Rating: 
Summary: Emperor is an engaging 3d RTS despite major flaws
Review: Emperor: Battle for Dune is Westwoods first 3d RTS, and the sequel to the revolutionary Dune II. Emperor has both excellent graphics, and an engaging storyline, but it still feel somewhat derivative of its predecessor. There are three major campaigns pitting the noble Atriedes, sinnister Harkonen, and devious Ordos against each other. The campaigns are simple, and at times frustrating and repetitive, but the game stays true to it's legacy, with it's simple gameplay and excellent graphics. Emperor is packaged with high-quality multiplayer as well.
Rating: 
Summary: Buy this game - That is the directive!
Review: I've played many RTS type games but this is one of the best that I've had the pleasure to play. The game manages a good mix of the old and new. The combat in and of itself is like that found in the original Dune II, WarCraft, StarCraft, or countless other games along the lines. However, it is still fun and the excellent graphics enhance the experience immensely. Also, there are newer elements thrown in, such as the ability to ally with several different subgroups (Fremen, Sardaukar, Tleilaxu, Ix, and Guild). Each of the subgroups has different advantages and disadvantages and very different units.Another nice touch that is unfortunately not often seen in RTS games is that units gain experience as they fight. As their experience increases, they are a little tougher and can do more damage, this is a nice touch and it can make a very real difference on the battlefield. Elite units are more than a match for any two of their regular counterparts. There are three playable houses, Atreides, Harkonnen, and Ordos, each of which have different units and different advantages. The Ordos units heal gradually over time when wounded, the Harkonnen units will function at full capability no matter the damage sustained (until destroyed), and the Atreides can return elite units to the barracks to train all their troops to the next level of veterancy. Another nice feature is the ability to retreat from a battle if you feel it is unwinnable. This can be helpful as successfully retreating will give you a reserve force that can be quite useful. Also, the designers paid attention to logistics, a real world problem. If the territory you are attacking (or defending) is bordered by several friendly territories, the reinforcements you periodically receive during battle will be larger than if you were bordered by only one territory. Similarly, if you have a territory that is salient, it can be extremely difficult to defend. Not overextending oneself can be quite vital. If I have any complaints, it deals mainly with the storyline. I found the basic theme of it to be quite boring and uninventive. In a nutshell, the Spacing Guild decides to consolidate its monopoly on space travel by controlling Arrakis and the vital spice melange, to do so they create an 'Emperor Worm', basically a human-worm mutation with great psychic powers. *Yawn* If I had a dime for every time I've seen the 'evil corporation creates genetic superthing' story I'd be rich ;). However, the story does have its good moments, such as having to choose between one of the two heirs when the Baron Harkonnen is murdered. This is a nice touch that emphasizes the backstabby, vicious nature of the Harkonnen quite well. But if you can ignore the contrived portions of the story (easy enough to do with such great game play), the game itself is very enjoyable. All in all, another great game from Westwood =).
Rating:
Summary: Emperor - THAT is the directive!
Review: As a game that was declared as "the most dangerous opponent to War Craft III" (at least in my part of the world) Emperor hardly lives up to the expectations. A much better version of the classic Dune II, with much improved graphics, new and extremly cool units and some new concepts (such as the extended use of minor houses) - Emperor is still Dune II in a new suit. The story is quite boring (If I`ll hear the Ordos Mentat saying one more time: "That is the directive I will explode! :)))) and the control system is much the same as the older Dune II.
Still, for the RTS lovers, especially for the Dune universe fans - it`s a good choice. p.s. Try playing it while reading one of the Dune novels....it sure enhances the experience......
Rating:
Summary: Emperor: Battle for Dune by Electronic Arts
Review: How many of you enjoyed the DOS version of Dune II? What about Dune 2000? Did you enjoy the books and movies? Well, you have not seen anything yet! Emperor: Battle for Dune by Electronic Arts is unbelievable. The graphics are fantastic. The buildings, units, and personnel for your armies are outstanding. The Fremen, Sardaukar, Ixian, and Guild additions are great. A mobile repair vehicle replaces the repair pad and wait to you put the Freman on the worm to control it! Occassionally the worm comes up and you get to view down its throat! This game has four CD-roms, with each House (Ordos, Harkonnen, and Atreides) having one for their individual campaigns. The other CD is for installation and some single skirmish battles. A familiar voice and face from "Star Trek's: Next Generation" and "Deep Space 9" is the Atreides Duke. Wow, I could go on and on, but I have to go back to the game. My son and I find it very entertaining and addicting, so be warned. So far, we have only been using the CD-rom for the Atreides Campaign. Just when you think you have found all the improvements and changes in the game, and think it can not get any better, you find more changes and it gets better! The next Dune release by Dreamcatcher Interactive in December 2001 will really have to try hard to beat this version.
Rating: 
Summary: This games looks superb but...
