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Rise of Nations

This certainly is one Big Huge and actually rather good Game...

First off, let me explain something to you.. I am a snob.. a full-out over-the-top strategy snob. I cut my teeth on hex-based wargames, throw in a healthy dose of turn based strategy and top it off with computer chess. This is why, in the past, I have been guilty of scoffing at the "strategy" in real-time strategy games.. after all, where's the strategy in building heaps and heaps of units and throwing them haphazardly at your opponent?

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Imagine my surprise, then, when after only a few games of Big Huge Games' newest addition to the RTS Genre - Rise of Nations, I found myself totally and utterly hooked.

Now, I am not saying that Rise of Nations (now and forever more referred to as RoN) is anything new, as far as RTS goes, most of the features and gameplay ideas will be very familiar to any RTS fan. Where RoN really knocks it out of the park is in terms of how well these existing ideas are sculpted on to a very solid engine.

RoN takes players from the Ancient Age, complete with Spear Chuckers, Slingers and blokes with Pointy Sticks, through the Medieval Ages with Knights and Catapults, past the Gunpowder Age all the way through to Modern Day with Stealth Bombers, Cruise Missiles and Flamethrowers and pretty much everything in between. Needless to say, this isn't anything revolutionary, but RoN is so polished, so flawless in its approach that you may be forgiven thinking that this is the first time. I felt like an RTS virgin all over again.

Players have the option of leading one of 18 nations through the history books in the quest for ultimate dominance, and each nation has its own distinctive units as well as special strengths, or powers. BHG (Big Huge Games) have taken extreme care in balancing all of these nations, so playing each one not only helps the player understand their opponents, but also dramatically increases the replayability - a frequent let down in other titles of the genre.

Players have the option of fighting on a myriad of maps, against 1-7 computer opponents as part of the "quick battle" scenario, and there is a veritable host of options and game styles from the traditional free for all, deathmatch, to more unusual play styles like "Assassin" and "Musical Chairs". Assassin is my personal favourite as the player is assigned a target nation to strike against, and is at huge penalties if he should try to attack another nation not on his hit list. It may sound a little unusual, but when you play it for yourself, you’ll see exactly what I mean.

The campaign in Rise of Nations is almost a game within a game. Called "Conquer the World", it places all of the 18 nations on the world map and the player must decide whether to use diplomatic, monetary wealth or military power to conquer each of the 50-odd territories. If he chooses to opt for a military solution, it spawns a real-time scenario, and I feel this works excellently to flesh out the bridge between a scope more akin to a turn-based game, to the ferocious face-off that is the real-time portion of the game.

As one would expect, there are a number of difficulty settings versus the AI, and in my long (very) years of experience, I have not seen AI this polished before. The computer plays smart, and aggressively and on most of the settings, does not "cheat". Muchos kudos to BHG - the AI routines used in RoN should be a standard all future strategy games need to aspire to.

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1. I actually was very comfortable with the feel of AoE. AoE, back in its day, was a solid title, and that helped me settle into it well.

   But agree totally with you on the Campaign front... makes a very nice change from previous offerings.

   Ferrago_Adrian Monday, 23 June 2003, 18:23:22

2. It has so many great little touches, this game. Every sensible RTS convention is here, plus nice useful additions.

   Like the way drag-box selection doesn't mix military units and workers, so if you need to grab a fighting squad at a moments notice you don't have to worry about stray civilians ending up in battle.

   Or the automatic unit management for idle workers.

   Just great design, through and through. It deserves to sell well, and I hope it does.

   Nick Monday, 23 June 2003, 20:43:54

3. I have been playing RTS games for a very long time...Dune(the original Westwood Game). Not since then have I ancountered a game that I have enjoyed so much. This game has been the only thing I have played since its release.....and I haven't payeed a game like that since......warcraft.

   A truly great game.

   Glaukon Tuesday, 24 June 2003, 08:24:25

4. HI I would like to know if anyone knows where I can download the full version of Rise Of Nations.

   E-mail me back at max_cool_13@hotmail.com if u know.

