Age of Empires: The Rise of Rome

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Age of Empires: The Rise of Rome Developer(s) Ensemble Studios Publisher(s) Microsoft Game Studios Engine Genie Version 1.0a Platform(s) Microsoft Windows Release date October 31, 1998 Genre(s) Real-time strategy Mode(s) Single player, Multiplayer over IPX, TCP/IP, Modem or Microsoft Zone. Rating(s) ESRB - Teen (T) OFLC - G8+ Media CD (1) System requirements Pentium 90 MHz CPU, 16 MB RAM, 30 MB HD (plus 80 MB from AoE) Input methods Keyboard, mouse

Online play screenshot depicting several armored elephants, one of the new units added in this expansion.

Screen capture featuring the new architectural design which is used by the additional civilizations encompassed in the expansion pack. The scythe chariot, one of new units, can also be seen.

Age of Empires: The Rise of Rome Expansion (popularly abbreviated RoR) is a history-based real-time strategy Age of Empires. It is based on the rise of the Roman Empire, and adds the Roman Empire and three other playable civilizations to Age of Empires.

It features a new Roman architectural design, shared by all four new civilizations. Four new researchable technologies have been added, of which half provide significant bonuses, making quite a change on gameplay strategies. Additional new features include five new units and unit queuing.

[edit] New features

Few noteworthy changes were made to the gameplay, most notably the addition of the Roman architectural style. Other changes included adding larger maps and tweaking the interface; such as adding unit queuing, using the period key to cycle through idle villagers (v1.0a)^[1] , balancing damage done by catapults, and increasing the population limit.

[edit] Civilizations

• Carthaginian - bonuses in nautical and war elephant units
• Macedonian- bonuses in priest and missile resistance
• Palmyran - bonuses in economy and trade
• Romans - bonuses in infantry and construction

[edit] Wonder

The Roman architectural style introduces the Amphitheatre as a wonder. It is probably based on the Colosseum of Rome.

[edit] Units

• Armored Elephant - an upgrade of the War Elephant with blast damage effect
• Camel Rider - a new unit which is effective against cavalry
• Scythed Chariot - an upgrade of the war chariot which damages adjacent units
• Fire Galley - a new ship unit which applies fire damage
• Slinger - a new infantry unit which is effective against archers

[edit] Technologies

• Logistics - reduces the population count by half for all units created at the barracks
• Martyrdom - sacrifice priests to instantly convert units
• Medicine - increase priest healing rate
• Tower Shield - decrease damage received from missiles

[edit] Reception

The expansion was criticized by some fans as the new features were minimal, but on the whole it was well accepted. The most praised features were Rise of Rome's unit queue feature, and the improved all around gameplay and balance. Review website Gameworldnetwork gave the game a score of 93%, and commented that it seemed to be a whole new game.^[2]

To celebrate its release, several tournaments were held at Age of Empires Heaven, inviting players from around the world to test their skills in this new game.^[3]

[edit] Soundtrack

The track names given here are taken from the MIDI version of the music file.

1. Title Screen (1:08)
2. Win (0:24)
3. Loss (0:54)
4. Tango Alpha Bravo (3:13)
5. Polyester Jammy (2:19)
6. Hyman's Wrath (2:55)
7. Mix of the Great Books (2:54)
8. Mean (Ain't No Hip-Hop In Tha House Mix) (3:32)
9. Medieval Melody (3:08)
10. Rocky Roads (3:06)
11. Kitty's Song (3:23)
12. Fretless Salsa (2:44)
13. Bigelow's Bungalow (3:05)
14. Rise of Rome Credits (1:28)

[edit] References

[edit] See also

• Age of Empires (video game)
• Age of Empires Series

[edit] External links

• Official Microsoft site
• Official Ensemble Studios site
• Age of Empires IGZones
• Collection of Reviews of Age of Empires: The Rise of Rome
• Age of Empires1 and RoR Clan
• Age of Empires: The Rise of Rome at MobyGames
• Age of Empires Heaven