Empire Earth divided into 14 “epochs”, society progressed from pre-historic to “nano-age” (to space age with the expansion). The game’s makers claimed it spanned over 500,000 years, however with no year indicated in-game, only an “epoch”, it’s hard to tell. Training scenarios are very good regarding basics. With all or most “epochs” selected, you’re playing a very long game of scope and ambition, but Empire Earth has many flaws that can’t be fully listed here. Clunky fiddly interface, poor mouse control and sensitivity (altho adjustable), non-rotatable pseudo-3D camera angle plus monotonous heavily looped ambient sounds. Over-sensitive side scrolling even on lower settings, zoom range is limited on all resolutions including maximum, no god’s-eye-view here! Yet the highest zoom is often too restrictive for adequately controlling battles. A big drawback for an RTS that’s war oriented, compounded by side scrolling problems, further exasperated by units selection being a convoluted mess. Add the tedious, time consuming chore of having to seek out idle citizens and put them to new tasks, aggressively hostile but incompetent AI opponents plus lack of easy access regarding statistics/information, it equals some major playability impediments. If you can get over all this, the history spanning epic empire building game aspects do appeal. Research technologies to allow new buildings and units plus upgrades while you wage war in 14 different historical styles as history unfolds. Gamers may even create prophets who can bring down old testament style cataclysms upon their enemies! Four game speeds, three difficulty levels with customizable random map games including many options help re-playability. Create original maps, scenarios, campaigns etc using an in-game editor. Each epoch is depicted well enough given the truly awful graphics at the closest zooms. With a near overwhelming number of options, despite some shortfalls, this is a game that can amuse. Rating 59%
You choose between playing one of three "Nations" - orc-like blue Pimmons, sexy all girl Amazons or insecto-arachnoid Sajiki. Superficially, the 1999 release, Alien Nations appears to be another Settlers want-to-be. However, behind this is a game complete with researchable tech trees, diplomacy, economics, a trading system, citizen morale and much more, making it almost too complex to be an RTS - thus the lowest speed's intense slowness (f7=fast f6=med f5=slow). Tutorial scenarios are meticulously thorough and if played right thru will bring all but the most resistant player up to speed on the game's complexities. For assistance there's occasional announcements so you know what tasks need doing in your "Nation" at any given time. You start with a warehouse/town-hall, building forward researching techs and training your minions, their motivation adjustable to increase populace initiative. Unlike many Settlers games, roads are unnecessary for connection of buildings, however, if you relish controlling every ingredient in game-play it's pleasing to know the level of micromanagement is extreme. Game-play is oriented toward building and planning, while there are battles with other "Nations" the warfare aspect affords lesser significance, diplomacy plus trade being emphasised. Graphically it has a non-rotatable isometric perspective, altho zooming is seamless, offering an extensive range from close-up to god's-eye-view. Alien Nations has visually pleasing, lush, colourful and cartoonish graphics that are from their time. Ignore and avoid what some corrupt "gaming publications" tried to claim about this title, it's an exceptionally absorbing, genuinely fun RTS with many missions and campaigns which can be played as any of the three species, extending a high degree of re-playability. The main criticism is its highly derivative nature regarding Settlers, but given the fun factor in that series of games it can only be considered a good thing. Alien Nations RATING 79%.
Dungeon Keeper 2 is a hybrid action/builder/fantasy/RTS game in which you're cast as a demon charged with creating and running various layers of the underworld. In campaign mode you must destroy the realm of "The Sunlit Kingdom of the Heroes". ITS GOOD TO BE BAD and that's what you do in DK2. You build and manage your underworld, stock and populate it with variations on evil creatures, scary dungeons and other hellish themes so that do-gooders and niceness can be wiped from the face of the realm. All this is done via an on screen control panel and thru direct interaction with your hellish 3D underworld dungeon. It is of course, all in good fun and highly accessible. One aspect of DK2 you will like is its a very easy game to catch on to. With three modes to choose from - Campaign Mode, My Pet Dungeon Mode and Skirmish (sandbox) Mode. The first few levels of the Campaign Mode being very easy and very fun tutorials. With a great Tim Curry/Vincent Price-esque narration, by video game voiceover veteran Richard Ridings, to egg you on. In addition to the great tutorials and an easy to use interface (with just a tiny, almost negligible hint of clunk) there's a well set out manual if you ever do get stuck. A good variety of options and settings in regard to game speed, graphics quality etc also help your gaming experience. Visually, considering the 1990s "3D graphix" (wow dude!), it's not bad - altho that may vary as per your device and whether or not you have updated the game. While the viewing angles in-game are near seamless and many, ranging from top down to "shooter style" (which includes the ability to "possess" any one creature at a time in a first person view), the zoom is somewhat limited in that a higher more distant god's-eye view would have been useful. But all things considered, DK2 remains a very accessible and enjoyable RTS game and most important of all its FUN. And as you know if its not fun its not a game and DK2 is, if nothing else, a fun game. RATING 72%
This game was released in 1991 so don't expect too much from it. Despite all the reviews giving it three or four stars and those who claim what a happy childhood they had being raised by this game. And despite the fact it was a cutting edge god sim strategy game etc back in the bad old days. Even taking all this into account you will be avoiding this game because it looks bad, it runs even worse on modern PC's, in game tutorials are non-existent and there are better games that fill the exact same niche - including Populous II's bastard child POPULOUS THE BEGINNING. If you are a depressive obsessive retentive PC/Video game socio-historian analysist who must own it you will be making sure you pay $2.99 at the most. Otherwise avoid at all costs and you'll have a better brighter day for it. Guarranteed.
Slow moving business/management Sim set in early 17th century Carribean with a graphical look slightly reminiscent of The Settlers series of games. Port Royale2 leans toward micromanagementand can be set so slow that it can almost be played as tho turn based (hit space bar for turbo when you finish your "turn") Which is OK. Sea combat is almost a sort of side game and is generally mediocre, but that's not what this game is about. First and foremost this is a Business/Management Sim in Pirate Clothing. That's right, just imagine your accountant or bookkeeper turning up as Capt. Jack "Argh a vast ye maties did ya get that MYOB file I sent cha?" Luckily the tutorials in the form of scenarios are top shelf - which is just as well because without them you just will not want to get into the game. The other scenarios are a bit tedious, but playable altho not finish able. Interface is a bit clunky and fiddly, but not enough to put you off playing. The sandbox mode is great for learning the ins and outs of the whole thing - including the slightly perverse little side games. Unfortunately its by then that you realize the general tediousness of it all. The general concept of the game and the aesthetically pleasing graphics etc., are saying "like me, play me" and you'll want to like it and you'll try but with the business/management sim niche and pirate theme niche markets both at saturation point eventually it will be time to save and exit this game and try elsewhere. RATING 47%
Democracy 1 is a great game. You can buy it at their website for about US$10. Hey GOG, when Dem 3 is at US$2.99 I'll buy it. 'K?
