws you into the mood. The controls are all very intuitive and easy to use.

Highly recommended - it's a game that really shows how amazing strategy gaming can be!

This game is total fun

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 11 / 13
Date: July 17, 2003
Author: Amazon User

This game is by far the best strategy game I have played. I am not much of a gamer but games like this can make you one.
The best part is the duration of a game is just perfect....it can finish in about 1.5 to 2 hrs. I havemnt played much on the single player game but the multiplayer is just awesome.

You get to choose from a variety of civilazation like the british, germans , russians etc. each having its own speciality.
The best part is that u can advance from the ancient to the information age in like 45 mins., and theres no Bull**** like making houses and all...everything that u make has a reason(econominc or military).
U get to upgrade u r armies, navies and the best part is the airforce...u can make u r B2 spirit bombers, airbabses, aircraft carriers, destroyers etc.
Even the maps that u choose have their own characteristics...like the Himalays have very less oil and u fight the other civilizations for that.
It is very real like as u advance thru the ages u realize that knowledge is the most important resource u can get. U get to create universities and libraries.

The graphics are about a 4.5/5, but i liked the sound, especially details like a air raid alarm or a nuclear missle launch.

All in all great fun...

This game is truely worthy

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 12 / 15
Date: June 08, 2003
Author: Amazon User

I only have the free trial of this game and i've already fallen in love!(riseofnations.com) This game mixs Comand & Conquer tactics with Civilization. You can build the ultimate army strait at the start and upgrade it as you go along or you can wait tell the final age(information) and build Nuclear ICBM's and wipe out the enemy with nuclear wastes!
You start out in a B.C. like age and then quickly make it to clasical and medieval! it moves at a brisker pace that makes it much funner than sitting and watching a town grow tell you can do something! I dunno what was up with these other peoples comps and graphics cards i meen really if your gunna play games that cost 50$ each how hard is it to simply buy a 100$ graphics card?¿ And about the other insult to this game... really kid if you've ever played any tactical or civilization oreited game before tell me because the way it sounds you're just to stupid to play tactical games!!

BUY THIS GAME IF ANY THIS YEAR!!!

Excellent game

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 8 / 8
Date: June 02, 2003
Author: Amazon User

This game is far superior to AoE2, Empire Earth, and AoM. The graphics are good, but not the best. What really sets this game apart from the rest is the gameplay. A feature in the game, Conquer the World, combines a Risk-like map with individual invasion and defense scenarios. While this feature could be better, it is the best executions of any attempt out there to combine RTS and TBS. Based on the graphics and general purposes and goals in the game I would have only given it three or four stars.
I give this game five because of the AI in the game. I have read very few forum posts of people having beaten this game on MODERATE. There are two levels for enemy intelligence that are more difficult than moderate, which means this game will provide challenges for months, if not years of gameplay.
While it may not live up to the insanely lofty goals of some gamers out there, it is an extremely good game and is sure to provide fun to any strategy gamer.

read the system requirements before you buy the game and complain about not being able to play it.

This is the game that Age of Mythology should have been

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 8 / 8
Date: April 24, 2004
Author: Amazon User

I used to be a huge Age of Empires fan. When Age of Mythology came out, I thought "What is this?". Age of Empires was all about historical strategy. All of the mythology elements belongs in another series, not in a series that gained popularity as a historically oriented game. Rise of Nations is the type of game that the sequel to Age of Empires II should have been. More historical simulation with some revolutionary RTS concepts added in. Age of Mythology is just more of the same, in 3D instead of 2D.

This game brings all of the great things about the Age of Empires series, and leaves behind everything that is bad (micro managing, for example). It also throws in a little flavor of Civilization, but not so much as to bother a pure RTS fan like myself.

If you were disappointed by the direction that the Age of Empires series has taken, this game should make you happy. It's much better than any of the other competitors our there (Empire Earth, Empires.. Dawn of whatever, etc.)

A good progression from Age of Kings II

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 8 / 8
Date: February 02, 2005
Author: Amazon User

My two eldest (9 & 7) were addicted to Age of Kings so I got them this for a birthday. Age of Kings has not been used since. The key advantages of this game over AOK are:

a) Much less micro-management. The kids often played AOK in deathmatch to avoid all the 'citizen work'. In RON the citizens will 'find something to do' provided you have mines / farms / forests for them. And these things DON'T RUN OUT so the constant 'find a mine' problem has gone. This makes the citizen side far more manageable, especially for the younger one.

b) National boundaries. Such an obvious concept but it greatly enhances game play. You now 'own' territory and need to expand the territory you own.

c) Research bands. The research restrictions in AOK are primitive, in RON there are many more things to research and a much more intricate way of doing it, yet many of them are in the library which makes it easy to find. Also there is now the concept of knowledge so you can increase your rate of research.

d) National differentiation. Whilst the nations were distinct in AOK the differences were fairly minimal. In RON the differences between the nations are huge, this expands the 'come back and try again' capability significantly

e) The tutorial is superb, took my 7 year old from scratch to 'very good' without daddy having to spend hours (actually this may be a bad thing :) )

f) The campaign. Ok, think the RISK board game, but with a real battle instead of a dice roll. A marvellous blend of stategy and tactics. Again enhances the 'come back again' factor

g) Graphics. I thought AOK was good, this is almost like watching a movie. The only downside is you need a 16MB graphics card, so one of our PCs can't join in the fun.

h) More realistic, you cannot 'explode' a single city as much, there are ways of 'enhancing' productivity

i) Greater span of time. Goes from classical to modern age, as my children have learnt a lot of history from RTS games the broader span has broadened their education!

