Review: Rise of Legends

One of the most difficult things to maintain in an RTS is the flow of the game as it progresses. RTS games work best when player choices can diverge onto one of countless game styles. If this falls through, you get the Zerg rush effect and a hideously lop-sided game from the word go. Rise of Legends deals with this well by throwing all players into the thick of a game from a similar starting point with equivalent resources and balanced races. Countless modifiers mix up the game, the standout of which are the summonable Heroes. They drive the game's story, lead your forces into battle, and have their own special abilities which can greatly affect your chances of accomplishing a task.

Play balancing in Rise of Legends sets it apart from other RTS games, because it opens up a huge number of possible scenario outcomes while keeping them all balanced. The result is a very fluid game. Cities comprise major centers that are responsible for industry, resources and military strength. These govern your abilities, trade and army size respectively. Choosing which of these to invest in at the beginning of the game lets you determine the way in which you battle with opposing forces for supremacy, and provides many unique ways of approaching the game.



Your own style will emerge depending on which you place the most importance on and how you balance the options presented to you. The fringe benefits of an individual game style make Rise of Legends interesting, and provide much of the in-game flow. These are most apparent in the multiplayer section, which is fast, furious and highlights weaknesses and strengths in how you build your forces. Each race is balanced, yet has a distinct playable style. While the storylines behind the armies may draw you toward familiarization with a certain army, your gaming style may well be better suited to a different army.



The detail, scope and options that have been infused into Rise of Legends give it such a grandiose feel that it resembles an RPG in places. All these aspects will broaden its appeal and longevity. Familiarization and a good memory for what and where you are building are the keys to winning, and as you gain experience, it becomes more enjoyable. This steep learning curve is a bit of a letdown, but for those who have played Rise of Nations or know what to expect from a complex RTS, expect to see Rise of Legends become a firm multiplayer favorite after the fun of single player has worn off.