   Thanks max

   max Sunday, 29 August 2004, 09:24:1

5. i would also like to know. Please e-mail me at EchelonDesign@gmail.com

   Pat Saturday, 9 October 2004, 17:26:39

6. can some1 tel me where to get a full download e-mail me at snickertje@msn.com plz

   nick s Sunday, 12 December 2004, 05:31:4

7. can some1 tel me where to get a full download e-mail me at apparent_puddle@hotmail.com ,thx

   Unused_username Wednesday, 12 January 2005, 03:22:11

8. can some1 tel me where to get a full download e-mail me at JKean_0@hotmail.com

   jk Saturday, 12 February 2005, 13:08:4

9. Yeah i lossed my RON disc but i still got the expansion anywhere i can download the game?

   Etan Saturday, 26 February 2005, 11:46:3

10. Plzzz write me where i can download full verion of RON dragon85sw@interia.pl

    Dragoonos Thursday, 17 March 2005, 21:59:14

11. can somebody plz tell me where i can download the full version if so plz contact me bouserh@hotmail.com

    thanx beau

    beau Wednesday, 13 April 2005, 12:48:39

12. Who knows where I can find the full version of Rise of Nations for free? Mail me back juliojcesar@yahoo.com.br

    Ceasar Monday, 9 May 2005, 14:42:46

13. HI I would like to know if anyone knows where I can download the full version of Rise Of Nations

    ADITYA Sunday, 15 May 2005, 11:51:51

14. HI I would like to know if anyone knows where I can download the full version of Rise Of Nations Then email me at adityathehero@rediffmail.com

    ADITYATHEHERO Sunday, 15 May 2005, 11:54:24

16. HI I would like to know if anyone knows where I can download the full version of Rise Of Nations Then email me at adityathehero@rediffmail.com

    ADITYATHEHERO Sunday, 15 May 2005, 11:54:26

17. Hi I would also like to know where to get a full version of RoN. Please email me at geodostheevil@hotmail.com

    Geodos Thursday, 9 June 2005, 11:10:33

18. Me too - me too...I want a free full version of RoN, please.

    blue.civic@netzero.com

    Tim Tuesday, 14 June 2005, 05:41:49

19. Hi...can someone forward a location where I can download the full version of Rise of Nations to bold8@hotmail.com??

    Thanks

    BlakMoon Saturday, 25 June 2005, 11:14:44

20. I would also like to know where I can download the full version for free is possible. deathisland@gmail.com

    deathisland Sunday, 3 July 2005, 12:03:11

21. can anyone tell me where I can download the full version of rise of nations free, please e-mail me d4m0ns@gmail.com

    costi Wednesday, 6 July 2005, 06:07:5

22. this site is so cool!!! its neatooooooo!!!

    and ill never go to jail

    theguyoverthere Wednesday, 13 July 2005, 18:42:47

23. K, i found a link (it worked a few minutes after i posted and currently it isnt working :(.

    Its:

    http://dl.njfiw.gov.cn/softwares/%D3%CE%CF%B7%D3%E9%C0%D6/%b9%fa%bc%d2%b5%c4%e1%c8%c6%f0/%b9%e2%c5%cc%d3%b3%cf%f3/

    It is a .Bin file (which can be used by CD burning software to burn it to disc and then use it). Most of the Warez sites tend to lead to this one which is really annoying.

    Im anyone has a link other than that one, please tell me it via email TheJeffsta at gmail dot com (replacing the at with @ and dot with .)

    Thanks

    Jeffrey Sunday, 17 July 2005, 19:51:11

24. HI I would like to know if anyone knows where I can download the full version of Rise Of Nations

    email me at unknownguitarist707@comcast.net

    or

    chato7o7@gmail.com

    unknownbz911 Thursday, 28 July 2005, 17:06:46

25. waterman_007@hotmail.com

    plz, i need the full Thrones and patriots

    Krause Monday, 15 August 2005, 22:42:22

26. hi pls any one tell me where to download full version for free.....mail me at lucky.chetan@gmail.com

    chetan Sunday, 21 August 2005, 07:07:25

27. Yea add me 2 this list, ryannorton2@gmail.com, and i will throw in some gmail accounts in payment

    Nortonator Wednesday, 28 September 2005, 09:11:17

28. and me too

    Davesfantasyid@yahoo.com

    Anon Thursday, 29 September 2005, 18:35:30

29. hi if anyone can send me a working link to download this i will give them as many gmail accounts as they want (0-50) and i will also include 2 steam accounts, one that is not banned with counterstrike, half life, day of defeat, teamfortress classic, and condename gordon. and if they want a banned steam account that has all of the steam games where the source games are banned but all the HL1 games are still unbanned i will include that as well. you can still play the HL2 campaign game thing and all source games on unvac secured servers. thats what i do. IT also includes DOD Source. PLEASE send me a link for this at sam.a.gray@gmail.com

