Nintendo DS

Age of Empires: Mythologies

Strategy games are, surprisingly, still thriving, and in a virtual sea of blockbuster, action hits, it’s nice to know games like Age of Empire: Mythologies can still be great fun. Using classic tales and creatures is a wonderful way to capture the imagination of folks who might otherwise be put off by strategy games in general, and AoE’s pace and presentation hit many highs that should satisfy both new and old fans alike. Mythologies is also a very sizeable package, offering over 20 hours of play with just the single-player campaigns, and the multiplayer component is a well thought out addition players can break out whenever the mood strikes.

What struck me most about Mythologies refined mechanics and excellent presentation was that it was all happening on the DS. Sure, longtime fans of this genre will no doubt find faults when comparing the experience to its PC counterparts, but they’ll soon realize these flaws are a small price to pay when you consider this genre can be enjoyed, to this quality-pushing extent, in the palm of their hand. And those new to Age of Empires brand of play should find it the perfect way to introduce them to a genre they may have previously been reluctant to try. At $30 I found the solo campaign worth every gold piece, but those looking to extend the tactical fun can play with up to four fellow strategists online, or enjoy single and multiple cartridge play locally. When you’ve gotten your fill of saving our world and all those fictional ones in this season’s blockbusters, find some time to wield the powers of ancient gods in this tiny title that packs big, addictive fun.

Without a doubt, this is one of the very best strategy titles for the Nintendo DS. Some may gripe about the lack of non-combat depth; I know I would have liked to see more. After all, this game is much more similar to Advance Wars than it is to 1701 AD, both of which are excellent DS titles for strategy buffs but have very distinct focuses. Nevertheless, this is strictly a subjective comment. Age of Empires: Mythologies is an amazing game that truly demonstrates the power, complexity, and fun that can be wrung out of Nintendo's handheld. Griptonite's setting the bar! We'd love to see a sequel to this game, but we'd also really like to see this model applied by THQ and Griptonite in future games of varying themes.

Age of Empires: Mythologies is indisputably one of the most robust, rewarding, and entertaining strategy games on DS. It needs to be supported, and it deserves to succeed. We hope to see the series back again on DS, complete with more than three playable cultures, more customization (map editor?) and even more of what has made this series great. Until then, we’ve got more than enough to see and do in Mythologies.

Vor kurzem habe ich nochmals die PC-Vorlage gespielt. Der Sprung in die Rundenstrategie fiel mir daher nun etwas schwerer als gedacht. Doch nachdem ich mich auf das Spielprinzip eingelassen hatte, fand ich mich auch in der Welt sofort wieder. Das aus der PC-Vorlage bekannte stressige Treiben wurde hier nahezu komplett getilgt. Das ist insofern nicht schlimm, da dafür die planerischen und taktischen Überlegungen eine wesentlich gewichtigere Rolle spielen und das Spiel damit tatsächlich mehr für die grauen Zellen zu bieten hat. Man muss dem Entwicklerteam Respekt dafür zollen, dass sie die wunderbare Welt der Age of Mythology-Vorlage so stimmig in den Nintendo DS-Titel umgesetzt haben. Ein sehr gutes Spiel für Freunde rundenbasierter, strategischer Schlachten!

Let's hope we don't have to wait two more years for another addition to the Age of Empires family on the DS. This franchise might not have a lot in common with the PC games upon which it is based, but it has more than enough magic to keep you playing just one more turn for many hours.

Das die Geschichtchen keinen Buchpreis gewinnen, sich die Missionsziele gleichen und die Übersichtsmängel nicht abgestellt wurden, verhindert zwar eine höhere Wertung, dies kann der Spieler aber leicht verschmerzen. Auf alle Fälle ein Tipp für Liebhaber des DS-Vorgängers oder Freunde von Old School-Strategie-Spielen mit einem DS.

Plus beau, plus riche et plus fun que son prédécesseur, Age of Empires : Mythologies sur DS aurait mérité une meilleure note, qu'il aurait obtenue sans la persistance de fâcheux problèmes de jouabilité. Non seulement ces derniers n'ont pas tous été corrigés, mais d'autres ont même fait leur apparition, nous contraignant à sanctionner le titre sur ce point. Reconnaissons tout de même qu'on finit par s'en accommoder, et qu'on peut alors profiter d'un jeu à la profondeur intacte, doté d'une dimension stratégique relevée et d'une durée de vie phénoménale.

Y si por algún casual llega un momento que nos cansamos, podemos hacer uso de las diversas opciones para disputar partidas multijugador. Con una sola consola, con varias consolas y una copia del juego, con varias copias del juego en red local o con varias copias del juego, con amigos o desconocidos, a través del servicio Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. Una de las ofertas más completas en este sentido para Nintendo DS. En definitiva, si te gusta la estrategia por turnos y hace ya un año que acabaste el último Advance Wars, empieza 2009 con otra franquicia mítica, nunca mejor dicho, Age of Empires: Mythologies.

This is a great strategy game for the DS, and one that strategy fans won’t want to miss. It’s fun to play, pretty to see and nice to hear. All the different modes add a good bit of content. The single-player campaign could be longer, but overall this is a great way to spend a few hours on a hand-held.

In the end, then, it's the vibrant strategic options available to you that mark out Age of Empires: Mythologies' success. Just like Jason's use of the Golden Fleece, this is one refreshed classic, although some old trappings remain. So while the game adds new tricks, thanks to its online multiplayer and a wealth of features, it still holds onto a few outdated conventions in terms of its design. Then again, mythology always invokes a bit of ancient history, doesn't it?

A lot of things just plain work in this title, while elements - like the addition of god powers - are a bit too nuanced to pack any real punch. In all, Mythologies follows the tried-and-true tactical formula of collecting resources to develop tech and increase units and then go fight some battles. With gameplay to rival Advance Wars, Mythologies lacks the graphical oomph to set it apart from the pack but remains a robust strategy title. A solid, deep game it gets a lot of things right and is such an improvement over its predecessor it is an ideal pick for gamers looking to try the series - and a must have for gamers disillusioned with the last iteration's meager graphical effort.

Multiplayer is likewise streamlined and consists of skirmishing up to three opponents on a variety of maps. Best part about this: Some maps can even be played on multiple DSes with a single cartridge, which means your buddies won't have to buy the game to play with you -- thanks, THQ! In all, Mythologies is a solid tactics title, and while it follows the beaten path, at least it takes you along the scenic route.

Age of Empires: Mythologies for the DS is like the travel version of a board game: it does its job if for practical reasons you can't play the real deal but for the rest it's just a shadow of what it's based on.

So how do you spice up a turn-based strategy game previously based on classical figures and historical battles? According to THQ, you add mythological monsters and make the battles more fictitious, because if there's one thing school has taught us, it's that "history" and "facts" are not fun.