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This is the Games Review Section. Here you will find information about PC games and more. However, not all games will be reviewed. If you are stuck in a particular stage/level in a video game, please email me and I'll try to help you. However, it also depends on the game, because I have not played nor mastered every game.

-Rise of Nations- (aka RON)

About RON

• Microsoft
• Release Date: May 2003
• Type of game: Real-Time Strategy
• Max. Players: 8
• Online-play: Yes
• Game of the Year for 2003

Tired of the old Real-time strategy games such as Empire Earth? Well, Rise of Nations is the "rise" of new and better Real-time strategy games! Rise of Nations is a very deep Real-time strategy game. With civilizations including from the Chinese to the British, this awesome strategy game is worth an hour and a half of fantastic gameplay.

From the Ancient age to the Information age, this game provides accurate history for each civilization. This gameplay requires strategy, cooperation(if cooperating with an ally), power, and knowledge. Each civilization has its advantage as well as its weakness, plus it's specialty. Command over 220 different units including spearmen, highlanders, tanks, airplanes, and the most devasting weapon, the ICBM. Neogotiate or war out at sea, land, or even in the air. With interesting technologies and weapons, it'll make the game more fun and challenging.

Rise of Nations includes borders and territories and you must build on your half of your territory. Building on someone elses' territory is prohibited. If your building is built before the territorial borders are changed, then whatever building you have on the enemy's territory will slowly burn and be destroyed. Certainly, you may build on your allies territories with exception. Basically there are different types of gameplay in Rise of Nations.

If you want to try new types or forms of gameplay, there's always different ones, such as "Conquer the World Campaign", which is similar to "Risk". There's also a mini RON challenge, and different types of mini games. Of course, playing multiplayer is always more fun, than single play. The online gameplay is supported by GameSpy and is open 24/7. There you could invite your friends for a game.

You start off with a Capital city, and there you could build up your economy or quickly build your army. It really depends on what type of person you are, defensive, offensive, economical, or another. The most important part of the game is your stock supply. Remember that without a large amount of food sources, etc, you will not be able to create new units and soon your economy will collaspe. If you don't like attacking players and you like waiting, you're defensive. That's no big deal, but remember watch towers and castles make your territory stronger. Build a few towers and castles/forts surrounding your capital city. Then create seige next to your capital city. When in danger, ring the bell, which causes civilians to go in, which therefore shoots arrows out at enemies. Another important and recommended tip is to research all the technologies at the tower. (ex. nationalism) These techologies cause enemy units in your territory to lose strength. This makes it expecially hard against newbies. Remember more attack buildings than units for defense.

There are a lot more types of players, choose the one that best suits you. For offensive players, first focus on building a strong army with a variety of different units to protect each other. Do not go out with one type of unit, (ex. tanks), because the defending player could send out airplanes and bomb up your tanks. Tanks do not harm planes, because they are anti-ground units and remember this is no rock, paper, scissors game! Then focus on capturing the capital. Why? Once the capital is captured, the defending player has a limited time to recapture it, usually, not that much time, and if the capital is captured, you automatically win. That is, if the gameplay is at default. Playing at sea is always hard for many players, since there are not as much units. However, it is better to either intrude someone's land (ex. island) or defend your own territory tightly. Do not focus on doing both, unless you have mastered the game. However this does not mean, "don't defend your territory". It simply means don't go 50/50, more like 10% on defense and 90% on attack if you're going to intrude someone's land. Vice Versa, if you're defending your capital. Of course, your capital is your first priority!

If you don't have enough strong units, don't attack. Once you do have a strong army, attack in a large group with tanks, airplanes, a few ships here and there, and most importantly a healthy group of soldiers. If you are having trouble capturing the capital city, capture another city and use it as a healing center, or another military factory. If you like rushing, rush in the first few ages of the game. Within the first ten minutes of the game if you haven't rushed, don't think of rushing. Focus on creating a strong army. If you are being rushed, don't panic and don't move away from your capital. No matter what, stay inside the capital, send out a few workers to quickly build a military factory, if you haven't done so, and/or build units to defend. When being rushed, don't send your villigers to attack and don't stop working. This is a major problem because you won't get any food source!

Mastering Real-time strategy games take a lot of time, since each "full" game takes over an hour or so. However, Rise of Nations is a great game and you should certainly try it. If you're a Real-time strategy gamer, this is a MUST buy! Rise of Nations is a fantastic game with incredible gameplay.