Rating: 
Summary: Despite some limitations, still a winner
Review: AoE2 is an incredible step forward from the first in the series. The graphics are stunning and Microsoft has made several leaps forward, namely better AI, more variety in units, gathering points, production lines and a random map generator. All of this has been reviewed to death in the other 100 or so reviews. What I personally have a problem with is the replayability of the campaigns which is nil. They are all too short, 4 or 5 scenarios, and many of the missions are impossible on anything but easy. Maybe I just stink at these games, which is entirely possible. Anyhow, the other problem I have is the inability to create your own campaigns, which would add much replay value to the game. You can create your own campaign, but the scope of what is possible to create is very limited. This is especially true when compared to AoE I, which had an excellent variety of possibilities. On the whole, however, this game is excellent and I have already spent too many hours in the middle of school playing it.
Rating: 
Summary: AoE 2: it's all about the gameplay!
Review: I'm not exactly unbiased, here; I absolutely loved Age of Empires. The moment I got word that AoE2 was in the works, I knew I would buy it. AoE had so many great aspects; real-world history, great graphics, intelligent interface and build systems and excelent and varied resource gathering. Everything you want in an RTS. Their best achievement, though, was the random map feature... endless replayability.Of course, AoE had it's faults: bad AI pathfinding, not enough distinction between the different cultures (every culture had the same vocal cues, BIG no-no), some others. AoE2: the Age of Kings is a wonderful sequel for many reasons, the most significant being gameplay. Military units now have the desperately needed behavior and formation commands, making combat infinitely more interesting and fun. Garissoning units allows for better protection of your peasants (and better defense of your hometown), as well as allowing for ambushes. Farming is now more realistic, with farms that roll over any terrain and that are renewable at a click. Plus all the great multiplayer customization is back, with many splendid additions. Perhaps best of all, the military units are exquisitely balanced against each other, with each society having a unique unit that allows for varied and exciting combat. While gameplay should be the number one concern of any developer, the graphics (while beautiful) are the same as they ever were. However, keep in mind that beautiful graphics cannot mask an uninteresting or unoriginal game (Total Annihilation: Kingdoms, Unreal, Quake 3 Arena). Great gameplay will always shine through mediocre or outdated graphics (Starcraft, Caesar 3, Prince of Persia). AoE2 is one to get.
Rating:
Summary: Truly exceptional...
Review: I'm not sure if there's a point adding onto the deluge of positive reviews, it's just that this game really does deserve all of the adulation. The original Age of Empires was a bland, banal piece of drudgery; however my opinion of everything Microsoft was turned on its ear when I first saw this sequel in action. It's not so much that Age of Kings creates or even reinvents a genre. It's just happens to be the first product of its particular genre that does it right. I wouldn't be surprised if this product was the result of programmers using a checklist of requests given by Real Time Strategy game players. Just about all of the annoying "I wish the program would just understand and do it this way without me having to do everything manually"-type problems of RTS games have been eliminated. For example, the fact that my dozens of little soldiers can now actually stay in formation and follow my exquisite battle plans (instead of charging off willy-nilly to perish) was worth the purchase price alone. That said, the few criticisms previous reviewers shared are mostly true. The AI is none too impressive (perplexing sometimes, who builds an army consisting solely of battering rams?), the scenarios can become tedious, the strategic depth doesn't compete with the better Turn Based Strategy games, etc. However, all of these complaints are universally applicable to all RTS games. And I do take issue with those who fault its replay value. I've already spent more time on the Random Map feature of this game than is healthy. Age of Kings is quite simply the best of its species. Oh, and if you plan on engaging foes online - be prepared; online gamers are rude and ruthless to begin with, and Age of Kings players even more so.
Rating:
Summary: Build and empire, kill everyone else, then shelf it...