    samgray16 Tuesday, 4 October 2005, 15:38:3

30. hi if anyone can send me a working link to download this i will give them as many gmail accounts as they want (0-50) and i will also include 2 steam accounts, one that is not banned with counterstrike, half life, day of defeat, teamfortress classic, and condename gordon. and if they want a banned steam account that has all of the steam games where the source games are banned but all the HL1 games are still unbanned i will include that as well. you can still play the HL2 campaign game thing and all source games on unvac secured servers. thats what i do. IT also includes DOD Source. PLEASE send me a link for this at sam.a.gray@gmail.com

    samgray16 Tuesday, 4 October 2005, 15:38:45

32. please send me a link at

    Mark_Hughes5@hotmail.co.uk

    Dudester Sunday, 9 October 2005, 08:22:56

33. if anyone could tell me where to download a full copy of RoN, i'd really appreciate it....

    luke.yoda@gmail.com

    kc0nds Sunday, 9 October 2005, 16:11:33

34. email me at jbblue05@yahoo.com for download of full version

    Joseph Friday, 14 October 2005, 23:54:47

35. Mee toooooooo

    specialistliu@hotmail.com

    JK Saturday, 15 October 2005, 21:17:8

36. Same as everyone else I am interested in getting a true copy of RON,.... the disc I currently have is scratched and I cannot install,.... if there is any particular P2P network for such things,..or a link,..I'd LOVE to know!!!!! Thank you in advance,...

    ~Jay~ NCEnigma@hotmail.com

    Jaytee Sunday, 16 October 2005, 00:01:20

37. If someone can tell me the 25 leter can you please e-mail it to "meerkat_01@yahoo.com.au"

    Thank You Taylor

    Taylor Johnston Friday, 28 October 2005, 10:49:20

38. Could someone send me al ink to the full version inclusive the Thrones and patriots expansion?

    Send it to jack_theman@hotmail.com

    Thank you very much!!

    wackojacko Thursday, 17 November 2005, 19:47:54

39. hmmm... Hi, I got something to ask, is the site http://dl.njfiw.gov.cn/softwares/%D3%CE%CF%B7%D3%E9%C0%D6/%b9%fa%bc%d2%b5%c4%e1%c8%c6%f0/%b9%e2%c5%cc%d3%b3%cf%f3/

    one of you guys posted indeed the full download? And does it include Thrones And Patriots???? Thx.

    If anyone knows where I can download the full versionof thrones and patriots, please tell me, and post it. THX!

    Nick.W Saturday, 19 November 2005, 11:56:12

40. Where can I find a site to download a full version of Rise Of Nations : Thrones And Patriots?????

    Could anyone please tell me, thanks!!!!!

    Nick.W Sunday, 20 November 2005, 08:18:41

41. Hi could someone please tell me where to download the full verson of rise of nations at nonono222002@yahoo.com?? please

    Zach Saturday, 26 November 2005, 05:10:12

42. no comment

    philip Friday, 2 December 2005, 20:06:17

43. the game is realy cool

    fillip Friday, 2 December 2005, 20:06:56

44. Me tooooo...rise of nations FULL

    pleaz!!!!!

    emtau05@yahoo.com

    tautau Tuesday, 6 December 2005, 08:56:44

45. k is that link actualyl the reald deal cuz i dotn want it to be e avirus

    oomey Monday, 19 December 2005, 02:55:11

46. where i can download aoe 1 or 2 full version?

    Noob Sunday, 25 December 2005, 23:35:44

48. can anybody send me rise of nations the full version please!!!!!! send to tiago_p12@hotmail.com

    Tiago Sunday, 15 January 2006, 18:57:25

49. i have done it i have got rise of nations not the new but it´s

    cool for that you have to have emule razorback 2.0

    Tiago Sunday, 15 January 2006, 19:02:9

50. can someone send me a link were i can download the full version also? if so send it to nynameisjoe@hotmail.com

    kev d Sunday, 15 January 2006, 23:58:39

51. If anyone actually knows of a site link or an IP address on a P2P network where i can get the full version of RoN then PLZ send me an email at dinkie_is@hotmail.com.

    Thankyou

    Adam Thursday, 26 January 2006, 06:35:43

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    EDMUNDO PEPE Friday, 3 February 2006, 18:48:42

53. A portugese company selling xbox 360 premium for less than $200 and motorola v3x for less than $300,contact us now through email:mobilephonesgamesltda@yahoo.com.br

    EDUMONDO PEPE Friday, 3 February 2006, 19:22:33

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