Hello, Fluffsters! So I sort of should have been spending a bit more time doing fluff stuff this week. But that’s ok, you don’t mind, right? And anyways, part of what I was doing was playing computer games. And that’s sort of a tradition with long weekends. And as long as I get a fluff up, that’s all that really matters… right? And so, in order to take advantage of that time spent playing games…

Game Review:

Age of Empires II: Age of Kings.

Age of Empires II: Age of Kings, by Microsoft, is a real time strategy game for computers where the players try to build an empire. The player plays the role of Supreme Commander of a civilization. The player cannot directly participate in any activities, but instead issues commands to: create characters and buildings, tell characters to gather resources or attack enemies, and to explore and to trade. The user interacts with the game through a combination of keyboard shortcuts, and both the left and right buttons on the mouse.

In one-player mode, the goal of the game is simple: become the top civilization in the world map. This can be achieved through a few different ways. Specific goals with a time limit include collecting a certain number of items and holding them for a specified amount of time, and building a particular structure and keeping it for a specified amount of time. Scoring is based upon completion of these goals, how many buildings and units are built, how many resources the player still has at the end of the game, and how many enemies the player destroyed. There are other criteria as well, but they are not as interesting.

…Does this surprise you?

But back to the review.

The art, sound, and music tie together in a pleasing way. Although the graphics are a bit slow on certain computers, and therefore stutter a bit, the landscapes are well done. Useable resources are clearly identifiable, and a convenient mini-map at the bottom updates in real time to show where various units and resources are on the map. The music adds an ambiance of adventure- there is a definite beat, which adds excitement, but the music is not so obnoxious that it distracts game play. The sound effects are also used to great effect. If a player’s characters or buildings are attacked by either enemies or wildlife, a small fanfare plays. Each class of armed character has its own distinct sound as well. The game also uses other sound effects to indicate events in the game.

Do you really want more detail? I could mention that there are random bird calls, each character makes its own noise when created, the horses whinny, the arrows have their own “SWOOSH” sound when fired, or-

Good. Now back to the review.

Some of my favorite special features in the game are its Easter-eggs or cheat codes. My personal favorite simultaneously makes the game easier and harder. It is a cheat for being able to instantly build projects, research, and collect resources. The challenging part is that other players gain that ability as well. Others include the ability to gain resources instantly, declare yourself the winner (“I R WINNER”), kill everyone (including yourself through the cheat “black death”), call in advanced weaponry, or take over nature.

I enjoy this game for several reasons. The first is that there is an almost infinite amount that can be done with this game. A player can start off with a very easy game, with lots of resources, only a few players, and lots of cheat code use. A player can then continue to make things more difficult by decreasing resources, increasing the number of players, and using no cheat codes. Built in campaigns add additional options, as does the map-creator.

There are less fun aspects of Age of Empires II, however. First is control. I use the built-in mouse that comes with laptops, and which are difficult to use to scroll around the game with. The second is the length of the game. It is possible to put time limits in, but especially if the “instant” cheat is not being used, it can still take a while for game play to start.

No. In this instance, a “mouse” is a type of technology that we use to control computers. Do a Google search to see what they are.

I really like this game. I can’t compare it to others in its genre, since I haven’t really played that many in its genre, but it’s really fun. With expansion packs, and Age of Empire 3, you can even justify it as a semi-history game!

So, yeah. I really enjoy the game, and I recommend you play it. It’s really fun, especially when you do things like call in nuke strikes, or cars that have machine guns, and other random fun stuff. Or design your own maps to have things totally stacked in your favor.

Happy Wednesday!