Preview: Age of Empires: The Age of Kings (NDS)

A lack of serious challengers for the title of undisputed champion of DS turn based strategy games has meant that Advance Wars: Dual Strike has been sitting pretty as the number one choice for some time now. Gamestyle is pleased to announce that this could all be about to change with the impending arrival of Age of Empires DS.

Adapted from the popular PC title Age of Empire II: The Age of Kings, the DS version is set to hit UK shops in October. Those already familiar with the title on the PC may not be surprised to learn that the RTS foundations of the game have been ditched in order to squeeze the game onto the DS. Instead, Age of Empires has become a turn based strategy title, pitching it directly into competition with Advance Wars.

Set across the Dark and Middle Ages, Age of Empires allows the player to take control of one of five warring empires with the ultimate aim of conquering the known world. The scope of the game is more ambitious than Intelligent Systems’ title with players able to develop settlements and research technology in order to progress their quest. Of course, there is an impressive array of units to be lead into battle, with empire specific units such as Samurai available for use.

Most intriguingly of all, Age of Empires DS allows the player to take control of genuine historical ‘hero’ units on the battlefield, including such luminaries as Richard the Lionheart and Genghis Khan. Clever use of these units will help turn the tide of battle. However, if it all gets a bit much, the game includes a combat adviser to get you out of a jam.

In order to utilise the unique features of the DS, expect (in a not at all gimmick like fashion) Ages of Empires DS to allow you to move your units around using the stylus and touch screen. Gamestyle is pleased to see that the DS’s wireless capabilities are also being used with up to four players at a time being able to battle each other.

With Age of Empires DS receiving plenty of praise upon its US release Gamestyle is hopeful that Advance Wars will finally face some serious competition for its crown.

Words by Andy Lucas