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'Empires: Dawn of the Modern World' (PC) Review
written by Jonah Jackson on Friday, June 04, 2004

Platform: PC
Developer: Stainless Steel Studios
Publisher: Activision
ESRB rating: Teen
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Pros: Detailed and unique civilizations; multiple styles of play; well-balanced
Cons: Limited value in single-player


In the world of computer games, a few developers have achieved the notoriety of rock stars. Rick Goodman, of Stainless Steel Studios, is not one of them, though he's quite popular in real-time strategy circles thanks to his hit "Age of Empires." Now he's back with a new RTS, "Empires: Dawn of the Modern World." Join us on "X-Play" as we examine Goodman's affinity for all things imperial.

Pax Imperium
Unlike "Empire Earth," which covered a sprawling half-million years of human civilization, "Empires" focuses on the period of history between the early middle ages and the culmination of World War II. This narrowed focus creates a game world that's more realistic (no more archers fending off tanks) and more manageable. To accomplish this realism, the game's nine civilizations are separated into two distinct ages. In the first age you have access to the English, Chinese, Korean, or Frank tribes. Once World War I arrives, these civilizations are transitioned into one of five modern superpowers (United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France, and Russia). You advance through the ages solely by accumulating resources. Each civilization has different economic and military strengths that govern these transitions.

That diseased cow sure looks impressive
The environment in DotMW is a fully realized, 3-D world. The camera rotation and zoom scales are impressively wide, and the graphics withstand close-up inspection surprisingly well. Although it's of little use during the heat of battle -- especially during multiplayer games -- the close-ups reveal remarkable model detail, from overlapping armor pieces on your knights to battleship rivets. The designers have done an excellent job of creating distinct designs for each of the nine playable civilizations. You'll notice some slowdown in large battle sequences, but there are plenty of graphics options for tuning performance for your machine. "Empires" presents its varied land, sea, and air action with appropriate care and detail.

On to victory
"Empires" offers little in the way of a tutorial, but the first few single-player missions introduce you to the game's mechanics. The game assumes you're familiar with the basics of real-time strategy gameplay.
As in many recent RTS games, the single-player campaigns include more scripted events and fewer raise-and-raze scenarios. Scenarios within the campaigns have specific goals, such as building a particular structure or defending a key location.
Unique to the single-player campaigns are high-powered hero units led by historical figures such as Gen. Patton and King Richard I. Although these units would wreak havoc with game balance in skirmish mode, it's a shame Richard the Lionhearted can't lead your armies against human opponents.

The heart of the matter
Although you get a good overview of several civilizations and units, the single-player campaigns can't compare to the skirmish scenarios, especially in multiplayer. According to Goodman, DotMW was conceived as a multiplayer experience, and the depth of play shows that focus. Early civilizations have very different military styles, and it's a pleasure to explore the interplay of these styles. The Chinese, for example, encourage aggressive play with their large, mobile armies (including mobile barracks) while the Franks lean toward defensive and retributive powers.
DotMW was designed with two types of gamers in mind: aggressive players who like to jump right into combat, and more measured players who want to develop civilizations. The two multiplayer modes, action and empire builder, do a great job of embracing both types of gamers. Action skirmishes are short and to the point, rarely lasting more than an hour. Empire-oriented games focus on advancing through the ages and developing new technologies. You can adjust these modes to suit your interests by making resources less ubiquitous, by limiting population, and by restricting the skirmish to a particular age. There's also an online ranking system to match people of similar interest and skill.

Earned its place
"Empires: Dawn of the Modern World" is certainly the most mature and well-balanced of Goodman's titles, and it succeeds more often than not. Yes, there's stiff competition in the RTS arena, and "Empires" does little to distinguish itself from the pack at first glance. But if you take the time to delve into the minutiae, you'll find a unique and rewarding experience.