Age of Empires: The Age of Kings

Gamers can choose from one of several ways to win the game, including world domination by conquering enemy civilizations, exploration of the known world...
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8.1

very good

CRITICS SCORE

(44 ratings)

GAMER SCORE

8.2

(1376 ratings)

Game Overview

Gamers can choose from one of several ways to win the game, including world domination by conquering enemy civilizations, exploration of the known world and economic victory through the accumulation of wealth. AGE Of EMPIRES was developed by Ensemble Studios and features the expertise of Bruce Shelley, co-designer of the hit strategy game Civilization.

The Good

Engaging turn-based strategy effectively translated from the classic PC series, Five compelling campaigns pack in many hours of gameplay, Dozens of different unit types and unique technologies to research, Great presentation features lively battle sequences and good music.

The Bad

Gameplay's pace can get sluggish in larger battles, Visuals sometimes get too cluttered.

The Bottom Line

Age of Empires: The Age of Kings boasts turn-based strategy gameplay as players move from the Dark Ages through the Middle Ages with one goal in mind: domination of the known world. Command one of five different civilizations: the Britons, Franks, Mongols, Saracens, or Japanese in this Nintendo DS game. Lead over 45 different types of units into battle -- from bowmen and monks to hand cannoneers, mercenaries and samurai, and control special 'hero' units such as Richard the Lionheart, Robin Hood, Joan of Arc and Genghis Khan, whose special 'hero' powers affect the entire battlefield. The DS version allows players to construct and upgrade buildings to help their units learn new skills and create resources for their civilizations, as well as research over 50 technologies to advance their civilization. Multi-player scenarios allow up to four players to wirelessly battle each other.

Expert Reviews

82/100

score

The hit PC real-time strategy series goes turn-based in this well-designed and addictive translation, which packs a surprising amount of historic battles into a small package.

82/100

score

Not many games have been able to do what Age of Empires has done. Age of Kings takes everything great from the previous Age of Empires PC series, and creates a new world based on those fundamentals. The DS version retains every major aspect of the PC game

ESRB Game Ratings

This game is Rated: Everyone +10
Content is most suitable for children ages 10 and up. This game may contain cartoons or fantasy characters and some language, violence or suggestive themes.

Content Descriptors:

Mild Violence