G4techTV 5/5 - "Thrones and Patriots marks a newfound maturity for the genre of real-time strategy. The battles in Rise of Nations still take center stage. They are fabulous. But it’s the added complexity and context garnered from these new campaigns that keeps us coming back for more."
GameSpot 9.0/10 Editor's Choice - "In the end, Thrones and Patriots is a definite must-have for fans of Rise of Nations; the new nations offer up interesting variety and gameplay styles, while the new campaigns introduce the narrative drive and focus that the original campaign lacked."
GameSpy 4/5 - "Thrones & Patriots proves once again why Big Huge Games is in the process of building an almost flawless reputation previously held by RTS stalwarts Blizzard and Ensemble. It's an extraordinary addition to an already extraordinary game -- one that fits so seamlessly into the original title that once you've played it's almost impossible to imagine a complete Rise of Nations experience without it."
Computer and Video Games.com 89% - "What makes the campaigns such a joy are the masses of scenarios they contain - some 130 in all. Practically every individual territory now has its own associated mission, giving each game a unique flavour."
Fragland 90.7% - "The new campaigns are by far the best surprises that will keep you clustered to your screen for hours and hours. The whole has become even more than before one hell of a game and a must for every RTS lover!"
Armchair Empire 9.0/10 - "In a true stroke of genius, there are also spy missions in this campaign. In them you receive a bunch of spies with specific targets to destroy. Successfully completing these missions will grant your side special bonuses."
Gaming Nexus 8.8/10 - "Thrones and Patriots is a worthy expansion for Rise of Nations, and a must-buy for fans of the series."
Games Domain 9/10 - "Real-time strategy gaming doesn't get any deeper than Brian Reynolds's remarkably elegant Rise of Nations. Released last year, the game encompasses the entirety of world history and makes it playable during a single lunch hour. Empires rise from humble beginnings to nuclear-capable superpowers, and rock-slingers become grunts carrying M-16s. Now, the aptly named developer, Big Huge Games, has added even more via its new expansion pack, without ruining the finely-tuned balance in the process."
Daytrum 5/5 - "As expansion packs go, Microsoft's Rise of Nations: Thrones and Patriots is a first rate addition that makes Rise of Nations, a fantastic strategy game, even better."
Gaming Illustrated 94% - "...this is a MUST HAVE game for 2004."
ZenGamer 9/10 - "The people at Big Huge Games made modest changes to the underlying game but focused on delivering more of the stuff that has earned Rise of Nations a permanent place on my hard drive."
Gamer Dad 4.5/5 - "...Thrones & Patriots makes the experience all the more rich and satisfying. It makes an elegant and complete game moreso, and a Big Huge Game bigger and huger.
GameOver 88% - "But what happens when you decide to release an expansion for a game that’s relatively flawless? Turns out you get...a solid foundation of accessible gameplay with a number of new features that helps to invigorate the entire gaming experience."
NetJak 9.5 - "Thrones and Patriots manages to double the immense amount of replay in the original Rise of Nations...."
Warcry Network 9.5/10 - "This game hits the nail right on the head. The first release was near perfection, and the expansion only makes it better. The biggest hurdle to overcome with Thrones and Patriots is the fact it is like a can of Pringles. Once you start playing, you just can't stop."
AVault 4/5 - "...all of the new groups [nations] are finely balanced to blend in smoothly with all of the existing favorites."
Macleans Canada 4 Stars - "An excellent addition to an already tremendous game."
EntDepot 8.5/Excellent - "Now, Thrones & Patriots takes the [RoN] formula, and while not fixing all the previous flaws, brings some much-needed diversity, as well as introducing some truly enjoyable campaigns."
Gamezilla Fans Only - "Rise of Nations: Thrones & Patriots is a welcome extension of Rise of Nations, a near-perfect mesh of the familiar oblique-overhead map 'real time' tactics and turn-based strategy."
Video Game NZ 88% - "Rise of Nations is already a great stand-alone game and Thrones and Patriots simply adds a whole bunch of new features that only add further layers to the gameplay."
