Zeus: Master of Olympus

 PC
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
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  1. SteveB.
    Feb 19, 2006
    9
    This is a very good program in ALL areas except for the warfare between city states.
  2. StevenG.
    Nov 29, 2003
    10
    This game is, by far, one of the best city building games on the market. It's not just building a city, but overcoming great obstacles in your way and dominating the entire Greek world. There are many things that can be learned from playing this game, such as diplomacy and responsibility. Overall a great game and a learning experience.
  3. 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, 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.
  4. 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 personal favorites of all time!
  5. RayhaanS
    Jun 23, 2009
    10
    One of the best games I've played. Its better than age of empires, sin city and other similar games. This is highly recommended to anyone who enjoys city building or strategy games. I've been playing this game since 2004 and it never gets old.
  6. MadclownJack
    Apr 30, 2013
    9
    Good god, they sure don't make them like they used to. It's been 12 years since i first played this game and i gotta say it has aged well. A must play for city-sim fanatics, casual gamers and everyone in between. Google for widescreen mods.
  7. BigTimeOwen
    Mar 23, 2013
    9
    Zeus is by far one of the best city-builder and resource management games of all time. It baffles me that this game really hasn't had a bigger effect on modern games of the same genre. Ironically, though, the "full simulation" aspect of EA/Maxis' new Glassbox Engine does seem to emulate some of the same features. For instance, in Zeus you build a fountain to distribute water to householdsZeus is by far one of the best city-builder and resource management games of all time. It baffles me that this game really hasn't had a bigger effect on modern games of the same genre. Ironically, though, the "full simulation" aspect of EA/Maxis' new Glassbox Engine does seem to emulate some of the same features. For instance, in Zeus you build a fountain to distribute water to households via water carriers. In SimCity you build a power plant and agents go out from the power plant to bring power to households. That's not to say SimCity is a copy of Zeus; it certainly isn't, but it is funny to point out that the grand "full-simulation" functionality that was supposed to make SimCity so much better than it's predecessors is actually lifted from a game 13 years prior---and I'd say Zeus is actually on roughly the same scale in terms of map size.

    Not to mention, Zeus (and Poseidon, for that matter) has a surprising amount of depth and each city you build may require a different strategy for maintaining a positive income and expanding your city to achieve your objectives which include a variety of cultural, military, mythological and economic goals. If you aren't interested in following orders from the gods, the game even provides a sandbox mode, too. My only complaints about this game are some minor flaws due to its age. First, while there are mods out there to add more screen resolution options, the game itself doesn't include widescreen functionality. Secondly, there is no ability to zoom in or out of the map which takes some getting used to. Of course, if you're interested in city-building games at all and perhaps even tycoon games, I say give this game a try.    … Expand
  8. maskedman
    Nov 8, 2013
    10
    Very fun game, addictive and rich with all of its possibilities. The graphics, even though outdated, are charming and colorful making the game pleasant to play along with the Greek styled soundtrack. Might not be as complex as all other RTS games on the market, but for a 13 year old game it's simple nature makes it a gem to play
  9. daedalus_
    Aug 7, 2018
    10
    best city building game, even in today's terms it would be hard or impossible to find a better one
  10. SilverOrlov
    Jul 22, 2023
    8
    Played as a child. Then before the university, when there was free time. Now I decided to buy it in Steam and to ply the third time. To build some ancient cities, to meet some cool gods. In fact, for its time, it was a great city-building game. I liked, literally, everything except the military part - it is primitive and crooked here. It was necessary either to do it normally, or to throwPlayed as a child. Then before the university, when there was free time. Now I decided to buy it in Steam and to ply the third time. To build some ancient cities, to meet some cool gods. In fact, for its time, it was a great city-building game. I liked, literally, everything except the military part - it is primitive and crooked here. It was necessary either to do it normally, or to throw it away and make the whole game just about construction and trading. If you have never played this game before, you missed a lot in your childhood :)… Expand
  11. NeyroVOL
    Jan 9, 2021
    10
    Best economic strategy! Many hours of my life was in that game:) Not fast, but very interesting game.
  12. storygamer
    Sep 24, 2020
    9
    Oh yeah, this one is an all time favorite! If you mix SimCity with greek mythology and awsome gameplay, you get Zeus: Master Of Olympus! The mechanics are simple but clever, sound and graphics are beautiful and you get an overall great experience. A must play for strategy and building genre fans!
  13. dr-kenobi
    Sep 7, 2022
    7
    Старий добрий Фараон тільки в класичній Греції. Кращий візуал, однак деякі підходи лишись більш відточеними таки у Фараоні.

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

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
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
  1. 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.
  2. GameZone
    93
    Its total package is made up of great game play, great graphics, great sound . . . just an overall great experience.
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  3. GameSpot
    86
    Zeus plays like a best-of-all-worlds combination of some of the greatest strategy games ever.
    Read full review
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