It was a setting that should have played host to rather more seedy goings-on than a game demonstration – a darkened function room of an upstairs Bar in Soho. In reality it was a rare treat – the chance to get round a table with Bruce Shelley, game design Guru at Ensemble Studios, and take a good long look at their latest title Age of Mythology, in the flesh – as it were. The game is out on PC this November, and Bruce was in London demonstrating the title, of which he’s justly proud, to the hordes of journalists braving the dank and muggy air of the City’s streets.

So, having been revived with water by Microsoft’s PR execs, Bruce began to show me exactly what all the fuss was about. I was suitably impressed, to say the least – for Age of Mythology has blossomed from just a good idea, into a brilliantly realised feast of originality and creativity.

The premise is a simple one. Age of Empires expanded, enhanced and reanimated with a new mythological setting. A breath of fresh to be enjoyed by fans of the original, and the horde of new converts Ensemble hope to attract with this highly original setting.

First impressions; the game is visually stunning. Bruce points out to me the convergence of games and cinema, as I witness the game come to life in vivid detail with a pre-scripted sequence which flies around one of the games huge maps – taking in the scenery. The transition into the third-dimension has been a highly fruitful one for the ‘Age’ games – the smooth and crisp visuals owing more to Dungeon Siege than Age of Empires – only they’re much better. The world really has been brought to life as the terrain undulates, birds fly overhead, waves lap on the shore and creatures amble among the trees. It really is a site to behold, and is easily the most attractive real-time strategy game I’ve witnessed. The cloud effects are worthy of note, too, whilst a meteor shower is nothing short of breath-taking.

But the third-dimension adds more than mere eye-candy into the equation. The terrain is more realistic, the buildings far more detailed and diverse, the units better animated and the world as a whole all the more convincing. This is important to Shelley, and the team at Ensemble – it’s all about escapism – a sense of travelling to another world and really immersing yourself there, Bruce points out to me during my Tour.

Comments

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  1. rperryho@yahoo.com Unregistered 6 years ago

    what cheats r u talking about?

  2. greg Unregistered 6 years ago

    good job

  3. AoM's gonna own... Unregistered 6 years ago

    All i have to say is... NOVEMBER?!?

  4. Oponent_Snow Unregistered 6 years ago

    No it's not November release date it is October. Just go and check the GamePro preview on www.gamepro.com

  5. from korea Unregistered 6 years ago

    oh..-_- November....

  6. Chris Unregistered 6 years ago

    sometimes they do so stupid things... NOVEMBER??? i think january...

  7. alex Unregistered 6 years ago

    is there anybody who dan tell the fans when it will be released? please do tell us

  8. Mario The Great Unregistered 6 years ago

    Does anybody knows were can i download the demo or beta of aom?

  9. Mario The Great Unregistered 6 years ago

    anybody..... where can i find the beta or demo?

  10. bongo Unregistered 6 years ago

    look at www.microsoft.com
    than you can see that its already for sale and i am going to buy it for sure

  11. Jimmy Grimbal Unregistered 6 years ago

    well well well wot can i say well i can say this although the graphics and storyline for the game is good i just think some things in the game are a bit far fetched. and the release date i think that it will be out in December due to ANOTHER delay

  12. cheatmaster W.S.I. Unregistered 6 years ago

    Does anyone has the demo of AoM ? Please....... tell me, give me.................

  13. wesley Unregistered 6 years ago

    i like this game so much this in the coolest strategy game what i evver see if i see it in the shop i go buy it fast

  14. Paul Unregistered 6 years ago

    This is the best game ever

  15. bert Unregistered 5 years ago

    j

  16. yo Unregistered 5 years ago

    este juego se lo metio tu puta mdre pol el coo si tu puta madre se qse llam barbie y como le cundia y despues de meterselo pol coo me folle a tu puta madre

  17. tata Unregistered 5 years ago

    how to mail u what is ur mailbox

  18. steve Unregistered 5 years ago

    get over it u squares

  19. cheat angel Unregistered 5 years ago

    try typing 'MOUNY OLYMPUS' at the chat bar. Then type'WRATH Of The GODS'

    GREAT FUN!!



    :-D

  20. agj Unregistered 5 years ago

    This does not work

  21. superme Unregistered 5 years ago

    me too

  22. rikko338 Unregistered 5 years ago

    this doesn't work

  23. Roelovic Unregistered 4 years ago

    Try onley 11111
    and fil that in every box

  24. Case Technologies Unregistered 4 years ago

    a forum is a place to help people with things,, not to be rude. Please be more kind to people,, and help if you can...

  25. Suveer Unregistered 4 years ago

    uranus

  26. Lode Unregistered 4 years ago

    :-p i'ts e good game;-)

  27. manhut Unregistered 4 years ago

    helo is game

  28. Jhon Unregistered 4 years ago

    What do u think of it

  29. Nicolas Unregistered 4 years ago

    I have age of mythology.
    Our computer had a virous and I have lost my original registration number do you know how I can get another

  30. Laker Unregistered 4 years ago

    whoever Jan and maverick are
    THANX
    HAHA to all those people who dont
    THANX THANXTHANXTHANXTHANXTHANXTHANXTHANXTHANX
    THANXTHANXTHANXTHANXTHANXTHANX

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