Rise & Fall: Civilizations at War

 PC
  • Publisher: Midway
  • Release Date: Jun 12, 2006
Metascore
64

Mixed or average reviews - based on 36 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 36
  2. Mixed: 26 out of 36
  3. Negative: 2 out of 36
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  1. PC Gamer UK
    91
    There's a reason I haven't said much yet about the RTS that sits serenely at the core of Rise & Fall. That reason is there really isn't much to say beyond it's good solid stuff with a strong whiff of Ensemble's best work. [July 2006, p.85]
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  2. PC Gamer
    90
    As of press time, several negative Rise and Fall reviews have cropped up online. Mine is the dissenting opinion; in my mind, this RTS' fun and innovative gameplay far outweighs its minor faults. [Sep 2006, p.57]
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  3. Total Video Games
    80
    A good enough looking title (if your PC can cope with all the gloss turned on), an intuitive HUD, and epic music all helps with the immersion. There are a couple of niggling glitches that could be improved over time through patches, Civilizations at War nonetheless remains a solid title, and one that non-RTS action heavy gamers should check out.
  5. PC Zone UK
    80
    Rise & Fall manages to bring some welcome action to a normally slower-paced genre, but it sometimes feels like this is at the expense of tactics.
  6. Digital Entertainment News
    80
    The movements of the characters are nigh hilarious and detract from a true serious experience. If you don't get hung up on that, you will probably have just a grand ole time.
  7. Pelit (Finland)
    79
    A game that had it all, great design, excellent graphics. All it lacked was time. [Aug 2006, p.36]
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  8. Game Chronicles
    78
    With the many varied objectives and the third person mode there is a nice change in gameplay that is quite refreshing from the usual kill all the enemies or get to a certain point on the map.
  9. Game Over Online
    75
    More could have been done with this game. A little more creativity, a lot more programming, and I believe they could have had something quite good on their hands.

Awards & Rankings

76
#76 Most Discussed PC Game of 2006
56
#56 Most Shared PC Game of 2006

User Reviews

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User Score
8.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 44 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 37 out of 44
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 44
  3. Negative: 1 out of 44
  1. JaydenPickens
    May 24, 2019
    9
    This game is a masterpiece. From creators of Empire Earth, we get another classic rts, but this time mixed with tpp hero fights. It's great.This game is a masterpiece. From creators of Empire Earth, we get another classic rts, but this time mixed with tpp hero fights. It's great. The only reason I'm not giving this a 10/10 is because the game has some bugs... some are serious. Like once my ship tried to ram down another ship and they both froze and couldn't move... had to restart the mission. In this game you get 2 campaigns... greek and egyptian. Both are amazing (egyptian is harder heh). You also get a lot of single maps and great multiplayer. Pick this game up if you haven't yet. Pickens approves!… Full Review »
  2. llamayarmybar
    Sep 15, 2013
    8
    Its actually solid, patch the game up to 1.15 beta and it proves that midway or perhaps ex-steel studios employees clearly wanted to attemptIts actually solid, patch the game up to 1.15 beta and it proves that midway or perhaps ex-steel studios employees clearly wanted to attempt to fix the initial release issues. In fact, with just how simple the economy system is, you get a lot of time to experiment with unit mixes, formations and literally leading massive armies against eachother. Its even thrilling at times, aside from the occasional glitches, the sound design is great. Hearing my Cavalry dash towards the unsuspecting group of Swordsmen is actually exciting, and the actual combat works as intended as well. Units do counter units, you can't just build archers and beat the A.I.- they'll get pummeled by everything else on the battlefield. The last minute, HEROES are not as obnoxious as some reviewers tend to make them out to be and really they get killed off quite easily so their not a constant. Its all about balancing your army and their have been moments where I've been locked in enormous stalemates with other players holding their own. Like a giant clash of hundreds of units all slowly killing eachother. At times its brilliantly designed and other times things just don't work. Its a pity steel studios is gone now, as this was their swansong and a nice mix between several of their old titles. Its really a very simple game with a solid combat system with a few niggling mechanics that just never worked. Still- it plays very well, the engine is pretty solid, the physics are great, and the whole thing makes you feel like you're really in a massive battle at all times.… Full Review »
  3. JediM.
    Apr 23, 2007
    10
    This is a really awesome game. It is well worth the $20 and the extra $300 I spent upgrading my computer to run it the best.
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