Introduction:
Ensemble studios delivers a brand new installment in the Age of Empires series. Those familiar with the series will already know of its crossover style between Civilizations resource- and knowledge-management on one hand strategy-based battle and conquer on the other. AoM brings to the table a foray into the ancient mythology of three different civilizations: The Greeks, the Norse, and the Egyptians. Players are able to choose deities in the various pantheons (temples) for their villagers to worship. As always, once you pick sides in a conflict you find yourself involved in all the petty wars and drama of the various deities. (Lucky for you the deities grant god powers to help, which are specialized powers that may be used only once per scenario and range from a lightning bolt that destroys one unit, to a shower of wrathful meteors.) Sounds like fun don’t it!
Description:
Age of Mythology never sacrifices an abiding faithfulness to the history and folklore that records all this mythology. Background given for each myth unit contextualizes the unit, so that AoM manages to invoke ancient cultures’ lore without thoughtlessly appropriating it or completely butchering its cultural significance. And the units themselves represent a fascinating diversity, from Minotaurs and Gorgons to crocodiles that shoot beams of light from their forehead and giant wolves animated by the spirits of ancient, powerful warriors. The myth units make a fearsome addition to any army, yours or the enemy’s, though they can easily be conquered by plentiful heroes like Arkantos, Ajax, Odysseus, Amanra, and a bevy of powerful Norse heroes wielding giant hammers and characteristic horned helmets.
Graphics:
All of these units are rendered in crisp detail within the game, though cut scene animations are less impressive. Polygon counts appear to be quite low in the cut scenes, so that Arkantos’ head looks like a side of mutton with coals for eyes and epileptic red caterpillars for a mouth. Continuity between scenarios is also disappointing, as you’ll routinely win one scenario with a particular group of soldiers only to be given a completely different army moments later when the next scenario starts. Transitions between cut scenes and gameplay are, however, nearly flawless, as the camera zooms out and the units are suddenly under your command. And the enthusiastic voice acting and well-written dialogue compensate for what the eye lacks, doing a great deal alone to flesh out the epic storyline and set up the rigorous challenges presented in each scenario.