Review: it works on almost no computers except for like a pentium 32 and the game play isnt that good even if you play. This game has to be one of the worst westwood has created. If you like games games like this I would definitly get Age of the Empires II or Red Alert 2. They are much better than this
Rating: 
Summary: Good Game, could be better
Review: Emperor: Battle for Dune is a good game that could have been much better. Before I even start with the gameplay, let me say that I am a sucker for great stories and settings in games. Much of my enjoyment of this game stems from the fact that it takes place in Frank Herbert's Dune universe, which, other than Tolkien's Middle Earth is probably the most well-loved scifi/fantasy storyline ever created. If you did not enjoy, or have not read the Dune books by Frank Herbert, you may not enjoy this game the same way I did. The gameplay however, is exactly what you would expect from a Westwood real-time-strategy Game: fun, addictive and predictable. If you were hoping for the same kind of innovation that was present in the RTS pioneer Dune 2, you'll be disappointed here. Not only do the basic elements borrow heavily from Westwood's Command and Conquer games, they also owe a great deal to Blizzard's Starcraft. That you can choose between three distinct factions alone is usually indication of a similarity to Starcraft for some reason, and the rule holds true here. Every vehicle and unit in the Atreides faction in Emperor seems to have a direct parallel in the Terran race in Starcraft. Despite those similarites, games of Emperor play out much differently than in most real time strategy games, though this is not always a good thing. While on the whole, gameplay is fun and addictive, multiplayer battles often degenerate into stalemates, primarily because of lack of a formation feature. Without the ability the organize troops into formations, its nearly impossible to mount an organized offensive. As your units hit bottlenecks in the terrain, they tend to narrow their ranks, until eventually they begin marching in a line, which, as any military general can tell you, is terrible for a head on assault. More often than not, your units will walk one by one into a well fortified enemy position and get slaughtered, one by one. Oftentimes, multiplayer matches will last for hours, with each player simply growing more and more entrenched in their position. When even combat can take place however, it is usually exciting and challenging. Vehicle to Vehicle combat is often intense, though unfortunately works on the paper-rock-scissors model prevalent in most real time strategy games. The end result of that is that you'll usually need two seperate groups of vehicles and infantry: one which is good at destroying ground troops, and the other specializing in smashing vehicles. Air units add an exciting third dimension to combat, and must be considered as a whole new theater of tactics, not just as scissors to paper that must avoid the rock. The biggest disappointment in Emperor though, is the single player campaign. While the cutscenes are pretty good for a computer game (which isn't saying much), the scenarios are often poorly designed, and enemy AI is lackluster. The only way that the campaign can challenge you with this poor AI is by stacking the odds in the opponents favor. For a challenge, you will probably be forced to resort to multiplayer, which is stable and has a small but dedicated player base, which you may friendlier than the large, sprawling community in a game like Starcraft. If you're a fan of the Dune books, or of Real Time Strategy games, this is a must own.
Rating: 
Summary: Warning big disapointment coming
Review: This game dissapointed me, it looked so great, which it does graphic wise, and i started to play it... and I saw most of the old units back, and that didn't really get to me, because I was gaping at the graphics. after i stopped drooling i realized I had sent my gas troopers to fight some tanks, first problem, the units are sometimes hard to distinquish, that was minor. But it was while they were on the way to attack, they just pranced along, doing there own thing, go up the mountin some one else goes around, no idea what they are doin. That is the second problem. Now another biggy, Westwood did not make an "attack en route" function, so the enemy takes pot shots at your stupid men,., and waypoints? I won't go there.(I would puke)
The story line is cool execpt that ordos woman angered me.
I am satisfied with the cinematics, only because Micheal Mcshean is in them. and i know him from tv shows and other movies. ie. "Office Space", and the british version(the first one) of "Who's Line is it Anyway"
Over all it was just unsatisfying. I never finished it because it was not a pleasent experience. And i almost always finish games. If you just like RTS's for no reason, then get it, otherwise save your money for better things.
Rating:
Summary: Unbelievable, Outstanding and the Greatest Pleasure!!!
Review: This game is the work of art. In other words, I say that employees of the Westwood have integrate the most beautiful works that humanly possible in the environment of computer. Its graphic is far beyond the level of any other games that exist in current world. Many people are complaining about the Artificial Intelligence, but it generally solves by itself because when the units get their level up, their abilities of battle increase and show their true strength. It somehow feels like seeing a role-playing game because each unit can get its level up and becomes much stronger, faster or heavier than before. Judging by just one disadvantage is the terrible mistake. Also, there are couple of patches available to improve these kinds of problems (As I know, there are 3 patches available right now). Although it requests incredibly strong machine to possess it, it still is the prettiest and the greatest game of present. Only problem is the Multiplay which is acceptable because of its size and complicated design. Nevertheless, it's the superior game that anybody can get right now!
Rating:
Summary: well...
Review: this game isn't bad, but RA2 is still better. emperor has better graphics, RA2 has better gameplay.
Rating:
Summary: Superb
Review: It seems like many people have many bad things to say about this game. MOST, in my opinion, are trivial. The game is superb, not only in graphics, but in replayability as well. But before I go on, I'll solve some issues...:) First...the compatibility. My current machine is one I built myself. Its a Celeron 800Mhz, with 128 RAM, a 32MB GeForce2 MX, and a 20GB HD. The game runs fine most of the time, with nearly full detail. The only hicups I got was when I moved 190 Sardaukar infantry across the map, and when I had 50 Mechs stationed within my base....So...yeah...It would be nice to have it all smooth, but think practically about it... The acting is relatively good, in the usual Westwood way. No complaints here... The sound is dead-on. Sometimes a bit repeditive, but nothing sounds quite like 50 mechs marching down the map, or 190 machineguns opening up a can of whup-a$$ on a stray scout ;) Multiplayer is extremely addictive. Especially during a LAN party. Sending a nuke into your mate's base, and hearing him squel in protest....priceless...It does slow down here though...I have to admit to that. But when its so much fun, who cares? Overall its a great game. It does a great job of tying it in with the books of Mr. Herbert. For example...any readers of his books would remember what happens when a Laser hits a shield...A nice sized boom...The same thing happens in the game. You will also find the Fremen, Ix, Tleilaxu, Sardaukar, and the guild in the game. And, of course, the feared Sandworms and dust storms of Arrakis aka Dune.... Again, a great game. Worth the purchase!
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