"The best strategy game to come out this year...Big Huge Games has created a truly outstanding game."
 - Gamespot, May 2003
PC Gamer 93% - "Big Huge Games delivers a sensational strategy game and early Game of the Year contender. ... BOTTOM LINE: This Big Huge Game is a new high water mark in RTS gaming."
Games Domain 5/5 - "...it becomes apparent after just a few games that somehow this incredibly complicated, deep, and involved game dances and whirls with undeniable and unprecedented grace. Everything is interrelated and balanced. There isn't a single vanity feature or rule that begs removal. Rise of Nations is a triumph in streamlined, quality game design."
GameSpot 9.3 - "...what really sets Rise of Nations apart are all the new concepts it introduces--cities, attrition damage, commerce caps, caravans, rare resources, a broader and more distinct technology element, national borders, and more make the game deeper and in many ways more enjoyable than any other real-time strategy game to date. For years, real-time and turn-based strategy games sat at opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of their gameplay and audience; very few games have even tried to bridge the gap between them. But now, these two distinct styles of strategy have come together in the form of a truly excellent game."
GameSpy.com 90% - "...Rise of Nations has everything it takes to be a huge success: a historical setting, a big name publisher, an easy-and-effective multiplayer setup, and a highly tweaked version of a classic design model. Classic real-time gaming simply doesn't get much better than this."
Adrenaline Vault 4.5/5 - "Rise of Nations is a towering aggregation of everything that's good about strategy gaming. Framed upon an excellent tactical engine, a swathe of factions, technologies and historical ages, it all congeals into a solid block of fun. Moreover, the Civilization-esque complexities and novel turn-based strategy map add a depth that elevates Rise of Nations from the crowd. It's certainly as addictive as they come."
TechTV: X - play 5/5 - "At first glance, you'd think "Rise of Nations" is just another "Age of Empires" clone. But you'd be wrong... horribly, shamefully, stupendously wrong. ... In short, [Rise of Nations is] everything you could ask for in a real-time strategy game."
GameZone.com 9.5/10 - "Rise of Nations is awesome! There are no other words to describe it. The developers have created a fresh twist to this stale genre and players will enjoy it immensely."
Gamers Depot.com 5/6 - "If it’s been featured in an RTS, odds are it’s included and probably improved upon in Rise of Nations. Microsoft went to great lengths to include what works and keep out what doesn’t. RTS veterans will most likely eat this one up, and those new to the genre will really have an easy time getting into it with the Learn to Play tutorial mode. We definitely recommend this one to anyone who enjoys a good RTS and even those who are thinking of giving the genre a try."
Maxim Online 4/5 - "...but what truly sticks out about this real-time strategy game is that it never lets its engrossing depth create a dull moment. And, even more impressive, it makes you feel infinitely smarter than you really are."
WorthPlaying.com 9.3 - "Truth be told, Rise of Nations generally lives up to the hype it created for itself."
Firing Squad 88% - "If you’re the type of gamer who values the refinement of a tried-and-true concept, this is one of the best releases of 2003, thus far."
Thunderbolt Games Online 10/10 - "Quite simply put, this is the pinnacle of RTS excellence. I would be shocked and dismayed if any other RTS game released in the next two years, excluding a sequel to this one, was better than this. Seriously people, this is not only one of the best RTS games ever made, but quite possibly one of the best games ever made, period."
Computer and Video Games.com 90% - "VERDICT: One of the most original and playable RTSs ever."
GameFirst! 4/5 - "With the release of Rise of Nations it looks like leaders of the strategy genre are going to have to make room for a new player."
TELEFRAGGED 90% - "Battles in this game look tremendous; the vehicles look great, soldiers go through very dramatic deaths, and buildings crumble in a cloud of dust. When a nuke goes off, everyone in the game will know it..."
Gameplanet.com 5/5 - "Big Huge Games lives up to its name by delivering a huge gaming experience that is a must buy for all RTS fans. It's a stunning debut title that deserves all the accolades that are being heaped upon it - go and buy it NOW."
World Wide Game Net 95% - "The words 'standard game' are a faux ami here in Rise of Nations. What with national borders, city assimilation, and so many other new features, Rise of Nations definitely blows the winds of change in the world of real-time strategy games, and let's hope future games raise the sails and take the flow."
GameAxis 8.8/10 - "There's just so much depth, fun and variety so cleverly designed into Rise of Nations that it's nearly impossible to put down."
ELiTeD A+ - "Rise of Nations is definitely in the running for best RTS game of 2003, and it most definitely deserves our Editor's Choice Award. It is easy to pick up and learn, and the gameplay is everything you would want from it's genre plus some."