IGN 8.9 - "The new campaigns and the new government system actually change (or at least reorient) the gameplay in some interesting ways, allowing gamers to shift the focus of their society and take on meaningful challenges that offer a stronger sense of direction."
GG Mania 80% - "There's no doubt the Thrones and Patriots will likely please fans of the original game with its boatload of new content and the 'government' gameplay feature."
GameZone 9.1 Editor's Choice - "Even after a year I still recommend that you purchase the original game, and really have to stress that if you want to get the full experience that you have to purchase this game, Rise of Nations: Thrones and Patriots. You will not regret this purchase, because it is one of the best RTS experiences you can find!"
Wham! 8.5 - "Rise of Nations: Thrones and Patriots is a great addition to one of the best RTS style games currently out there, and if you never got into the original, now would be the time to pick it up with the expansion – you won’t be disappointed."
iAfrica 8.5/10 - "The only problem with this game is that it can get a bit too addictive. It is war for war's sake, and gaming for gaming’s sake, and if you can live with that, you will not be disappointed."
Telefragged 92% - "I'm happy to say that this expansion pack elevates a challenging, engaging strategy game to a near-perfect level."
@MONiTOR.CA Worthwhile - "Thrones & Patriots may not be the most exciting expansion pack in history but it's hard to imagine what Big Huge Games could have done to stretch the Rise of Nations premise much further, without breaking it entirely."
GameSpot Asia 7.4/10 - "What makes the expansion worthwhile are the new single player campaigns that have been added."
>Gaming Media 91% Gold Medal - "[T&P's] WORST FEATURE - Just makes you want the next full RoN more"
CGW 4/5 Stars - "The review of Thrones & Patriots that originally appeared in Computer Gaming World's July print edition is now available online. "There's almost enough gameplay packed in here for a full-fledged sequel, so it's definitely worth the price of an expansion pack."
Game Axis 8.5/10 - "The number of campaigns in the game can qualify it as an entirely new game, a sequel perhaps, and it’s good value for money."
Daily Game on RoNTP 9/10 - "Empire building done right...Hang the Do Not Disturb sign; RON is complete."
Gamers with Jobs Fantastic! - "...this expansion would be easy enough to recommend just for the fantastic single player additions in the new Conquer the World scenarios, but it becomes a must have as it uncovers a new depth to gameplay without breaking perilous balance of the original."
GameSpot Australia 8.5/10 - "Fans of the original game should definitively give Thrones and Patriots a look; unlike many expansion packs it offers a solid amount of additional content that enhances the overall game without breaking anything in the process -- a rare feat indeed."
Australian IT 3.5/5 - "This expansion pack is a top effort that fans of the game will appreciate."
Alameda Times-Star 1/2 - "Thrones and Patriots' ... adds a huge amount of stuff to a staggeringly complex strategy game."
GameShark 4.5/5 - "Big Huge Games' expansion for its popular strategy title should be the future benchmark of what expansion packs are supposed to accomplish. Big Huge Games obviously focused on new features and campaigns, rather than building a 'patch you have to pay for.'"
UGO A- - "The new content that Big Huge Games has added in this expansion pack subtly adjusts how the game is played, and it works very well."
GameInformer 9 and 8.5k - "Deepening the strategic possibilities is key to making a strategy title more fun, and T&P goes the extra mile to make sure that it delivers a more engaging experience than is possible without the expansion installed." Reviewer Joe: "It seems that these days a RTS is harder to get into than a fistfight in a monastery...Last year’s Rise of Nations was an exception to that trend...'"
Web Wombat 80% - "All in all, a nicely put together expansion pack from the cyborg assembler drones at Microsoft Games which gives all you strategy fans several good reasons to continue playing Rise of Nations..."
Groovalicious Games 9.5 - "...adds something so important that the expansion becomes essential...you wouldn't dream of playing the original game anymore, you'd have to play with the expansion because it makes everything so much better."
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