Age of Empires II: Age of Kings - T

Strategy takes precedence over violence in this challenging real time strategy game.

Publisher: Microsoft Category/Genre: Computer Software - Real Time Strategy (RTS) Platform: Mac/Windows Price: $19.99 Graphics: Above average, offering a bird's eye view of the action. Playability: May be difficult at first for a player unfamiliar with these types of strategy games, but the game provides excellent teaching scenarios. Release Date: 01/18/2002 ESRB Rating: T

Common Sense Note

Strategy takes precedence over violence. Violence is fairly mild and seen from above, although defeated enemies do die and become skeletons. The developers made a definite effort to educate players about the various civilizations and their history. Parents should point out to their kids that real history differs from the game. The game, however, introduces civilizations that can be discussed with your kids.

Families can talk about how this type of game helps makes history come alive. Can children figure out in what ways the game is not historically correct?

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Common Sense Review

Reviewed By: Erik Lande

AGE OF EMPIRES II: THE AGE OF KINGS is a historically-based, real time strategy (RTS) game that allows players to found and build up one of 13 civilizations, such as the Celts, Franks, or Chinese. Players must balance exploration, economic and building needs, and battle in order to succeed in this game.

As a RTS game, the play is continuous with both the player and opponents active at the same time. Each civilization has special abilities, units, and heroes (historical figures such as Genghis Khan and Joan of Arc). The player must gather resources and construct buildings in order to expand the civilization and develop more advanced units.

The game offers hours of play, challenging computer artificial intelligence, and the ability to play against friends on other computers. Although the game does involve military conquest, it is offered in a historical context and is not explicit.

Overall, AGE OF EMPIRES II is an excellent entertainment value. It requires complex thought about economics and strategy from players rather than simple action and reaction, and it makes an effort to educate about the civilizations and time periods it covers.

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Content		CS	adults	kids
Content
Sexual Content
Violence Some, but seen from above in a manner that does not glamorize the violence.
Language
Message
	Social Behavior
	Commercialism
	Drug/Alcohol/Tobacco
	Educational Value The game and its manuals offer knowledge about various historical periods.