Empire Earth Gold Edition

I actually was in the open beta test for Empire Earth just before it was released. It's 3d graphics were pioneering in the era of 'Age of Empires'. It also has some unique mechanics like converting citizens into resource bonus producing workers when permanently garrisoned in settlements. It also has an expansive epoch and technology list going from prehistoric times and all the way into the future. I'm surprised how well it works on my modern machine - I've had trouble in the past with the GoG release of this, but my latest install is working flawlessly. If you are an historically based RTS connoisseur, you should try Empire Earth. Multiplayer works on LAN (I haven't tried the direct connection option). There was some third party option to play MP too, but I'm not sure that still works (complaints of malware).

Empire Earth is one of the best classic RTS games that continues to bring back players to this day. This game is better than 2&3 of the series, which should tell you something. The single player stories are fun and well made for a game of its time. But what really shines about this game is the fact it doesnt try to be anything else but what it is, unlike 2&3. You start from cavemen and end in space. The game doesnt just focus on the past, it also makes its own future, giving Russia and Asia a whole new story to play through the Modern, Digital, Nano and Space ages. This also offers the never ending "Skirmish" gameplay, allowing you to start a random map to play against others or AI. Also, this has a map editor that allows you to make your own story, maps, missions, quests, cutscenses and more. This game is a timeless classic and any RTS junkies libary is incomplete without it. For $6, youre missing out not picking it up!

I've put probably a few hundred hours into this game since it first game out. In college I'd play Empire Earth over LAN with my friends all the time. I still enjoy the game today, but largely out of nostolgia. That being said, EE is a very flawed game. Sure, it's got 15 epochs, but a lot of them are basically the same. Only a few epochs actually introduce new game mechanics (siege, guns, flight, robots). It's got more units, but, again, a lot of them are essentially the same thing. There's a lot of stuff, but it doesn't work together to create a deeper, more interesting game. It's just a fairly shallow RTS with lots of stuff. Naval units are bulky and clunky, bumping into each other constantly as they try to navigate around each other (despite doing to the same place). They're frustrating to move around, and, because of this, having a single large navy isn't really feasible. The AI can't even manage it. The AI is also really, really awful. It's so bad that it blatantly cheats even on the easiest difficulty setting in order to keep up. Every time you collect a resource, each AI gets it as well, keeping it on par with you. Plus whatever pitiful quantity of resources it manages to collect. It also gets to know your military composition and where you're at. So all it does is builds units that counter your units, then throws them at you in groups without any real strategy. It's less like fighting an opponent and more like fighting the tide. My pet peeve about cheating AI in almost any game is it takes much/most of the strategy out of the game. There's no reason to hit the AI economically, taking out or otherwise cutting off their resource collection, since it's just a facade. The real strategy in EE is to not collect resources that you don't intend to immediately spend/invest, since that would only make the AI stronger.

Still one of my top favorite games of all time. The Game Campaigns are great to learn some basic strategy and get familiar with shortcuts/tech tree. But a huge map with allies and enemy teams is my favorite. The AI is good but also has some flaws that can be exploited for a fun underdog victory. And like all simulation AIs, it cheats so that it "gathers" more resources even if you are far advanced with many more workers. Don't worry, this just means more destruction. Bring on the nuclear bombers! Seriously... you'll have fun smashing and killing things... but in a good way.

Amazing game that still holds up well even today. Definitely has its quirks though. Would still recommend you try it. GOG needs to bring Empire Earth's expansion The Art of Conquest into the fold though!!