The strategy genre has been up against it more than most.
As gaming went mainstream in the mid-nineties, this particular avenue of mainly PC based gaming was overlooked. Instead the focus was heaped upon more immediately exciting titles, such as Ridge Racer and Destruction Derby.
But now, with long term series like Civilization and Command and Conquer, strategy gamers have never had it so good.
The first Rise of Nations title combined the turn based city management elements of Civilization, with the real time strategic fighting action of the Age of Empires titles with surprising success. The formula’s sold by the truck load.
Hence the strategic centres of Mansized’s brain fired up when this sequel homed into view. But does it take the series to another level or merely retread old ground?
They say:
IGN: “The Conquer the World campaign now has a story but it sort of limits your freedom in moving from one territory to the next. The new races are sweet but the story provides little reason for them to coexist much less fighting each other.”
GameSpot: “Since Rise of Nations was so fantastic and innovative, it's only natural to anticipate that Rise of Legends would be similarly ground breaking. That it isn't is disappointing.”
1UP: “Rise of Legends is an RTS with familiar conventions, but the game world is different from anything you've seen before.”
We say:
The original Rise of Nations delighted us by splicing together both the real time and turned based genre branches of strategy and ending up with the best of both.
The combination of both styles of gameplay – the micro management of the ‘hardcore’ turn based sim and the more action based real time battles – means that all lovers of the strategy genre are well catered for.
The mish mash of gaming styles could so easily have been a case of too many cooks spoiling the broth, a bit like when a football team appoints a ‘Director of Football’ to hand hold a manager. But when each element is offered up in such delightful little morsels like here, it’s hard to not be impressed.
The interface itself remains fully intact from the first title and maintains its streamlined looks and ease of use. Nothing is ever more than two mouse clicks away, so it only requires a short amount of game time before you’re fully up to speed with the control system.
Therein lies the problem. Nothing’s really changed enough to warrant the full price tag. Although more of the same works for hardcore fans of the original, those with only a slight interest may feel a little put out when asked to splash out a hefty chunk of cash for what is essentially the same game, albeit with a few well placed tweaks.
The problems of the first game have stayed too. Like your computer starting to grind during hefty battles and the contrived story mode. There’s little fresh, new, or intriguing enough to drive you on.
Moans aside, Rise of Legends remains a welcome fix for strategists. But for anyone with even the mildest of misgivings, you might want to wait till the price drops.
Like this? Try these:
Age of Empires 3 - PC
Civilization IV - PC
Darwinia - PC
FORMAT REVIEWED
PC
POSTED...
Tue 13 Jun 2006 at 11:01pm
