Rise of Nations (2003)
Genres:Strategy, Real Time Strategy (RTS), Quiz/Trivia
Themes:Fantasy, Historical, Warfare
Game modes:Single player, Multiplayer
Story:Combining the deep tactical elements of turn-based strategy games with the rapid gameplay of real-time strategy, Rise of Nations puts you in command of one of 18 civilizations over the course of thousands of years of history.
Vote to bring this game to GOG and help preserve it.12 137
When I was a kid I was really into RTS games (like AoE or C&C series). And trying this game out had me immediately go and introduce it to my brother. The sheer enjoyment of seeing your nation (which one can choose from a plethora of options) grow from a small Bronze Age settlement to a modern superpower, and being able to use units from all these different eras really stuck with me.
This one is a true gem in history that deserves to be preserved on GOG.
Rise of Nations feels like a true successor to Age of Empires II. It's simple to get into, it's complex to master, and it features some cool ideas and mechanics for the genre: there's a diplomacy component, the attrition mechanic is pretty clever, there's espionage, and even the Scout component of the game makes it easy and fun to get into.
That said, the reason I look so fondly to this game, is because of the hours I spent playing with this really good friend of mine. Those were very fun times, and newer generations deserve to play a really solid, really fun, really well designed RTS.
I agree that this game is extremely good, but guess what? It's already available on Steam!
Having said that, it has many unique features that set it apart from its fellow RTS games, like Age of Empires. As well as the usual technologies and upgrades that you can use to upgrade your civilization through the ages, you can also vote what kind of civilization it should be: a monarchy or a republic? A tyranny or a democracy? Etc. Each of your choices gives you bonuses.
You can obviously build wonders of the world (which take a long time but give you dramatic bonuses), and you can take your civilization into the future and win the game.
This game is available on Steam, as I said, but it would be awesome to see it on GOG too.
The best, most fun and addictive hybrid real time strategy game that nobody talks about. With AI smarter than Age of Empires II and deeper strategy and progression than StarCraft. This game is the RTS GOAT.
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Note: GameSpy ended all hosted game services in 2014, which affects the online multiplayer aspect of one or more games in the collection. Learn more about this in our FAQ.
Game Features:
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