Rise of Nations

 PC
User Score
8.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 396 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 335 out of 396
  2. Mixed: 53 out of 396
  3. Negative: 8 out of 396
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  1. Harthik69
    Jul 9, 2023
    8
    Very Good game. Can spend some time to play and exeprience it again. Download and give it a try again in future
  2. HydrophobikFish
    Jun 9, 2023
    7
    A strong RTS entry in the vein of AoE or AoM, but with a niche of modern day development. It does a great job introducing increasingly modern units and having them feel like distinct improvements. Unique wonders and tech levels also add to the equation. A lot of fun and worth your time, but not much faction diversity to speak of.
  3. Babutto
    Apr 2, 2023
    7
    For old pals.

    Pros.:
    - Mix of Civilization and Age of Empires.
    - Can play multiplayer.
    - No bugs.
    - Some lags if played multiplayer but still fine.
    - Dynamic.
    - Easy to learn.

    Cons.:
    - Super outdated.
    - Need particular vibe to play it.
  4. Izoeros
    Jun 28, 2022
    6
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  5. priyodit
    Jun 18, 2021
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Rise of Nations has nothing original, and the game is mediocre. Let me explain why this is particularly true in the case of Toughest difficulty level.
    All the good games have the ability that the players can bounce back and still try to win. Case in point- football, hockey, chess, Age of Empires, etc. Here, in this game, the area of nation is the factor on which collection of resources depend. Hence, if you lose a battle, the economy suffers so tremendously that you can not bounce back from it.

    The rules of the game was designed so that machines could play it, not humans. For example:
    - the concept itself is stolen from age of empires, but they forgot to copy the thought process.

    - the jungles, and all resources can be gathered for infinite time. why is this bad? because at times, due to unending resources, both the sides keep on making military and war goes on for hours at stretch.

    - the armies have a concept of anti - units strongly put in the game. so if you are not making the anti units, whatever be your army size, it will be nullified. imagine this. in a war, a musketeer is reporting to you- "so what captain that we are 100 in number. they have 30 heavy knights, and we do not know how to fire guns just because we are not the anti units of heavy knights!". musketeers are weak against knights, but they are made so weak that the army of such gunmen would fall flat against much lesser knights.

    - the toughest is not the smartest but it is sadist's way of making people go crazy. your resource gathering rate is slowed down, but computer keeps on collecting resources at same pace. if the authors of this games were not sadists, they would have given computer some finite advantage, and then we would see what good is their algo.

    - you can only build inside your national territory: why? because whim!

    -. You can build cities at least X distance away from each other- why? whim!

    - the characters are so small they can hardly be selected with mouse, and while computer can choose them with instructions.

    - the buildings are huge! so if you zoom in for the characters, the buildings become large.

    - if you lose the territory, you lose the city, you suffer economically because even if you are not gathering any resource in the city, your area reduces, and this reduces the gathering of gold etc. so there is not only a single loss but loss on multiple front. Also, the gain of oppressor is huge. so bouncing back is extremely unlikely. hence the game becomes lopsided, and frustrating.

    - there is no strategy in terms of calculable amount of resource required to build a building or military. The prices are dynamic. so if you can not compute how much food or wood would you need to make army how would you make army? the computer has advantage here as well.

    - if you have put the foundation of building, and the area even slightly reduces there because enemy's area increased, and the foundation of your building is even slightly in the enemy territory, the building gets cancelled.

    - the automation of citizens is pathetic. they either stand still but will not work when there are enough slots empty for jungles, metals or farms. sometimes, when you want them to stay when a building is under attack, they will move away to work!

    - the automation of army is pathetic. they engage on their own with whoever they feel like, rather than choosing who they are strong with.    … Expand
  6. elefsar
    Apr 22, 2021
    9
    Wonderful game play, challanging with friends and good view for history. Good mechanics.
  7. experiman
    Dec 26, 2020
    10
    one of the best strategy game ever. Rise of nations > Age of empire ......
  8. Mazma
    Dec 25, 2020
    8
    Molto molto vicino ad Empire Earth 2, rinfrescano cio' che AOE ha portato nel mondo videoludico.
  9. ElleryHQ
    Dec 20, 2020
    9
    Одна из самых любимый стратегий. Кому нужен варкрафт, когда есть этот шедевр?
  10. permafrost
    Dec 7, 2020
    0
    Possibly the best RTS ever made.

