military and historical

I can still remember when I played the original AGE OF EMPIRES, wondering to myself if they would be able to make the same general strategy game using modern weaponry. As I loved the original AE, I held out hope that they would someday be able to pull it off.

Well, there is no reason to wonder anymore: our friends at SIERRA have done it. EMPIRE EARTH and its expansion set (both included in EE GOLD) takes us all the way from the dawn of mankind up thru the modern age and even into the future with spaceship and robotic battles and the like.

For myself, the most satisfying component of the game is being able to play with modern-day weapons. Build tanks, artillery and various troops for huge land battles. Build air-forces with fighters and bombers. Build navies with submarines, aircraft carriers, battleships and frigates.

Your civilians form the backbone of your military apparatus as they're the ones who collect the necessary resources (i.e.: wood, food, gold, stone, iron, etc) for your campaigns. You're the one in charge; how you utilize your resources is up to you. If you fail, you're the one who is accountable. If you are victorious, you're the one who deserves all the accolades and glory!

The most remarkable thing about the game for me is its symmetry. There is no one single "unstoppable" weapon in your arsenal. The most powerful weapon is the B-52, with which you can nuke your enemies. However, you had better protect it with great care; send it by itself on long-range bombing sorties and it's sure to be shot down by enemy fighters, anti-aircraft batteries or soldiers with STINGER missiles.

You may create TRIDENT submarines with powerful cruise missiles that can strike targets deep inland. However, these submarines are also the easiest for your enemies to sink: protect them at all costs!

Apache helicopters are devastating against tanks and other land targets, but are highly vulnerable to STINGERS and are downright helpless against enemy jet fighters. Jet fighters are susceptible to the fierce fire of anti-aircraft batteries. However, anti-aircraft batteries are hapless against tanks. All units have their strong points, and all units have their weaknesses, be they ground, sea or air.

If you like strategy games, I cannot recommend EE enough. If you like building armies, blowing stuff up and upgrading the prowess of your military, this is certainly the game for you. Just beware: it's about the most addictive game you will ever play!

Well I just beat two computer players on the hard setting for the first time. Of course, it took 7 1/2 hours and about 10 nuke bombers.

Bought the game 2 months ago for $29 + tax at Wal-Mart. Amazon is a better buy.

About the game:
1) great graphics and sound. I run a 2.53 GHZ Dell with 64 meg video NVIDIA card and 256 meg ram. Game runs great.
2) Awesome gameplay. I tired of beating the comp on Age of Empires Conqueors so I bought this and am not sorry. As noted in 1, the graphics are much better than AOE II. However, the graphics are similar to Age of Mythology.
3) Lots of weapons to choose from. Keep the production up and you will win.
4) Hope this review helped. Can't wait to get home and play the Expansion pack today.

It is a really fun game and I enjoy it a lot. The campaigns are very detailed and lengthy. The only reason I gave it 4 stars is that it is verrrrry complex and might be hard to get the hang of!