The game that defined medieval real time strategy
For some the definitive real time strategy will always remain StarCraft, however, on the same level with it but coming in a totally different flavor, Age of Empires is just as great and has forever defined what the medieval strategy game should be. Age of Empires II had you being responsible for both the economic phase of the game as well as for the tactical phase, where you had to control your armies and to deploy them on the field of battle. Of course, the exact kind of make up for your army could differ, on one hand based on your style of play but also based on the resources you were able to harvest and the time you had until you were attacked or under siege. The single player portion allowed you to tackle games where you had to construct a lot but also offered you the possibility to hone your tactical instincts by providing scenarios where your only concern was the way your armies were arranged to fight. However, the core of the game was the skirmish, where you faced the AI combatants or the multiplayer games, where you could pit yourself against your friends. Each time Age of Empires II offered you the tools to win or lose, and it was all placed on your shoulders. The game still looks amazing and has retained its playability, so, for old times' sake make room in your schedule for this masterpiece!