    Reaction from Microsoft for a sequel: Crickets
  11. ErayTellezi
    Nov 18, 2020
    8
    Zamanının age of'larından teknolojinin epey gelişmesiyle ayrılan, buna karşın ırklar arası farklılığın neredeyse hiç bulunmadığı oyun.
  12. Wiebe
    Feb 26, 2020
    8
    The mix of the strategic map and RTS was excellent. RTS elements where good. But the games gets a bit repetitive after a while.
  13. Genek13
    Nov 21, 2019
    8
    Remember played this game back in 2003. So many hours, days and nights :)
    Comparing to Empire Earth this game was awesome.
    Not a masterpiece of course, but very good game.
  14. Mehdii
    Nov 8, 2019
    10
    The best in strategic games, and i love it so much, I recommended for all of you.
  15. SakuraFox_
    Aug 29, 2019
    9
    As a kid growing up in the golden age of RTS-games, I spent all my free hours from the moment I laid my hands on this gem of a game. Years later, I see that it aged well and still like to revive those memories from time to time. Here's why:

    Now that I'm 20, I have branched in all game-types and getting more experience(d) with a bigger count of hours and games. But I'd like to make an    As a kid growing up in the golden age of RTS-games, I spent all my free hours from the moment I laid my hands on this gem of a game. Years later, I see that it aged well and still like to revive those memories from time to time. Here's why:

    Now that I'm 20, I have branched in all game-types and getting more experience(d) with a bigger count of hours and games. But I'd like to make an quick look-back at the game:

    1) Everyone powerful
    Civilization 5 is viewed as one of the - maybe even the °1 - best age-processing game of all time. But even though civ6 build on all the most-liked features of civ4 and 5, it got big waves of critique for mainly 2 reasons: The more cartoonish approach to the artstyle and pretty much everything got a big nerf. No more overly powerful nations and "features" that could break the whole gameplay (except a few that were swiftly fixed with some patches.)
    Rise of the nations of course launched way before 5 and 6; but when playing those, I realized a big feature of rise of the nations: Instead of all nations only having a small nation-specific advantage, every nation had a original advantage that they could use/exploit to the range they want. But if every single player has an equally big advantage, it isn't an advantage anymore. It just makes the game more interesting with way more paths to follow.

    2) up-to-date fanbase
    Even though you can't find that much on the ubisoft site about Rise of Nations, it still has a strong player base. Not as much as AoE does, but for a less popular, 16 year old game, still being relevant a hard task. S/o to the facebookgroup "Rise of Nations / T%P and EE"

    3) Options
    Even though most generic games roughly follow the same pathway, every game has an new touch and opportunity to learn. There isn't a perfect strategy, only a few who come close all with their own flaws. But the options give you enough points to path your way to victory.

    4) Artstyle
    I like the artstyle. Realistic approach but without taking it to far away from pixel-art. But this is just personal :s

    I personally love this game, but I would give it a 10 if it had these things:
    1) bigger mod-community: Difficult for a game like this, but the "big" mods of back in the days are also a bit underwhelming.

    2) more ubisoft support.

    3) more micro-upgrades. There are a lot, but I just really love them :p    … Expand
  16. Vanco
    Jun 4, 2019
    5
    RTS that allows you to follow your civilization from the stone age to the future. Relies on territorial mechanics, unlike many other RTS of the period. Never had as much fun with it compared to Empire Earth though.
  17. Ydun79
    Feb 11, 2019
    9
    Not only an excellent singleplayer game but also well worth it in coop multiplayer. Great fun!
  18. iddqd4
    Feb 11, 2018
    8
    Попытка совместить стратегию в реальном времени с элементами пошаговой стратегии типа Цивилизации, вполне удачная попытка.
  19. Pamuditha007
    Aug 3, 2016
    10
    It's a masterpiece of a game. Amazing graphics for a strategy game, at the time and no doubt everyone who played it enjoyed it a lot. I really wish there would be a re-build for this amazing game !
  20. theirrelephants
    May 15, 2016
    10
    Probably THE best Age of Empires descendant I've ever played in my life.

    I still play it to this day, and it came out 13 years ago. Do I really need to say more?
  21. chitbazik
    May 16, 2015
    0
    Russian language. Нет поддержки русского языка, а очень много Россиян играют в игру, очень обидно и не удобно из-за этого играть. Если ставить сторонний русификатор, то проблемы с сетевой игрой, что так же портит наслаждение от игры!!!Russian language. Нет поддержки русского языка, а очень много Россиян играют в игру, очень обидно и не удобно из-за этого играть. Если ставить сторонний русификатор, то проблемы с сетевой игрой, что так же портит наслаждение от игры!!!
  22. explodr
    Dec 22, 2014
    9
    Great graphics for the time period, engaging gameplay, and great fun to play with family and friends. If you're a fan of the Age of Empires series, Rise of Nations is definitely worth checking out.
  23. Divyanshu
    Oct 27, 2014
    10
    Guys if you love this game , then please sign this petition

    https://www.change.org/p/microsoft-studios-big-huge-games-brian-reynolds-rebuild-rise-of-nations-for-next-gen-pc
  24. dreadnought
    Sep 9, 2014
    10
    An excellent mix of Ao2 and Civ ideas.
    Very fresh and strong mechanics
    AI is smart and difficult (however does cheat on higher levels)
    Balance is excellent
    Not the best sound-design
    Empire borders are very interesting and dynamic
  25. Castas
    Jun 19, 2014
    10
    There are no words to express the utter joy felt when I saw this on Steam. This RTS is said to be the love child of Age of Empires and Civilization. Truly, it's a masterpiece of it's own. It has go to be the best RTS out there. Go out and buy it already, damn it!
  26. zigzak
    Jun 7, 2014
    10
    Best RTS game ever made! Thanks Steam for bringing it back! Great variety of nations, game style.. One of my favourite games of all time. Multiplayer games are superb!
  27. Nathyron
    Jun 3, 2014
    9
    I've been playing RTS games since 1999 and i can assure this game is one of the best ever created. Of course it is not as massive or competitive as the Star-craft games but that's because people didn't give him the chance. The game is a mix between Age of Empires and Civilization sagas. Play is complex and provides lots of options while playing (diplomatic management, build orders,I've been playing RTS games since 1999 and i can assure this game is one of the best ever created. Of course it is not as massive or competitive as the Star-craft games but that's because people didn't give him the chance. The game is a mix between Age of Empires and Civilization sagas. Play is complex and provides lots of options while playing (diplomatic management, build orders, openings, and a good amount of units). As long as you like RTS games, this one is well worth to buy giving you massive hours of fun… Expand
  28. deviantstudio
    Mar 12, 2014
    10
    Amazingly fantastic game. I'm not one of those people who give things they hate a 0 and things they like a 10 just to raise the score, i give honest reviews. beautiful RTS graphics, real strategy, excellent multiplayer, and an interesting world map mode......it has key elements from civ that make it fun with classic RTS factors too...definitely the RTS of the year. MY only complaints areAmazingly fantastic game. I'm not one of those people who give things they hate a 0 and things they like a 10 just to raise the score, i give honest reviews. beautiful RTS graphics, real strategy, excellent multiplayer, and an interesting world map mode......it has key elements from civ that make it fun with classic RTS factors too...definitely the RTS of the year. MY only complaints are even though the civilizations have distinct bonuses and special units and look different with i think 4 different unit and building sets.....they all still play al little bit too much the same, with maybe the exception of the chinese who get instant citizens. but mostly its just trade bonuses, faster tanks, etc......you will notice these and they are game factors, but i tend to like warcraft3 style a bit more with totally different civs. I think each civ could have a real radical ability(some already do). but check out the upcoming expansion, adding 6 races and some campaigns too. this is a excellent game with great graphics, sound, and gameplay. i hope RTS's will continue to innovate like this.… Expand
  29. jld89
    Feb 5, 2014
    10
    I personally think this game is one of the RTS genre masterpieces of all time. It is the game where most features of past RTS's (pre 2003) where assembled and refined to the finest detail. This game is great, combat, resource gathering and diplomacy are all complex yet intuitive, achieving a balance that is unheard of.

    Starcraft 1 is good, but I prefer this game by far, Starcraft is    I personally think this game is one of the RTS genre masterpieces of all time. It is the game where most features of past RTS's (pre 2003) where assembled and refined to the finest detail. This game is great, combat, resource gathering and diplomacy are all complex yet intuitive, achieving a balance that is unheard of.

    Starcraft 1 is good, but I prefer this game by far, Starcraft is somehow limited, as well as AOE or Warcraft. The campaigns in this game are complex and challenging and very rewarding as well. I play this game almost everyday on multiplayer (look for Vugi's patch). I highly highly recommend this game for all RTS fans, and get it with the expansion!    … Expand
  30. aleksassta
    Jan 20, 2014
    10
    This game is awesome! .
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Awards & Rankings

7
#7 Best PC Game of 2003
23
#23 Most Discussed PC Game of 2003
15
#15 Most Shared PC Game of 2003

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
89

Generally favorable reviews - based on 30 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 30 out of 30
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 30
  3. Negative: 0 out of 30
  1. FiringSquad
    88
    There is a lot to be said for the city-centric game design, the intricate unit balancing, the smart AI, and the catchy, quickie action, although there isn’t anything here to make the jaded sit up and shout.
    Read full review
  2. GMR Magazine
    80
    Playing Rise of Nations won't make your jaw drop in amazement, but you'll probably still have lots of fun as long as you like RTS games. [Aug 2003, p.74]
  3. Armchair Empire
    90
    The second, more significant disappoint that RON inflicts upon the gamer is the mind numbing singularity of the conquest battles. As much as I love toasting the opposition into roasted marshmallow oblivion, doing so 22 times in a row gets a little old.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »