Game Information (cited from IGN)
Published by: Majesco
Developed by: Backbone Entertainment
Genre: Turn-Based Strategy
Platform: DS
Number of Players: 1-4
ESRB Rating: E+10
ESRB Content Descriptors: Mild Violence
There are several DS titles considered
the absolute pinnacle of the system’s library. Titles like Mario Kart DS,
Metroid Prime: Hunters, and Animal Crossing: Wild World are the titles
the average gamer, casual or hardcore, would think of when hearing the
name of the dual-screened innovation. Sadly, many, many games are forgotten
in light of the massive WiFi-enabled titles, but if you look hard enough,
you can find a sparkling gem worth a buy. I myself had purchased this specific
title for a mere five dollars (Canadian), and I couldn’t tear myself away
from it for weeks. Age of Empires: The Age of Kings is one of those titles
that the average consumer would very often overlook. This is a sad case,
for Age of Kings offers some of the best strategy-oriented gameplay you
can buy on the DS.
Story: There is no singular tale you
can follow, but five, yes, five campaigns you can follow individually.
Each is ranked in difficulty, from the Tutorial missions to get you used
to the controls, units, actions, etc, to the Very Hard missions where your
intellect and leadership capabilities will be put to the ultimate test.
The campaigns held within are based on historic struggles that actually
took place centuries ago. Some names should be familiar to you, like Joan
of Arc and Genghis Khan, but others will probably be new to you, like Saladin
and Minamoto Yoshitsune. You’ll lead your troops through epic sagas such
as the Hundred Years’ War that raged between the French and English for
(as the name says) over a hundred years. Or you could delight yourself
in the Genpei Wars that would define Japan for years to come. Sometimes
you’ll fight on both sides in different campaigns. Also, if you develop
a taste for old-fashioned military, you can read up on the stories of the
heroes you control, as well as several other articles concerning units,
technologies, and other goodies in the absolutely massive Library. The
library is just stocked full of this sort of info, so if your parents are
skeptical, you can tell them that the game is educational; and it is, if
you’re going to look in the library.
Gameplay: Majesco and Backbone are best known for the award-winning Age of Empires PC series. They could’ve made the DS version a direct port of the PC version, but they took a different path. This game, instead of being the usual real-time strategy title you’d expect, is turn-based. This was a bold but well-played move by Majesco. It is also very balanced. Each unit gets only one move per day (turn), whether it be walking, attacking, 0building, healing, converting, or merging with a battered unit.
The concept, however, is the same: upgrade your technology, make an extravagant economy, build your massive army, and slaughter those who dare oppose your mighty, glorious empire, praise be your fascist state. With over 60 technologies to research, over 40 different units to train to do your nefarious bidding, 4 ages to experience, and 5 different civilizations each with its own special benefits, units, and upgrades, you can take your empire down many, many paths. Seriously, you’ve got way too much power here. A few more civilizations would have been nice to include, and online play could have brought it much farther, but this is great, and in its day, it rivaled Advance Wars for strategic DS gaming.
Compared to the PC titles, the armies
are much smaller. The battles feel more like skirmishes than all-out wars.
But the gameplay is incredibly enjoyable. Some Age of Empire hardcore fans
might not get past the new system, but gamers new to this franchise will
have a whale of a time with this title.
Graphics: The maps are beautiful and well drawn. The art between missions in the campaigns is also enjoyable to the point of just sitting back and gazing. The most striking image, to me at least, would be the loading screen; it boasts excellent 3D, and excellent images to represent the game.
However, 3D does not always work with
flying colors, so the game comes short in terms of unit presentation. They
look very polygonal, if you catch my drift. It is still enjoyable to see
the little guys duke it out on the top screen during a skirmish, and it
works well as a visual aid for the strategists.
Sound: Very enjoyable orchestrated music, for one. The theme songs of each individual nation are very fitting, and they are each quite enjoyable. (I myself enjoy the Japanese theme the most.)
The sounds are another matter. When
you or the enemy is about to attack, they will shout beforehand. This get
a little annoying after a while, and usually, if the 2 sides are evenly
matched, the conflict will dissolve into a mess of clangs and grunts. This
isn’t the kind of ear candy you’d want, and a couple gamers will turn off
the battle-scene option to preserve their sanity. This is only a small
flaw, however, and can be overlooked.
Replay Value: If you’ve completed a mission in the campaign mode with 3 stars, you’ll probably not want to go back and redo it unless it’s a tutorial and you want to refresh, or if it was a really fun mission. Empire Map solves this in an instant: consider it the game’s Instant Action. You select a map, then you select your army and its color, and do the same with any other armies. Toy with the Options, and you’re ready. This is quick to set up and fun to play. Both campaigns and quick games earn you Empire Points, which you use to buy advanced units that you can train in future battles or maps to play in Empire Map. It is very satisfying to empty the shop, but Empire Map will keep you playing with your shiny new maps.
One of the best features of the game
is its Hot Seat Multiplayer, coupled with the usual Single-Pack and Multi-Pack
Multiplayer modes. Got only one DS and one copy of Age of Empires: The
Age of Kings? That’s still good! You pass the DS between the players when
it’s their turn. Multiplayer is amazing, but online multiplayer would’ve
made it absolutely perfect and would’ve likely brought the game to the
rank of DS Legend.
Controls: You can use the stylus or
buttons, or even a mixture. There’s a handy little Stylus at the bottom
you can use to look for available units, save, and do many more useful
actions, all at a tap of a stylus. Skimming the map with the stylus is
easier than using the directional pad, too. The rest of the game isn’t
very stylus-friendly though. Many times the game will highlight the option
just above or below your desired option, which may mess you up at a vital
point. I recommend a mixture between the two varieties: buttons for reliability,
and the stylus for speed.
Conclusion: Age of Empires: The Age
of Kings is an excellent title. It is one of the best strategy games you
can buy on the DS. With excellent gameplay, great music, glorious multiplayer,
and an absolutely massive library chock full of knowledge about the old
military, you’ll be at this title for a long time. Although lacking online
play, it is an absolute must if you’re a strategy lover. This title brings
justice to the PC franchise. Do not miss out on this one, folks. I highly
recommend you go out and buy it today. I still see it at major electronics
retailers, and at dirt-cheap prices ($15-20), so you have no excuse not
to get it.
Synopsis:
Story: 10/10. 5 stories based on actual events, along with a huge library, will give you a lot of reading to do.
Gameplay: 9.5/10. Some of the best strategy you can get on the DS. Its lack of online play may disappoint you though. Stays true to the PC, but incorporates DS innovation.
Graphics: 8.5/10. Good graphics, but units look very polygonal.
Sound: 8/10. Good orchestral for the civilizations, but the battle cries and sword-clanging may drive you nuts.
Replay Value: 9/10. 3 separate Multiplayer Modes, including the awesome Hot Seat Mode, along with Empire Map will keep you playing for a very long time. Online was a must though.
Controls: 8.5/10. Good utilization of the buttons and some elements of the stylus, but stylus is very unreliable in most cases.
Overall (Not an Average): 9/10
| If you would like to send some feedback
to the author of this submission, please complete this form.
What's your name?
What's your Email address?
How do you rate this submission?
Does this submission belong in Little
Lemmy's Land?
Would you like to see more from this author? Comments and suggestions:
|
