Zeus: Master of Olympus

 PC
Metascore
87

Generally favorable reviews - based on 23 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 23
  3. Negative: 0 out of 23
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  1. Daily Radar
    100
    The city-building series has been popular before, but we think Zeus has the potential to blow this series up big-time.
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  2. Da Gameboyz
    95
    Zeus is a different city builder game because it is not restricted to just that. It is also a game of wits and diplomacy, as well a game of survival in the struggle for power.
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  3. GameZone
    93
    Its total package is made up of great game play, great graphics, great sound . . . just an overall great experience.
  5. Gaming Age
    91
    Despite my inability to pin down what really makes this title so special, it is easy to say that it is exactly this reason that I feel that it has actually one-upped the respected Pharaoh.
  6. IGN
    91
    In depth campaigns and three open-ended sandbox modes give you all the game you could ever want.
  7. Antagonist
    91
    The game is extremely well designed, has lots of innovation, has replayability galore, and is loads of fun to play.
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  8. CNET Gamecenter
    90
    Shorter scenarios, smarter AI, and extensive military features make the game much more fun and intriguing, and the mythology aspects add a whole new dynamic.
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  9. Game Over Online
    90
    Quite easy to learn, but incredibly difficult to master. Perhaps it's just me who needs to do a little adjusting, but I think newcomers to the city-building games are going to be in for a rough time.
  10. Adrenaline Vault
    90
    Apart from striking the perfect balance between historical fact and romanticized fiction, they've managed to capture the essence of what makes the city building series fun and turn it into a game that feels almost wholly different from "Caesar III "and "Pharaoh."
  11. Eurogamer
    90
    If you are looking for a festive thinker to play in between consuming copious amounts of booze, this will be ideal, although I wouldn't recommend playing it with a hangover. A thoroughly addictive, engrossing game that ranks among my top five for this year.
  12. GamerWeb PC
    90
    A well oiled machine (not unlike Kirk Douglas in "Spartacus") that needs no fine tuning. While the pacing is a bit slow (even with the game going at top speed), the gameplay is nevertheless addicting.
  13. ActionTrip
    89
    The game dynamics are the best improvement in the game. Structures are being built faster, and require fewer resources.
  14. Games Radar
    88
    If you're new to the series or a Greek aficionado then this is an excellent place to start, but if you stopped playing one of the earlier games after a few levels there's nothing that'll inspire you to play any more of this one.
  15. GameSpot
    86
    Zeus plays like a best-of-all-worlds combination of some of the greatest strategy games ever.
  16. TotalGames.net
    84
    It’s to the developer’s credit that this does not feel at all like "Pharaoh" with a Greek touch, but has its own feel and style to it.
  17. Gamers' Temple
    82
    If you loved "Caesar" and "Pharaoh," you'll probably really like Zeus. You'll probably enjoy the game also if you enjoy the challenge of building a city and an economy to run it, provided you have the patience to wait for your efforts to bear fruit.
  18. GamePro
    80
    It delivers more great city building action with enough twists on the genre to keep fans playing for hours on end.
  19. Computer Games Magazine
    80
    Its faster pace, simpler city design, and mythological elements open the game to more casual players, but it retains enough depth to entertain long-time fans and adds the broader world-view they have requested for years. In other words, it's fun!
  20. Happy Puppy
    80
    Though city-building strategy is a niche genre that has never been my favorite, it's fair to say that ZMO is the most fun I've had in quite a while.
  21. Evil Avatar
    80
    I must say that I have been pleasantly surprised with how well polished a game this is.
  22. Game Revolution
    75
    Certainly engrossing, but it's just not quite fun enough.
  23. Electric Playground
    70
    The real fun begins when monsters begin to show up and you must fulfill the requirements for recruiting a Hero that will bash its head in before too many people get gobbled up by the wandering nasty.
  24. PC Gamer
    68
    More ambitious than its predecessors, but ultimately less balanced. [Jan 2001, p.148]
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Awards & Rankings

18
#18 Best PC Game of 2000
31
#31 Most Discussed PC Game of 2000
25
#25 Most Shared PC Game of 2000

User Reviews

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User Score
8.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 96 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 84 out of 96
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 96
  3. Negative: 4 out of 96
  1. Ekaton
    Jul 28, 2012
    10
    Can't tell how many hours I've spent playing it since it's release, would probably go for thousands, anyway, this is one of my personalCan't tell how many hours I've spent playing it since it's release, would probably go for thousands, anyway, this is one of my personal favorites of all time!… Full Review »
  2. not_good
    Dec 5, 2010
    9
    I don't even know what to say; this is one the the greatest games ever made. Years of city building developing experience went into this, andI don't even know what to say; this is one the the greatest games ever made. Years of city building developing experience went into this, and it shows. Truly an opus from an era that should have never ended. Don't forget to grab the expansion if you can find it, hopefully GoG will pick this up soon enough.… Full Review »
  3. SteveB.
    Feb 19, 2006
    9
    This is a very good program in ALL areas except for the warfare between city states.
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