I came I saw I didn't Conquer! (Imperialism II - Age of Exploration (PS))

Member Name: cyman

Product:	Imperialism II - Age of Exploration (PS)
Date:	08/09/01 (36 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: complex gameplay

Disadvantages: graphics could be better

We've all seen the updated versions of this or that, which don't really offer very much more for the money. What sets this particular game apart is that it takes what was an interesting and compulsive game and makes it very much more challenging.

The game is still turn based and the graphics are not it's best point with features appearing small and scrappy on it's map based layout.

You start with a small area of territory, chosing from a map of europe of one of the computors creating. Your small country has meagre and limited resources and you will need to expand quickly in order to survive. You will have to look longingly at your neighbours planning invasions of smaller powers to increase your wealth of resources, whilst exploring the hidden parts of the map to discover and take over as much of the 'New World' as possible. Expansion into the 'New World' is important at this early stage as it is there you can find valuable minerals which convert into cash and a wealth of natural resources for your industry. If you are not quick off the mark your competitors will have grabbed all the land.

You also have to manage your countries various industries to produce arms, food, luxury items to keep worker happy and goods for export. You will have to run a merchant fleet and negotiate imports and exports with foreign powers.

You also have to be a top flight diplomat, there are facilities for you to make alliances and pacts with both minor and major powers in the game, and one wrong move can unleash the dogs of war onto your budding empire.

It is really hard to balance the needs of industry with trade so that you get the right conditions for economic growth and military expansion, and the development of the new world colonies which you have acquired will be a drain on your resources.

Unlike the original it is really difficult to take on and conquer major powers, and this has kept intere
st levels in this game very high

Summary: