Considering the similarities in interface design between the DS’s stylus/touch screen combination and the PC’s mouse, it is strange that until recently we have seen few ports, or adaptations, travelling from the desktop to the handy, take anywhere, Nintendo console. Input in the DS version of the Age of Empires is mostly carried out with the stylus with some backup from buttons if desired. Unit and building information is displayed on the top screen when these things are selected. Battle info is also displayed on the upper display. The bottom screen is where much of the gameplay takes place.
The gameplay behind the DS version of Age of Kings has been simplified to allow for an experience more conducive to handheld gaming. Gone is the real-time aspect of its PC parent, with the new title’s gameplay instead becoming a turn-based affair. This works great for the DS. Get a phone call or some other distraction and you need not worry about all your hard empire building going to waste, especially if you’re mid-battle and for some reason you can’t find the pause button. As a result of this the gameplay takes on a more 'straight down the- line' strategy feel, more akin to chess than the real-time rush that can otherwise occur in the alternative.
The simplification of the PC game works extremely well on the DS.
There is a reasonable array of game styles to choose from in Age of Empires: Age of Kings. Campaign mode takes you through the conquests of many of the world's great leaders including Joan of Arc, Genghis Kahn, Richard the Lionheart and a couple more. All of these have an historical story attached to their campaigns. The narrative is told through a brief at the beginning of each level and not only is this told in an involving way, but also, on completing missions as the character you've chosen, you may feel the urge to look more deeply into their real-world stories. Each leader comes from a different civilization and therefore has their own personal style of play and strengths. Along with campaign mode there is also a mode which takes you straight into the action with user selected maps and civilisations.
A multitude of different units is available in the game. From men on horseback, to archers on foot, and even heroes, you will find that each of the individual groups of fighters have their own particular strengths and weaknesses. For example horse riding troops have a special ability called 'plains attack'. This skill on the battlefield gives them an advantage when fighting on flat ground. Against pikemen, who have an bonus against mounted attackers however, these fearsome warriors, atop their great steeds, lose this advantage and are in fact at a disadvantage. These special bonuses create the need for a great deal of strategy when choosing who to take into battle. Coupled with varied terrain, for example bridges, where only one set of units can meet their attackers at once, make for a game where the player must be constantly thinking what their enemy's next move will be. Along with the regular units each civilisation has troops specific to them. For example the Japanese have Samurai; these units also often have their own special skills.
Hero units are the characters which the campaigns are primarily based on. These historical personalities each have an individualized set of their own powers which can be executed, affecting the other troops around them. Some of these heal troops, some give them a bonus when attacking. Not only do the hero units have these extra powers, but they are also extremely skilled at melee combat and can cut swathes through the enemy's ranks before being brought down themselves.
The game is not only about troops, warfare and combat. You must also look at building up your towns and managing resources. Towns can contain quite a few buildings, but not an overwhelming amount. These range from stables and barracks-for producing troops- to markets which provide trade and the ability to hire mercenaries and also buildings which assist in the speed and production of goods. The resource management in Age of Kings is also relatively uncomplicated. There are two resources to worry about, being gold and wheat, both requiring little more than some exploration and building of farms and mines.
Build a blacksmith to be able to... well... build more things.
There is also an element of progression of your civilization in the game. Each turn you are able to choose a subject to research, which not only allows for some new strengths to be unlocked, but also allows for the unlocking of new unit types as you progress from one technological age to the next.
Although the interface works relatively well, there are times when the screen becomes a little cluttered. Too many troops in one place and the screen can become a crowded mess. Amidst the sea of both you and your enemy's units, it can become difficult to single out a specific target, each blurring into the next. Along with this it can become a challenge to select a unit once you've spotted it in this crowd, and unless your touchscreen's sensitivity and targeting is perfectly setup, you can spend some time just trying to pluck out the correct portion of you army to go into battle with. Thankfully this rarely occurs and when it does, rather than use the stylus to make your onscreen selections, you can switch to shoulder buttons to cycle through troops. This is not the perfect solution to the problem, but at least it's an option should you become absolutely frustrated.
Graphically, the game is great, especially considering the jump from the most visually powerful platform to one of the least. It’s simplified terrain, reminiscent of some of the early Civilization games. It not only makes it clear as to what sort of area you are occupying, but also looks pretty decent too. The best part of what's on display is the little animation that appears on the top screen, when you commit troops to battle, showing the units engaging each other in a fight and a score above them. There is a clear representation, both graphical and numerical, of what has gone on in the fight and how many troops you have both lost and killed as you both see them fall and their health points drop.
The sound has also been well developed. As you enter a battle, the clashing of sword upon sword can be heard corresponding to the small animation on the top screen. As simple as it sounds, these sort of little audio cues add greatly to the immersion the player feels. The music is solid, and although nothing particularly special, it does a good job of not getting in the way. Units also each have their own verbal call when selected, assisting you in recognizing the type and ethnic background of the one you have you have chosen.
The strategy element in the game requires you to think but isn;t over the top.
There are a variety of multiplayer options to get in to should you and your friends decide you want to become warring states for a short period. There is the classic, DS on DS battle, set on one of a series of user selected maps, which requires both player's to own a copy of the game. Should you have only a sole DS or game cartridge (there is no option for downloaded gameplay) you are still able to play on the same system by handing the DS back and forth after each turn is completed in 'Hot Seat Mode'.
Along with the multiplayer, there are a few things to unlock including specific units not related to any of the civilizations and some extra maps for use in non-campaign games. There is indeed quite a lot of content to be explored, especially for a DS game.
It can be a worrying prospect when a game is converted from either a console, or PC, to a handheld. There are streams of failures and below average products that have been the result of this process. Thankfully Age of Empires: Age of Kings is not on that list. An extremely good example of the fact that strategy games and PC ports can work on the DS, Age of Kings allows for both compelling single player gaming and some great two player action as well. Whilst it is not perfect it is indeed a very good game and deserves a look if you're wanting a game that takes advantage of the DS's individual qualities.
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