Downsides:

i) WAY too addictive
ii) Needs 16MB graphic cards
iii) Really needs more than 256MB of main memory (it DOES run, but having upgrated to 512MB it now runs reasonable)

Bottom Line: Should you buy this?

a) If you like AOK then YES.
b) If you have bright children 7+ and would like a computer game to tax their brains. Yes, I would probably recommend it rather than AOK because of the tutorial and the lack of micro-management
c) I like CIV and other SIM type simulations. Hmmm ... probably not, whilst there IS a mode for non-combative play the result is a little like buying a big-mac and taking out the meat ...

The best RTS game so far!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 9 / 10
Date: March 09, 2004
Author: Amazon User

Simply the best strategy game yet! I've played Civilization 1,2, and 3. Age of Empires, Empire Earth, and even Europa Universalis (a real stinker). RoN is by far the most advanced, and has the best AI and playability of them all. When I first played at the Easiest level, I did well enough and it was fun from the very beginning. Then at the next level I was defeated nearly every time! I was ready to give up. But I kept trying to figure out what I could do to win. So I learned new tactics and some "tricks", without which playing at the more difficult levels would have been impossible for me. So, if you don't want any tips, but want to figure it all out yourself, then don't read anymore - just get the game and try the Solo / Conquer the World campaign. If you want some tips, then read on...

First, when playing solo (which is what I always did) make extensive use of the pause button. I re-assigned the space bar to be the pause button for quick easy use. You can't do things as fast as the computer and you will probably get wiped out if you don't pause the game. When the game is paused you can still assign work to citizens, select and point to where military units should go, select research to do or units or buildings to build, and review your resources to see what you need to increase. (BTW, at the end of each battle, your resources should be maxed out. If not, you will probably be defeated because you can't build military units fast enough.)

In a 90 minute Conquest Battle I would use the pause button maybe 200 times for a total of about another 90 minutes. That would make each game segment about 3 hours in length (some are easier and don't take as long, and if you lose it will probably happen pretty quick.)

Second make extensive use of hotkeys. You will drive yourself nuts scrolling back and forth across the map and trying to find the building you want. You only need to memorize a few to make a big difference - k, s, o, d, and x for military buildings (so you can order units to be built) and the L and the TAB key for research that needs to be done.

Third pay close attention to what units your opponents is attacking you with and make sure you are building the appropriate counter units. And keep in mind your opponent (the computer) will change the units it uses as its resources and research progress.

Fourth, in the modern and information ages use Howitzers and Rocket Artillery extensively. They are expensive to build, but worth it. Also use Bombers and Jet planes. They are devastating and excellent for "seeing" unexplored areas fast and for destroying your opponents resources.

Fifth, in all battles with water separating you and the country you are attacking (or defending against) you MUST gain naval superiority. Emphasize naval units over land units until you ensure your opponent cannot attack you from the water. Then build a bunch of military units and invade. Use battleships to pound buildings, resources, and units near the water - and destroy all offshore oil platforms. In the modern and information ages oil is everything - if you don't have enough you will be screwed. If you can make sure your opponent doesn't have much, you will be victorious!

Sixth, concentrate on destroying resources (mines, oil wells, etc). They are more important than attacking units or cities.

Seventh, make sure you always have some infantry units. Tanks, Howitzers, or cavalry units cannot capture an enemy city. It is very frustrating to reduce a city's "health" and then not be able to capture it because you don't have any infantry units there.

Eighth, don't give up when you get nuked. It is surprising how fast you can come back from having a city and all the nearby buildings destroyed from one nuclear missile. BTW, as soon as the "Nuclear Missile Launch Detected": warning goes off, hit the pause button and then go to the city being attacked, select all the citizens and Caravans close to city and point them to move away from the city. then unpause the game and allow the missile to fall. Many times they will be able to move far enough away before the missile strikes to survive. Also the computer will never run the Armageddon clock down past 2. The only way you will lose due to Armageddon is if you do it. Nukes are most useful to reduce a city right before your ground troops attack - they can usually take the city without a fight then. But defending it will still usually be required.

Ninth, always use the rally points for each military building, and always move them to battles. Other wise you will constantly be looking for your units and having to send them to the battle, wasting precious time. It makes a big difference when they come right to the battle or city you are defending. In fact, if you set rally points and use the hotkeys to select military buildings and build new units, then you can even be looking elsewhere on the map, doing something else (like attacking oil wells with bombers), while your ground units are fighting to take or hold a city.

Tenth, always use control groups for your military units. I often used one group for siege units, one for naval units, and one for other ground units. Sometimes I combined all ground and siege units into one "army". But either way, if you don't set up any control groups you will constantly be looking for your units and/or ordering them to move into position - and you won't have time for that when you are attacked - you need to be able to mover them all at once.

I think that's enough. There are more, and I'm sure many that I don't know; but that will help you out enough to play well and then you can learn some more yourself. Oh, maybe one more tip - when you are done with your research then kill the scholars. That will allow you to build more military units because there is always a population cap. Always try to minimize the number of citizens you use to for the same reason - you want just enough to get the jobs done.

I will be waiting impatiently for RoN 2!

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