Rome has fallen and the world is up for grabs
Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings is the sequel to the award-winning,
best-selling real-time strategy game Age of Empires. Age of Empires II spans a
thousand years, from the fall of Rome through the Middle Ages in which players
lead one of 13 civilizations into greatness. In Age of Empires II, you can
command any one of 13 mighty civilizations. These include the Britons,
Byzantines, Celts, Chinese, Franks, Goths, Japanese, Mongols, Persians,
Saracens, Teutons, Turks, and Vikings. Each civilization has unique
attributes, strengths and weaknesses, buildings and technologies, as well as a
unique combat unit based on its historical counterpart. Be sure to try them all
to find the civilization that best suits your playing style.
The game keeps the epic
scope of Age of Empires' game play while evolving the combat and
economic features.
- Battle
alongside heroes of the day - Strive with one of following heroes to
victory: Joan of Arc, William Wallace, Genghis Khan, Saladin, and
Barbarossa.
- Command one of 13 mighty civilizations - Includes the Franks, Japanese,
Byzantines, Vikings, Mongols, and Celts. Each with unique
attributes, buildings, technologies, and specific combat units
based on its historical counterpart.
- Choose the path to greatness - Will it be an economic path created out of
craftsmanship, trade and diplomacy? Or a military route of siege
and naval warfare? Or by building a Wonder of the World that will
stand the test of time?
- Conquer a worthy opponent - Over the MSN Gaming Zone, LAN or modem. Or a nearly
human artificial intelligence opponent in single player mode.
- Lead swiftly and with ease - A comprehensive learning campaign helps you to get
easily into the game. Production queues, gathering points and
customizable hot-keys make it fast and simple to manage your
forces and plan battles.
- Build a rich empire - A market-based economy gives you new options to buy,
sell, and speculate on resources or trade with allies.
- Lead with cunning and might - Place your military units in formation or give
them intelligent stances and commands to add interesting tactical
choices.
- Create your own scenario - The Map Editor allows you to build your own massive
campaigns.
- New and bigger lands - With the random map generator you will
always have new lands to explore and conquer, no matter how many times you
play.
In addition to all the features found in the original Age of Empires, Age of
Empires II enhances game play in the following areas:
New Combat Options
Players can use garrisoning and military formations that add interesting
tactical choices. Units are also smarter, with new artificial intelligence (AI)
options like Guard, Patrol and Follow as well as multiple aggression levels.
Alternatives to Combat
Players can improve the economy of their civilization through trade and
diplomacy options. In addition to gathering resources, they can trade at their
own market or use trading routes with their allies. A market-based economy gives
new options for players to buy, sell, and speculate on resources.
Diverse Cultures
Gamers command one of 13 mighty civilizations. These include the Franks,
Japanese, Byzantines, Vikings, Mongols and Celts civilizations. Each
civilization has unique attributes, buildings and technologies as well as a
unique combat unit based on its historical counterpart.
Ease of Use
The William Wallace learning campaign makes it incredibly easy for new users to
get started. The new two-layer interface lets players select the level of
command buttons displayed based on their needs. Additionally, the game also
includes production queues, rally points, customizable hot-key system, as well
as expanded rollover help.
Achieve Victory in Many Ways
In contrast to the linear game play found in other real-time games, Age of
Empires II lets gamers choose one of several ways to achieve world domination
and ultimate victory:
- Domination of enemy civilizations
- Economic victory through accumulation of
wealth
- Building and defending wonders of the world
Choose a Technology Path
Age of Empires II lets gamers choose from numerous technological paths to
help lead their civilization to greatness. From an economic path of farming and
craftsmanship to a military route of siege and naval warfare, the game comes
with a technology tree that has more than 100 nodes, larger than one player
could possibly complete in just one game.
Experience Intense Single and Multiplayer Game Play
- Story based campaigns focus on historical
figures and their struggles like William Wallace, Joan of Arc,
Genghis Khan, Barbarossa and Saladin bring the player much deeper
into the game as they strive with the hero to victory.
- A new expert system driven computer
player with artificial intelligence providing a solitaire opponent
who seems human.
- Maps are larger which adds to the sense
of exploration and allows more options for extended play
particularly in multiplayer.
- The very popular Random map generator
brings unlimited replay value for both multiplayer and single
player.
- In addition to the traditional Deathmatch
option, there is a new gameplay mode: Regicide, where players have
to protect their Queen or King while they try to assassinate the
enemy one.
- A Map editor extends also the game play by allowing users to create and
exchange scenarios or link them into campaigns.
Multiplayer Game Support
Internet play for up to eight players via the MSN Gaming Zone, over a LAN or
modem to modem.
