Newer graphics and sound but still the same game. (Age of Empires 2 (PC))

Member Name: andycharger

Product:	Age of Empires 2 (PC)
Date:	20/11/01 (91 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Cool game, good graphics, better sound

Disadvantages: harder to play

When I downloaded the demo version of Age of empires a few years ago, I was instantly hooked.
I bought the game and spent many hours fighting the nations of the world.
I honed my skills to a perfect art and then decided something was missing.
I finished the game and was left to fight the computer in self initiated battles in skirmish mode.
However, Age of Empires 2 offers an entirely new challenge to the AOE gamer.
Lets explain the basics before I go into one as it will help those that dont know what it is.
Its a game of strategy where you control a nation in its quest for glory.
Viewed from above, you control little people known as Villagers who construct buildings, forage and hunt for food, dig for gold and stone and chop wood.
These products are then used up when you "buy" items such as more villagers or a new barracks for your soldiers.
Things like barracks make soldiers but they again cost food and gold.
The soldiers then form an army and take on the opposition.
that is basically the game plan. Obviously there are many types of soldiers and weapons and cost varying amounts of resources.

In Age of empires 2 the graphics are far superior. The engine that drives the game though looks remarkably similar to the one from the first version of the game.
The sound is much better with more speech and better sound effects.
One problem with the speech is the bad foreign accents that the American programmers have put on the French people!
"ere look, its Zyoan of 'arc!"
Not very convincing.

I must admit, I found playing this game much more difficult than the original game.
The scenarios seem to be much more complex.
I guess they have done this to make it more difficult for the experienced AOE gamer.
I also find there is too much going on all at once now its more complex. Keeping an eye on everything is extremely hard.

I dont think the scenarios are as ma
ny as on the previous versions but each actual mission takes much longer.
Be prepared for long hard fought battles.

One nice touch in this game is the addition of the castles. I love them. I rack up plenty of stone and then start building!
By then end I have a plethora of castles that look more like terraced housing than standing in its own rambling grounds!
Handy for defence.
Another handy addition is the ability to protect units by hiding them inside buildings.
Can be useful if you have priests that are very weak.
Online gamers will love it. Its great to play and does not jerk around like the high action quick moving games you can play on the web. The bandwidth is kept to a minimum.
If you dont have this game, its worth a purchase. Its an absorbing and enjoyable way to have a fight with the foreigners!

Summary: