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[jj984jj]

http://ds.ign.com/articles/686/686636p1.html

As a total package, Age of Empires DS manages to squeeze a ton of what made the series great onto the portable. While there are a few aspects that could have been better, such as the battle sequences, the core gameplay is all there; a true achievement. For fans of the series, Age of Empires DS offers new strategies to explore, while still retaining the magic of the series you have come to love. Be sure to check back for our full review this Friday.

 

[Error]

EGM gave the game a good score... sleeper hit? I honestly didn't thought this game would turn out to be good.

 

[7Th]

EGM gave the game a good score... sleeper hit? I honestly didn't thought this game would turn out to be good.

I don't believe anyone did. All of my money was on this being pretty bad, I may pick it up now.

 

[Mrbob]

I've been behind this game since the beginning.

I don't even think Drinky can resist this game, considering he also seems to be a big AoE fan. Technology based gameplay is still there, but now in a turn based format. Hawt.

 

[Do The Mario]

The strategy game whore in me wants to buy this but I have so much to save up for!

 

[I <3 Katamari]

Can someone explain to me how EGM gets to put out a review in a magazine that went to press, what, 2-3 weeks ago?

Yet we have to wait until a day or two before the game's release for sites to review it.

 

[jj984jj]

Can someone explain to me how EGM gets to put out a review in a magazine that went to press, what, 2-3 weeks ago?

Yet we have to wait until a day or two before the game's release for sites to review it.

Moneyhats? I dunno, but I doubt it'll get a 9 on IGN, the gameplay should keep the score up but the graphics will bring it down a bit.

 

[Jiggy]

I never liked a strategy game enough to buy it before I got Advance Wars 2, but the combination of AW2's and AWDS's awesomeness and the DS' nonstop great library ever since November has me interested for Age of Empires. I'll have to see a few reviews for it before I decide, but still, just the fact that I actually care about a non-AW strategy game, and one that's most likely not going to have any female characters other than Joan of Arc, is saying something.

 

[Archie]

I hope this game sucks because I don't want to buy anything else before Tetris DS >

 

[Morts]

Unless they only want $10 for it, I'll pass. This was my dream game for the DS before it was announced, because when it was only in my head it was online and real-time.

 

[Raw64life]

Yea. I probably still wont buy it, but when they first revealed the game it had "shovelware" written all over it. Apparently it turned out to be a good game.

 

[A Link to the Past]

I don't believe anyone did. All of my money was on this being pretty bad, I may pick it up now.

I had hope!

I called it!

I was predicting quality before there were any previews! :lol :lol

Had to get that out of my system.

 

[dicklaurent]

I was going to write that it's nice to see a game out of Digital Eclipse that isn't a random publisher's old greatest hits type collection.. but then I did some research and found that the game isn't actually developed by them, but Backbone. He-he. Foundation9 confusion for ign.

 

[Frankfurter]

Excellent, I'm probably going to get it

 

[Xellotah]

Yeah, I'll probably get it.

We really need a port of civilization. Civ2, heck even Civ1 will be great.

 

[123rl]

As a total package, Age of Empires DS manages to squeeze a ton of what made the series great onto the portable. While there are a few aspects that could have been better, such as the battle sequences, the core gameplay is all there; a true achievement. For fans of the series, Age of Empires DS offers new strategies to explore, while still retaining the magic of the series you have come to love. Be sure to check back for our full review this Friday.

WTF?

They changed it from REAL-TIME to TURN-BASED. I can't think of a bigger change they could have made :lol How can anyone say the core gameplay is still the same when they've changed the most important aspect of it? IGN fail...again.

I'm sure it'll be a great game but it's not the real AoE experience anymore, IMO. I'll still buy it though because my DS is in serious need of some playtime. The poor little bastard is getting seriously neglected.

 

[Musashi Wins!]

I think this sounds fantastic. Wish it came out today instead of RE port.

 

[Ranger X]

That was the perfect console to actually play a fucking RTS like on PC and they didn't do it

DS am cry

 

[123rl]

Maybe the DS isn't powerful enough to handle a full RTS game? I would have loved a conversion of Age Of Empires 2...it would have been PERFECT

 

[elektrotal]

Can someone explain to me how EGM gets to put out a review in a magazine that went to press, what, 2-3 weeks ago?

Yet we have to wait until a day or two before the game's release for sites to review it.

same way all the other print mags do. Companies understand how publication works, so they provide games to mags much earlier than online. Online reviews are best when they are posted right as the game comes out because of the way that consumers think. A fresh review for a fresh game, lets go out and buy it! embargoes and stuff are completely different for the two sides of publication, and often times, the assets are different as well. It's a very structured process.

These days, the greater concern is that online sites are scooping print mags by virtue of their immediacy, and nullifying the nature of print exclusives. I remember at 1up how we'd do our best to post CGW, OPM and EGM reviews as soon as the games came out, even if their respective print editions hadn't come out yet.

in any event, i'm looking forward to seeing if strategy games and the DS are as perfect a fit as i desperately hope they'll be. I mean fuck, if they can put Civ2 on the ngage and do a decent job of it, i'm sure they can port civ 3 to the DS =)

 

[Mrbob]

WTF?

They changed it from REAL-TIME to TURN-BASED. I can't think of a bigger change they could have made :lol How can anyone say the core gameplay is still the same when they've changed the most important aspect of it? IGN fail...again.

I'm sure it'll be a great game but it's not the real AoE experience anymore, IMO. I'll still buy it though because my DS is in serious need of some playtime. The poor little bastard is getting seriously neglected.

While I agree the shift to real time to turn based is a big change, I believe he means many of the core age and technology advancements are included in the game.

Also, to those who want a RTS, the DS screen size is too small to handle a full fledged RTS.

 

[Ranger X]

Maybe a mix of "will" and "DS capabilities".
Seriously, i'm pretty sure it would have been possible to tweak some RTS style Age of Empire in there.

Keep in mind most devellopers are investing very small time and budgets on portable games.

 

[Mrbob]

Maybe a mix of "will" and "DS capabilities".
Seriously, i'm pretty sure it would have been possible to tweak some RTS style Age of Empire in there.

Keep in mind most devellopers are investing very small time and budgets on portable games.

If both screens were touch screens, then I could see RTS style game working. However, only half the DS has a touch screen, so you are limited to 3" for your playscreen. You need to manage map movement, technology resources, potential hot key setting, managing your personal for battling and resource gathering. Not to mention you are also cramming buildings and enviroments all onto the same screen. It is just way too much to cram into such a small screen.

 

[Musashi Wins!]

Yea, I don't think the design of the DS would be good for RTS at all. I'm glad for the conversion.

 

[Prospero]

If I wanted a game that played like Age of Empires on a PC, I'd play Age of Empires on a PC. (Or Star Wars: Galactic Battlegrounds, I guess.)

I'm glad they went for turn-based gaming on this one.

 

[Ranger X]

Since the game is reworked anyway, i could have reworked it into something similar to PC RTS.... so they can. Or maybe i'm miyamoto-next or something or they lack imagination terribly.

 

[olimario]

WTF?

They changed it from REAL-TIME to TURN-BASED. I can't think of a bigger change they could have made :lol How can anyone say the core gameplay is still the same when they've changed the most important aspect of it? IGN fail...again.

I'm sure it'll be a great game but it's not the real AoE experience anymore, IMO. I'll still buy it though because my DS is in serious need of some playtime. The poor little bastard is getting seriously neglected.

How? In the last few months more than a few good games were released for the system. Did you really finish M&L, AC, MKD, Sonic Rush, Castlevania, etc...?

 

[AirBrian]

While I agree the shift to real time to turn based is a big change, I believe he means many of the core age and technology advancements are included in the game.

Also, to those who want a RTS, the DS screen size is too small to handle a full fledged RTS.

That's the problem right there. Don't expect full-sized PC RTS's, even the older ones, to hit the DS.

 

[jarrod]

Also, to those who want a RTS, the DS screen size is too small to handle a full fledged RTS.

...not only is it a "full fledged RTS" but it's an online "full fledged RTS". If a crappy little JP dev like MMV can do that, what's stopping the mighty western RTS powerhouses?

 

[Mrbob]

^^^

Is this game already out? Also, do you know how the controls function?

I would like to read more about Ys Strategies, as I have my reservations on how it turns out.

 

[Nester]

^^^

Is this game already out? Also, do you know how the controls function?

I would like to read more about Ys Strategies, as I have my reservations on how it turns out.

Looks like it comes out in March in Japan, doesn't seem to be a release date for US. I hope so though, that looks good.

 

[Jefklak]

Looks like it comes out in March in Japan, doesn't seem to be a release date for US. I hope so though, that looks good.

'sup bro

 

[jarrod]

^^^

Is this game already out? Also, do you know how the controls function?

I would like to read more about Ys Strategies, as I have my reservations on how it turns out.

Well, it really just depends on implementation... I wouldn't think a product from MMV to be the best indication of what's possible on any platform though. DS resolution might be a hinderance, but we've gotten decent RTS on platforms with lower rez displays before (GBA, NGage, etc).

 

[Nester]

Well, it really just depends on implementation... I wouldn't think a product from MMV to be the best indication of what's possible on any platform though. DS resolution might be a hinderance, but we've gotten decent RTS on platforms with lower rez displays before (GBA, NGage, etc).

I play a game on my Pocket PC in 240x320 mode called Warfare Inc.

I play WiFi games of this in the office all the time with 3 other people. They could cut off the bottom part that contains the map, stick it on the top DS screen and you'd be fine. The game plays wonderfully and I don't have any problems selecting individual units, even though they look pretty small. I think RTS would work well on the DS.

 

[ToxicAdam]

http://www.ageofempiresds.com/

Command one of five different civilizations: the Britons, Franks, Mongols, Saracens, and Japanese.

Take control of special ‘Hero’ units like Richard the Lionheart, Minamoto Yoshitsune, Joan of Arc, Genghis Khan, and Saladin among others who command special ‘hero’ powers affecting the entire battlefield.

Command over 65 different types of units from bowmen and monks to hand cannoneers, mercenaries and samurai.

Turn-based combat, new to the Age of Empires franchise, keeps the battle moving at the player-preferred pace.

Players construct & upgrade buildings like town centers, mines, universities and ‘wonders’ to help units learn new skills and create resources for their civilizations.

Players research over 50 different technologies like chemistry, ballistics, siege craft and spying among others to take their civilization into the next age.

Get help from the new Combat Advisor who provides advice on certain campaign strategies and an indication of how the battle will go.

Multiplayer scenarios allowing up to 4 players to battle each other wirelessly.

Gain Empire Points to unlock maps & units and improve Emperor Rank.

Original music and sound effects from top-selling PC version.

Based on Ensemble Studio’s PC mega-hit, Age of Empires ® II: The Age of Kings .

Looks awesome. Time to get a DS now.

 

[TheMissingLink]

+1 for making this turn-based. Can't wait to play a deep strategy game on my DS...