Review: There has always been a dispute over which is better; real time or turn based strategy. And for the last couple of years we've seen many of the large names in the computer gaming industry (i.e Fraxis, Activision, Blizzard, and Mircosoft) battle it out on each seperate turf in order to gain the coveted spot at the top of the strategy gaming world. This year, the well known little sequal to the foundering Ages of Empire has been seen by some as one of those few RTS games that will breath new life into an old genre. In my opinion, it's a great game, but it's still got all the same RTS components. First off, let me just say that the graphics in this game are beautiful; all the castles for each of the 12 individual countries are different and highly detailed. In addition, each countries forces and militaries are also seperated from eachother, making the whole experince very real. Plus it's cool to see literally hundereds of little army men that are under your control battle a whole army to the death with a single click of the mouse. However, I do have a couple of qualms. First off, It's no starcraft or even warcraft. The AI, in my opinion, although completly overhauled from the first game, is still lacking in some places. And second, although the senarios are all based on historical wartime events, (i.e Joan of Ark or William Wallace vs Longshanks) they really have no replay value otherwise. However, when all is said and done, compared to the first game, this stunning sequal has a lot to offer to the RTS gaming world. However, it's still far from revolutionary (no pun intended) The Good News: If you like RTS games and like to line Bill Gates pockets (no offense Bill) then go for it. The Bad News: If you're looking for something you won't shelf after you're done with it, look someplace else. In the end: To the Victor goes the spoils, and this time, the victor is Microsoft.
Rating:
Summary: AMAZING, NO REGRETS ON BUYING THIS GAME!
Review: I downloaded the demo of this game because I heard it was fun. I absolutely loved it. I got into the game immediately, and have been constantly playing the full version ever since I got it. THe multiple civilizations are fascinating, and I absolutely love how the game is set up. The set up of the game is very good, and you can have up to fifteen units lined up for production, so there is no delay between unit production making for faster army manufacturing. The only thing that i wish this game had was an attack walk command like in Starcraft. If it has one, I have yet to discover it, and even if there is one, it is going to be hard to remember. So many things come into play in this game from units effectiveness against each other and buildings, height, and so on. There is no end to the fun in this game. I suggest anyone who loves realtime strategy get this game. It is better than the first one, Warcraft, Starcraft and all of the other realtime games I have ever played combined. It is worth every single penny.
Rating:
Summary: Great Game
Review: The bottom line is that this is a great game. It has many improvements from the first one. First there is no longer a 50 person population limit. It is now 200 and is not that annoying. One of the only problems is that stone and gold runs out in a matter of minutes. Fortunitly there are trade routes. You build them at a market and they go and the gold appears out of no where. Not realistic but makes up for the lack of raw matteralis. You can buy and sell goods at the market. One of the only problems is that when you play anything but renicide people quit at the begaining of the game. This was ment to happen so you didn't have to hunt down every last peasent before claiming victory but is annyoning sence building a wonder will never win it for you. But over all it is a great game
Rating:
Summary: Amazing !
Review: This is absolutley fabulous ! I'm not a game player, but latly I have spent so much time playing this it has been unreal. The strategy element of the game is mind bending, the options the detail, everything. I can't get enough of this. The only bad thing is the American/Scottish accent !
Rating:
Summary: Possibly the Best Game in History
Review: If you really want to know a good computer game it's this one. Age of Kings is so far the third part of a trilogy also including the games Age of Empires I and Age of Empires Expansion the Rise of Rome. I think that all these games can teach you a lot about the time periods back then and it gives interactive experiance away fro modern technology. In short this is the best game in my opinion.
Rating:
Summary: AoK: Better than ever.
Review: I have played both AoE and its expansion pack RoR. The first day that AoK came into stores I bought it. And let me tell you, I am very much happy to buy it the first day. If you are a lover of Real Time Strategy (RTS) games genre, this game is a must-buy. The advanced commands that are available for your military units make it much easier for you to mount a well-managed attack on your opponent. With 13 civs to choose from, you can never have enough of the game. Beware: Age of Kings is an addiction. Its hard to stay away from it.
Rating: 
Summary: Good game when it doesn't surrender
Review: This is basically the same game as the first, just with better graphics. However, it has a terrible habit of surrendering the Computer players in 5:01 minutes. For this alone, it is almost worth passing up and going with Caeser or Civilization. They did add some great features, such as searching for idle villagers and different map views, but if you cannot play longer than 5 minutes, who cares?
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