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The epic battle between technology and magic is about to begin – "Rise of Nations: Rise of Legends" for Windows. Available now.
I've once again put my preferences aside and have decided to try an RTS. Having missed the original I was unsure of Rise of Legends for the simple fact that it is a Real Time Strategy game (Check Reviewers Profile for why) but I wasn't disappointed.
There are enough new things in Rise of Legends that I had a great time. Flying machines ad a third dimension of interest whether you are attacking the enemy from the sky or simply seeing transports streaming by above head.
Have I mentioned the graphics? I have no idea what the technology is but the vibrant colors and details make play more enjoyable. Even on my not-too-game-friendly computer the visuals of Rise of Nations is fabulous.
Journey to the land of Aio, a world embroiled in an epic battle between the forces of Magic and Technology. Fight through towering cities, flame-swept deserts and brutal ice plains in battles filled with mystic creatures, impossible machines, and stunning acts of magic.
Guide a young inventor's struggle to unravel his world's ancient past and unite its people against an unimaginable threat. Our award-winning Conquer the World gameplay pulls you through a new world of heroes, monsters, loyalty, and betrayal. And multiplayer carnage reigns supreme when you take the war online. - From http://www.microsoft.com/games/pc/riseofnationsrol.aspx
As with other RTS games RoL is a struggle to build your society faster, larger, stronger, wealthier, than the bad guys. Battles are won by pitting your more massive army than theirs. Make sure you have your Legends attacking your opponents strengths or your numbers can dwindle quickly. Overwhelm is the key, at least for this strategy deficient Noob. Perhaps more experienced players strategize better ad can pit smaller armies against the enemy and win but I need a hoard by my side. And I found that those hoards were fun and easily assembled.
Cross genre gameplay - Combining pulse-pounding real-time gaming with the epic scope of turn-based strategy games, Rise of Nations gives you a fast and fun experience. You can play a quick battle on your choice of map as your choice of nation (including random), or play the turn-based/RTS mix Conquer the World Campaign.
Zooming scale - See enormous swaths of territory at once or zoom to watch one group of citizens or military unit at work. Maintain command of multiple cities and expansive military campaigns while still controlling the progress of individual cities and battles. Clearly defined national borders let you expand territory strategically.
Multiple victory conditions – Gain dominion through non-military and quasi-military strategies including espionage, diplomacy, technology races and territory expansion. Or, simply obliterate all comers through the raw power of a military conquest.
Streamlined multiplayer – In the multiplayer mode (up to 8 players), you'll accumulate resources and move through different time periods quickly, reaching the coup de grace in a timely fashion. Victory is just moments away.
I confess that my enjoyment of RTS games may be enhanced if I remembered to zoom in more often. I play from a birds-eye view 99% of the time and miss most of the interesting details seen in trailers and screenshots.
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