CNN - "Rise of Nations" is worth $50 for its deep-but-accessible game play and clever fusion of real-time and turn-based strategy game elements."
Armchair Empire 9/10 - "Thoroughly engaging and completely fun, any RTS gamer will be able to appreciate what the developers have achieved here."
PC Arena 4.5/5 - "...Rise Of Nations has Gameplay that rocks and beats out any recent RTS offerings and at a pace that you can be done in 90 minutes or less - all of which makes this an ideal game for almost any gamer."
Silicon Fusion 9/10 - "Rise Of Nations is a game of truly epic proportions."
Gamers.com 8/10 - "With a large selection of nations, game styles, and maps, it offers a lot of bang for your buck. All the new game concepts allow for varied styles of play and help keep the experience fresh in each game."
Games_Are_Fun.com 8/10 - "Overall, Rise of Nations is one of the best RTS games to hit the shelves in the past several years, and any fan of the genre should definitely have this as part of their collection."
Final-Level.com 4.5/5 - "For me, it is the subtleties, refinements and sheer choice offered by Rise of Nations that makes the game a top notch 'time filler."
LAN Addict 9/10 - "Great game play combined with amazing controls and an awesome interface make for one game that no gamer should overlook."
VideoGamesLife.com 92/100 - "Rise Of Nations is easily one of the best strategy games we've played in the past few years. Bags of fun and a brilliant multiplayer ensure it's status of a classic title."
Game Industry News 4.5/5 - "Rounded out with an exceptional tutorial, something missing from most games these days, Rise of Nations excels at letting strategy gamers do what they do best: plan and execute wars on their opponents."
Gameplasma.com 8/10 - "Rise of Nations has made a very important step in the progression of Real-Time and Turn-Based Strategy. If you liked Civilization III for its management factors and the Age series for the fast pace action, you will love this game."
The Gamers Temple 95% - "Rise of Nations is a well-designed, well-executed paragon of strategy gaming, although mouse-click maniacs may be disappointed that the game requires more thought than the typical RTS."
Computer Games 4+/5 - "If you are a fan of strategy games, you have reasons to be happy. Rise of Nations is a game which will surely leave a mark in the history of strategy games as one of the best and most complex titles of the genre."
GamerDad 5/5 - "The graphics are a stunning mix of well-animated units and gorgeous scenery and special effects. Everything from combat, construction, to the blast from a nuclear weapon, is painstakingly rendered."
PC Format 93% - "As deep as it is wide, Rise of Nations manages to cover the entire sweep of human history, emerging as one of the best strategy games ever made for the PC..."
Shacknews.com Exceptional - "This game is the first RTS game that has me totally hooked."
Eurogamer.net 9/10 - "Rise of Nations is one of the most impressive strategy games we've seen in years - and as you may have noticed, we've seen rather a lot of strategy games recently, so that's no idle compliment."
Netjak.com 9.3/10 - "The time has come for Age of Empires to move over and let Rise of Nations take over as proverbial king of the mountain. Pick this one up today; you won't be disappointed."
DailyGame 8.5/10 - "...Rise of Nations is a must-buy for the RTS fans and anyone ever interested in historical progression through the ages. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to get back to my Navy now."
Ferrago 90% - "...after only a few games of Big Huge Games' newest addition to the RTS Genre - Rise of Nations, I found myself totally and utterly hooked."
Stratos Group 4.4/5 - "Where other RTS games limit battle tactics to getting the right combination of counter units, Rise of Nations rewards coordinated strikes, envelopment and strategic feints."
Bella Online - "Highly recommended - it's a game that really shows how amazing strategy gaming can be!"
Gaming Illustrated 5/5 - "Rise of Nations is a substantial achievement in RTS games! It adds extra dimension to playability, and offers excellent value. If you like RTS – this is a MUST HAVE."
3D Avenue 92/100 - "...Rise Of Nations, a title that features all the strong elements of great RTS titles from the past, and new unique features yet to be seen. Combined, this makes for one hell of a good game, easily placing Rise Of Nations as the best RTS of 2003 so far, and certainly one of the best of all time. Simply put, you would be nuts to miss it, no PC gamer could call their game collection complete without RoN."
Maximum PC 10/10 - "Best real-time strategy game ever...the first real-time strategy game to absolutely enthrall us in quite a while."
Video Game City 9/10 - "...Big Huge Games managed to pull through to make on hell of an RTS.
Ace Gamez 9/10 - "Without a single doubt, Rise of Nations is the best RTS title of 2003 that I have played so far."
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