Page 43 - OSG Presents Classic Gamer Magazine #7

modern
modern

by
Mark Hoogland

xpansion players must primarily use counter-units neutralize a Titan. Still, in the hands of a
E p a c k s early in the game. Though this is not ex- skilled player, the Titan is a lethal force to
are notorious actly a disadvantage, it does require a be reckoned with, since it is, in essence, a
for providing reactionary style of play, depending on one-Titan army capable of decimating op-
minimal addi- what units the enemy is sending. How- posing troops, destroying buildings in sec-
tional content ever, the Turma – ranged horsemen espe- onds, and generally making life hell for the
at a premium cially good at countering archers – are opposing player.
price. Age of lethal multipurpose units equally suitable Subtler changes include myth units
Mythology: for defense or raiding. The resources re- that spawn at temples after each age ad-
The Titans quire for making Turma -- wood and gold - vance, new technologies, and several new
is a glorious - allow Atlantean players to horde their multiplayer maps. The overall effect has
e xception. precious food early in the game and been to greatly increase the nuances of
There's plenty quickly advance to the heroic age, where online play, which is always welcome.
of new con- a diverse complement of units awaits. However, there is also a brand new cam-
tent -- a whole new single-player cam- However, despite the diversity, Atlanteans paign with hours of new action. An army
paign, a new civilization (The Atlanteans) tend to be overm atched in late-heroic and of Atlanteans has been stranded, pursued
and adjusted gameplay for the original mythical age games, which necessitates by enemy gods, and forced to fight
three civilizations. Starcraft, AoM's three- building a Titan as quickly as possible. through Norse, Egyptian, and Greek ar-
civilization-predecessor, never attempted The addition of the powerful Titans, of mies as they struggle to free their forbid-
to add a fourth regime, with good reason: course, is the most obvious change to the den gods, the Titans.
the balancing necessary for three distinct game. Each civilization has a different Ti- AOM: The Titans is an excellent buy
civs is formidable. It's surprising that En- tan that can only be summoned in the for anyone who enjoyed the original Age
semble Studios was willing to undertake Mythic age after constructing an expen- of Mythology. The gameplay depth has
such a gargantuan task, and commend- sive and fragile "Titan Gate." In practice, increased, there's tons of new material for
able that they released such a polished the Titan is used much the way a Wonder all of the civilizations, and the new cam-
product. Age of Mythology fans will find is: to decide stalemates. And they are paign ensures plenty of action, even if the
that AoM: The Titans adds a new layer of very effective at doing this. A difference of superb online multiplayer community is
depth to an already superb game. two minutes between Titan build times is never explored.
The Atlantean civilization plays com- generally enough to decide a game, since
pletely differently from the original Greek, the first Titan can quickly destroy the sec- Rating:
Egyptian, and Norse civs. Atlantean villag- ond Titan Gate before the other Titan can
ers are much more efficient -- they don't emerge. And a Titan without another Titan
require drop points -- but they take up opposing him generally means game
more population slots and are more ex- over. The one exception is the neutralizing
pensive. The Atlantean military is unique power of the Egyptian priests, which can
as well -- like the Egyptians, Atlantean sometimes be massed quickly enough to

Classic Gamer Magazine July 2004 43