Rise of Nations: Rise of Legends (PC)

Time to build another entire civilisation.

Herald rating: * * *

I am leading my battered army through strange lands after a savage encounter with the forces of Cuotl. I'm far from home or an allied city and the enemy is close behind. Out of the blackness looms an oasis. Like magic, my units are revitalised by its healing powers. The enemy appears again, and it's all on.

Another twist of fate in this strategy-adventure game, which plays like Civilization and Age of Empires rolled into one.

Rise of Nations was Microsoft's debut in PC strategy games three years ago and it was impressive. As the name implied, it set the player up as a nation-builder and gave you all the tools with which to grow - war, trade and government. It was more graphic if not as epic as Civilization, the king of strategy games.

Graphics and game play physics have moved on since 2003 and this sequel takes full advantage of the fact. The maps look tremendous, especially on a fast computer with a high-resolution screen and you can zoom in on cities and mountains to show rich detail. The sound effects add that chivalrous, Middle Ages feel.

The game isn't just about conquering and exploring. The hero is Giacomo, who has to go on a dangerous mission when a mysterious object is dug out of a mine. The resulting chaos pits three civilisations against each other.

The Vincis base their technology on the strangely logical contraptions thought up by Leonardo Di Vinci. The Alin are Bedouin-type people who value sand over anything else. The Coutl hang out in the jungle and have strange powers.

This mix of technology, mythology and action may sound intriguing but I'm not sure it if works.

For all its technical gloss and earnest story-telling, there's something lacking in Rise of Legends. The world of Aio feels contrived. Maybe it's because strategy games have already offered up so many compelling fantasy worlds it's hard to stomach another without being critical.

Apart from that, Rise of Legends isn't a huge departure from the original. Still, PC gamers who love nothing more than to immerse in geopolitical fantasyland will be occupied for months with Rise of Legends.

$99