Empire Earth plays well (as in, it doesn't pale in comparison to other popular RTS's of the time, such as Age of Empires 2 or Age of Mythology), but what set it apart from other games was its unbridled ambition. Attempting to cover such a broad timeline earns the game serious extra points. That it accomplished that goal without diluting the finished product and overall enjoyment factor is a true testament to its greatness. While it might not quite be the equal AoM for sheer entertainment, it is certainly a very good game. The price makes it a no-brainer.