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RATING: (weak) 1 2 3 4 5 (awesome)
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IN BRIEF
Pros: The trustworthy Artificial Intelligence (AI) and more realistic challenges raise the standard for strategy games. Cons: Fuzzy graphics, out-of-focus picture. In a nutshell: An incredible, complex strategy game that allows you to apply your wits in your quest to become Emperor. Multiplayer: Up to eight via LAN and Internet *ESRB rating: Teen |
FACTS
Game Title: Fate of the Dragon Platform: PC Developer: Overmax Studios Publisher: EIDOS Interactive Accessories supported: Keyboard, mouse Price: $39.99 |
THE REVIEW by Thomas Oberheide for Gamers Today
The best settings for Real Time Strategy (RTS) games are eras and regions famous for strategic genius, ferocious battles, and impossible heroism. Romance of the Three Kingdoms, a historical novel claimed to be the most-read book second to the Bible, is about one such legendary era and the basis for Overmax Studios' newest RTS game, Fate of the Dragon (FOD).
During and after the fall of the Eastern Han Dynasty, chaos enveloped second century China. Eventually, three historical warlords established the northern Kingdom of Wei, the western Kingdom of Shu, and the southern Kingdom of Wu, controlled by Cao Cao, Liu Bei, and Sun Quan respectively. This era is known as the Three Kingdoms period.
In FOD you assume the responsibilities of one of these three Emperors, and through diplomacy, trade, and waging war attempt to unify and control all of China. Like other games of this genre, you build up your town with supplies, training centers, and warriors, and then embark on military objectives such as defending allies from rebellions or taking control of another city. All the while, keeping your emperor in safe hands.
Compared to other RTS games, the AI breaks the shackles of constantly attending to your laborers' efforts to build up supplies. While still giving them orders to chop wood, mine iron, grow corn, slaughter pigs, cook food, and build structures, you don't have to baby-sit them. For example, a farmer will continue to grow crops once ordered; there's no need to reissue the order after each crop is harvested. This allows you to devote your time to building armies in the swordsman's, pike man's, or archer's barracks. You can concentrate on diplomatic policies such as alignment, reinforcement, and alienation -- letting you strategize to outsmart your opponent in the battle to become the next Emperor of China. AI promotes you from the trigger-happy soldier condemned to clean the general's office to the mastermind general himself.
The user-friendly interface provides an aerial view from which you can direct laborers, mobilize and command armies, and engage in combat. Instead of cramming the battlefield onto one map like other RTS games, FOD has both a city and a regional map, allowing you to oversee in greater detail each city you enter and the region between them.
FOD's simplistic graphics are forgivable since it scores high points in other areas. For instance, the buildings in the classic Chinese style with upturned eaves have an appealing shape but lack awe-inspiring detail. All the features appear slightly out of focus and blocky.
Characters speak Chinese and let out agonizing groans when put to death. Stringed instruments provide dramatic and creepy background music, especially appropriate when losing a mission.
But losing has never been so fun. More than any comparable game out there, FOD lets you spend your time doing just what your supposed to, strategizing. And that is the point of a strategy game, right?
*For a complete explanation of ESRB ratings, check out the official ESRB Web site.
