While it would have been nice to see more of the economic aspect of war, it is exciting to help a tribe of troglodytes fight through 500,000 years to become a nano-tech nation. Those who polish off the campaigns and human opponents will enjoy the sophisticated editor used to make countless encounters including personalized cut-scenes.ДЄlthough not the prettiest game in the genre, Empire Earth's expansive timeline of conflict is unmatched. Expect stiff opposition early on, as the scenarios are very challenging and well designed. Often cheesy English lines are read with even worse foreign accents that fail to stay consistent, sometimes changing in mid-paragraph.Дespite minor quibbles with graphics and voicing, Empire Earth is a fun game for seasoned gamers. The only real blemish is the voice acting. The background music is also decent without being distracting, although after a few hours of play, the looping may start to grate on some players' nerves. Even though the clanging of swords is exchanged later for the clanking of tank treads, the sounds are uniformly superior to most other RTS games. Also, the polygon count adds up quickly in multiplayer games with high populations, resulting in major slowdown for lower end computers.Д¬ontinuity through the ages requires not only cohesive graphics, but sounds as well. While it does a fine job of scrolling in for intimate cut-scenes, there is no swivel command, which would have been helpful in locating hidden units behind trees or buildings. The camera, unfortunately, fails to take full advantage of the polygon playing field. Ship battles look better than air and land battles, as the multi-tiered water makes for neat submarine and torpedo effects. Planes tumble from the sky convincingly and ships sink realistically.

After a while, the flat-faced characters develop their own charm, but it is an acquired taste. The polygons comprising the host of tanks, ships, planes, and people are somewhat blocky even at the best resolution and even worse when viewed close up. While Empire Earth may be an offshoot (if not spiritual successor) of Age of Empires, it doesn't have the meticulously clean and crisp graphics of that series. Still, commanders can shape their strategies around key weapon types using these advancements, giving even more depth and variation to the solid design. Players cannot rely on one unit type, as it is still a highly developed game of rock-scissors-paper, or, in this case, spear vs. Everything from swordsmen to cyberbots can be built faster, stronger, and cheaper, giving players unheard of customization opportunities for their society.ДЄdditional building improvements can be researched and individual unit types will specialize for a modest cost of gold, wood, iron, or stone. Civilization points earned after completing objectives can be used to buy specific improvements for buildings, peasants, or military units. Just as new ideas lead to improvements in weapons and technology, Empire Earth uses several new design ideas to improve on the state of RTS games. Such a large breadth of time and evolution means that only the epic battles and greatest conflicts are featured, however. The reliance on basic materials remains a constant, but production means improve as well peasants go from dragging items on the ground to using poles and finally incorporating wheelbarrows. The grand scale of the game is astonishing, and the progression from rock throwing to flame throwing is handled nicely. It takes a strong home front economy and an even stronger military force to create the greatest empire of all time. Lead designer Rick Goodman mostly sticks to the same formula he used in his smash hit Age of Empires. Historic personages are also introduced, including notables like Alexander the Great, Napoleon Bonaparte, and even Manfred von Richthofen, otherwise known as the Red Baron. Four single player campaigns, individual scenarios, and multiplayer skirmishes portray some of the greatest struggles throughout history such as the Trojan War and World War I. The title is ambitious in scope, rife with innovative ideas and, while not flawless, is a genuinely fun addition to the ever-growing lineup of RTS games.Д®mpire Earth follows mankind through 14 epochs, from the Prehistoric Age to the futuristic Nano Age, each made distinctive by weapon and building designs. Since games about armaments tend to fare better than games about hardware, it is little wonder that Empire Earth charts the 500,000+ history of man by advancements in military might. As a rule, the history of humanity's time on Earth is usually summed up by the development of mankind's tools and weapons.

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