Ensemble Studios
Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings

"When you are old enough to read these words their meaning will unfold: These words are all that’s left though we’ve never met, my only son. I hope you know that I would have been there, to watch you grow, but my call was heard and I did go. Now your mission lies ahead of you as it did mine, so long ago: To help the helpless ones, who all look up to you and to defend them to the end" _{(from "Defender", Manowar)}

Chronology:

I) In 476 C.E. Odoacer, leader of some barbarian tribes settled in Northern Italy, deposed Romulus Augustulus, emperor of the Western Roman Empire, and handed over the imperial insignia to Zeno, Augustus of the East. Historians generally associate this event with the end of the western part of the Empire and the beginning of the Middle Ages.

II) In 1994 C.E. Blizzard Entertainment released "Warcraft: Orcs and Humans" (also known as "Warcraft I"), probably the most important and (ugly word I know...) seminal real-time strategy videogame (or RTS) of all time.

III) In 1997 C.E. Ensemble Studios, heavily influenced by the game from point II, gifted the world with "Age of Empires": a historical-themed game based on the history of the Roman Empire.

IV) In 1999 C.E. the studios mentioned in the previous point allowed the History (capital letter not accidental) following the event from point I to be decided by RTS enthusiasts from all over the world with "Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings".

Technical Notes:

- It is played in single-player mode but also offers an online multiplayer option

- The game is an RTS but in addition to the usual development (take a civilization at its beginnings, grow it, and subdue rivals, and so on...) it also features the possibility to play with stand-alone missions ("campaigns") on themes (Joan of Arc, Genghis Khan, William Wallace, who is the tutorial, etc. etc.). Even the ways to successfully complete the classic game are multiple, but I won't dwell on listing them, just as I won't name the civilizations present: all of these things can be found in the "more info" link that I will include in the review.

- Though there is an (over-simplified) version for Playstation 2 it is by far preferable to buy a computer that has (ten years have passed and one hopes this clarification is no longer necessary, but still...) these (or similar) requirements. If you also get the expansion, which adds further missions, further maps (even realistic ones like Italy, France, Scandinavia, etc. etc.), and further civilizations, you will enjoy it more...

 Ipse Dixit (uncensored) from cptgaio while playing "AOE II"

- Damn Turks, you just had to come and mess things up now...

- For Pete's sake, if you don't move with that hoe I'll send you to the mine.

- By Jove, where has my explorer gone?

- Now I'll go to Pepin the Short to present my case to him...

- Darn it, not the Vikings as allies who always go for the relics first!

- When the going gets tough, the Berserkers take the field!

- You and that darned production queue can go take a hike...

- Come here...where are you running off to? Priest of my boots.

- Now let's move on to the weapons of mass destruction (Note: if you figure out what they are in a medieval game, I'll buy you a beer...)

- I don't think using the Trebuchet is fair in this context, especially in light of our past relations...

In conclusion:

I still haven't figured out how to review a videogame...

Mo.