Introduction

Age of Empires is a real time strategy (RTS) game published by Microsoft.  In the game you control one of 12 historical groups, each with specific characteristics.  There are multiple resources to collect, varying technology trees, and at least 3 different ways to win.

Overview

Given my History major and love for the subject, it is no wonder that I like AoE. Noting that, I would rank it behind only Total Annihilation for best RTS game of the moment.  AOE is not a perfect game by any stretch of the imagination, but the sumptuous graphics, unique play style, and overall fun make it a game worth your while.

Here I am building one of my Wonders of the World. Note the almighty Priests of Moore in attendance ready to smite any fool who dares deface my wonder (you'll note, there are no French Artillerymen anywhere in sight).

Positives

History:  Like I said, I'm a history nut (though more a devotee of modern than ancient).  Be forewarned, however, the true Seven Wonders of the Ancient World are not what one is led to believe by the game's documentation.

Graphics: Four wonderfully rendered tilesets divided into four historical eras apiece add flavor to the game.  The villagers in particular are well done;  depending on what task they are doing their appearance will change, providing useful visual feedback and thus helping the gamer keep their situational awareness high.  Walking = barechested with pants, building = hammering, farming = hoeing (and wearing a hat), etc.  Nicely done.

Unlimited Grouping:  With only 50 units this isn't a particularly big deal, but it is nice nonetheless.

Single Player Campaigns:  Are fun and vastly different from the MP experience.  There are a few too many "You have X number of units and must get to point Y" missions for my taste, however.

Multiple Resolution Options: Thank you!  For those with larger monitors, this is a godsend.  Blizzard are you listening?  (This game came out a full year before Starcraft, by the way.)

Negatives

Finite Resources:  Yet another RTS game with an artificial time cap.  Granted, AoE at least makes one of the resources (food) replenishable and the game can continue even if you are out of the other three (not that you would want to... Axeman anyone?).  Still, there never seems to be enough gold or stone around to satisfy my needs and I've been known to act like a cattle farmer in the amazon when it comes to the forests.

Unit Imbalance:  There are 2 (possibly 3) units that, if properly used, can dominate the entire game.  There is no true defense against a combined Priest and Catapault/Ballista.  Sure, you may take out a few of them, but by that time half your army has been converted to the other side and your defensive towers are in the hands of the enemy or in ruins.  Personally, I find very little use for non-artillery ground units (i.e. non-archers) except for the cavalry who are fast enough to get to the hotspots where I need them.

Group Differences:  There are 12 races but the differences between some are so subtle that one is hard pressed to tell the difference.  Also, some races really get screwed in the technology department (case in point, the Shang whose only advantage is faster villagers.  Whoop de doo).

Hotpoint Jumping:  Unless I am missing something, there is no easy way to jump to the source of the latest message;  unit creation, building finish, attack in progress.

No Air Power:  Well, duh.  It's a game that just makes it to the iron age, after all.  But dammit, I like airpower.  It's my favorite force multiplyer in any game (see:  Total Annihilation for the best example yet of how it should be done)

Farming Hell: every time your farm goes fallow, you have to REPLANT it. Why, oh why, wasn't this automated?

Conclusion

Even with the imprimatur of Microsloth upon it, AOE is one of the, if not THE, premier RTS games available today.