Age of Empires 2 HD
This game is the sequel of Age of Empires and it is a HD version of the original age of empires 2 game, and it effectively proves that the classical formula for real-time strategy games cannot be beaten in terms of popularity. Age of Empires 2 HD is one of the best real-time strategy games I have played to date.
In Age of Empires 2 HD you have to build an empire by either choosing any map from the server or you can custom make your own map. You can choose between different nations of the world. You can choose different levels in difficulty, you can also choose different ages and you also have to choose the type of game you want. You can operate your empire by choosing between a fortress, island, Group Island, coastal areas and more. You can also choose to operate from a real map of a country like Britain or Italy.
The game begins by you being given an empire to run, and the player can choose up to six other players to compete against. Player can make allies before starting or in between the game. If you don’t want to be allied with any one, you can be enemies with other players. Player has to use the villagers to build buildings such as military buildings, houses, castles, wonders, etc in order to survive in the game.
Wonders are built in the architectural style of the nation/civilization you have selected. When a wonder is constructed Player must defend it, it should stand for four hundred years for you to win, even if it does not stand, you don’t lose the game.
Castles act as military buildings, when enemies approach your castle, it will kill them. For each castle you construct, the population limit increases by 20 (maximum 500 limit). Each castle can create a special unit based on the civilization you choose.
Priests can convert enemy buildings, villagers and army to your tribe. They will also heal your army after battle. There are more than five relics located in different places depending on the map and mode, with the help of the priests you have to take them and place them in the church, this will increase your gold.
You can also choose the color of your tribe at the beginning of the game. The default color is blue.
You have to use the villagers to get food, stone, gold and wood. When Player is allied with a computer player, player can send food, wood, stone and gold and receive them back from them. In the military buildings you must create an army to defend your tribe. The last tribe standing wins the game.
There are four ages and you can click on them to go to the next age in the town center. For every level you go, you can increase your research level according to the age.
In the single player menu, Player can play as one of the renowned warriors like Joan of Arc, Genghis Khan, William Wallace, Prithvi raj chauan and more. But this is possible only in single player mode.
There are cheats for this game but by continuously using them you will get bored. Steam does not consider this as a game for a achievement.
This game takes a minimum of 2 to 3 hours to complete and is quite engrossing and addictive to play.
There is an option on how to play this game also; it will guide you through the whole game in a simple manner.
There is an informative section where you can read up on the history of nations. It is interestingly written and illustrated.
This game is very simple – you only need the mouse to play, only left and right mouse buttons need be used. Right click to select the character. Left key is to move the character. But this is possible only after right clicking, right clicking is also used for collecting materials and building things.
You do not need to have a high graphic card for this Age of Empires 2 HD, this game needs only little space. Each character is realistic with lot of detailing. The wood, stone, food and gold are realistic; when you consume them they disappear. Desserts, grass lands with cliffs, all of it look realistic.
The main game play is a combination of isometric view and top views. We can see the characters such as the villagers, army ships, buildings in isometric view. The fish jumps out of the water to show where they are. The game designers have done an excellent job in designing them.
The sound is good. For each character there is a special sound, when a villager or an army person is created, a special sound will be created for them.
The graphic levels for this game: 3 out of 5 stars
The sound levels for this game: 3.5 out 5 stars
User friendliness of this game: 5 out of 5 stars
Story for this game: 5 out of 5 stars
Controls for this game: 5 out of 5 stars.
I recommend this game for the age group of 12+ especially for those interested in strategy and history.