Posted on: August 26, 2015

mike-greenaway
Games: 76 Reviews: 1
Cult Classic, but justifiably enjoyable!
I remember seeing the game's box in an Electronic Boutique back in 2002. I remember saying "This game is amazing, I love it!" I also remember hating how this game suffered a mild case of AI Cheating and artificial difficulty in the campaign mode. I love this game, but its cruel and unappreciated. I wholeheartedly recommend buying this game but remember: it will show you no mercy, its depth is staggering, and there's a pretty good chance you'll fall in love with it. While a lot of opinions on this game are marked with nostalgia, (mine definitely included) it is a fact that this is a strong RTS with very interesting mechanics. The Unit Alchemy and Living Economy system, as well as the combat engine with beautiful animations and intricacies make for a real thinker of a game. Base construction and resource management feel streamlined, while getting your army composition in order and managing your forces makes up for this. The combat system is beautifully constructed with multiple damage types, unit upgrades and battle gear, and all sorts of checks, counters, and tricks to master. The campaign mode is decent enough, with the expansion's additions expanding on what the game establishes in lore and mechanics. This is a title you'll probably find yourself thinking of and booting up months, even years after your first playthrough, and each time you boot it back up it won't seem as dated as it was the first time you tried it. Its sometimes hard to remember that this game came out in 2001, before the likes of Warcraft 3. This is a gem, and one you should definitely consider picking up for yourself. The music is beautiful, the gameplay is engrossing, the visuals stand up pretty well to this day and you won't regret the choice to do so.
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