Age of Empires 1997

Is it still worth playing?

Ensemble Studios' 1997 real time strategy game for Windows, directed by Bruce Shelley, set in the ancient world. You advance through four ages, Stone, Tool, Bronze and Iron, researched at the Town Center. There are 12 civilizations, four single player campaigns and a Scenario Builder, with random map generation and up to eight players. Four resources, food, wood, gold and stone, are each gathered in several ways and need buildings such as docks, storage depots and farms, and trees do not regrow. You win by military victory, holding a Wonder or holding relics. The slow pace gives time to plan, and resource logistics and building placement add a city planning element. Finite trees, four resources and buildings to place still turn each match into a city planning problem today.