IN BRIEF

Hmm interesting. Is one phrase that I would use to describe this game. Imagine Warcraft crossed with Civilization and that is the sort of feel that this game gives you. The game has 4 campaigns which have quite a few missions in each campaign. What is further is that the game has one of the best construction kits of all the games that I have seen. However this does not mean that the game is terrific. I find that although this game is not bad I have seen it all before, there is no particular reason why this game should be considered a must have. Although the price for the game is reasonable should it drop further then it would be even more attractive. As a real time strategy game it is suitable for most age groups, however most probably better suited towards the teen age group. Overall a good effort from Microsoft.

PLAYABILITY

The game play is smooth and fast on my P200. Controlling the units is the same as the generic default for most new PC games, so there is no new surprises there. What is new is the minimap and thusly your map. It's shape is sort of a diamond shape a little confusing at first but you soon get used to it. The game controls are straight forward and intuitive without lacking functionality. Perhaps the unit intelligence could be biefed up a little bit so they do not do stupid things. Like walk in the complete opposite direction from which they were told (which does happen occasionally). You will quickly realize in the latter levels that the most annoying thing in this game are priests. Or more importantly the computers use of priests. When you use them they are slow, cumbersome and most of the time pointless. However when the computer uses them they are rad. Their range is nearly 3/4 of the screen size and they are so fast while recharging at a phenomenal rate. Perhaps this is one area where microsoft could fix up the major discrepancies. Apart from this annoying playability feature the rest of the units are fine.

UNITS & RACES

This rts game has got to have one of the most diverse range of races and units of any rts game that I have seen. Each race has there own advantages and disadvantages i.e. different units, strengths etc. With so many races it gets confusing to know which race to select especially to the newbie. Microsoft could most probably cut the number of chooseable races in half without having a detrimental effect on the game. However with stating this it does come in handy especially in network play.

NETWORKING - MULTIPLAYER

Age Of Empires supports 3 PC'S using 1 CD. You can play via modem as well. The game makes a much better multiplayer game then as a single player game I reckon.

GRIPES/WISHLIST

• Change the map and minimap back to a square as in Warcraft etc.

• 4 networkable players from 1 CD in network game.

• Units cleaer/easier to see (they tend to get lost when standing next to buildings).

• Fairer more even use of priests especially when used by the computer.