Rise of Nations or Age of Mythology?

JSL · Post by **JSL** » Thu Jan 20, 2005 6:11 pm

I'm thinking about getting one of these games and I wanted to see what people thought about them. I would like something with some strategy to it (more strategy than Warcraft 3 for instance), possibly being able to pause and give orders, and most of all something that is fun. I have tried the demo versions of the games, but I want to see the pluses and minuses of each of these games based on feedback from people who played the full games.

From the demo versions both games seem fun and they both seem like they have more strategy than other RTS games. One thing I wasn't able to figure out is whether you could pause and give orders in either of them though.

I know someone is probably going to say just get Rome Total War and I do intend to get it, but only after the game comes down in price and I build my new PC. Kohan II is another possibility, but it needs to hit the $20 mark before I get it.

SuperHiro · Post by **SuperHiro** » Thu Jan 20, 2005 6:14 pm

Kohan II is really really really good. It was fighting with WoW to make my personal GOTY but Bejeweled 2 stole the crown.

But I'd recommend Rise of Nations over AoM any day. You can Pause and Give Orders, Peons can move automatically. And the game is so epic in scope that it has way more replay value than AoM.

Smoove_B · Post by **Smoove_B** » Thu Jan 20, 2005 6:16 pm

Between those two, I would go with Rise of Nations.

That being said, if you want a RTS game that has some of the best strategery, I would go with Warhammer 40K: Dawn of War.

This game came out of no where for me and I was impressed with not only the combat strategy but the ability to really customize squads. The Single Player campaign is pretty short, but otherwise a solid game.

Orpheo · Post by **Orpheo** » Thu Jan 20, 2005 6:31 pm

Between those two, Age of Mythology has better single player, and RoN has better multi. But AoM does have pretty good multi, and RoN has pretty good single, especially with the expansion pack. So it's a tough decision

Why not get both, they're probably pretty cheap by now.

JSL · Post by **JSL** » Thu Jan 20, 2005 6:40 pm

SuperHiro wrote:Kohan II is really really really good. It was fighting with WoW to make my personal GOTY but Bejeweled 2 stole the crown.

But I'd recommend Rise of Nations over AoM any day. You can Pause and Give Orders, Peons can move automatically. And the game is so epic in scope that it has way more replay value than AoM.

If anyone knows someplace that has Kohan II for about the $25.00 mark I would be tempted to pick it up. I missed the CompUSA sale when they had it for $20.00.

Orpheo wrote:Between those two, Age of Mythology has better single player, and RoN has better multi. But AoM does have pretty good multi, and RoN has pretty good single, especially with the expansion pack. So it's a tough decision Why not get both, they're probably pretty cheap by now.

They are both really cheap as the gold editions are about $25 each. I don't have a lot of playing time these days though and I also don't want to upset my fiancee who already thinks I spend too much time with games.

Thanks for all of the comments so far! I am leaning towards RoN Gold or Kohan II now, but keep the comments and suggestions coming.

Tareeq · Post by **Tareeq** » Thu Jan 20, 2005 6:56 pm

Jeffrey LaMarche wrote:I don't have a lot of playing time these days though and I also don't want to upset my fiancee who already thinks I spend too much time with games.

There are plenty more fish in the ocean, my friend.

bluefugue · Post by **bluefugue** » Thu Jan 20, 2005 6:58 pm

They are both good but I'd go with RoN.

JSL · Post by **JSL** » Thu Jan 20, 2005 7:10 pm

Tareeq wrote:
Jeffrey LaMarche wrote:I don't have a lot of playing time these days though and I also don't want to upset my fiancee who already thinks I spend too much time with games.
There are plenty more fish in the ocean, my friend.

She has plenty of reason to feel this way and I don't blame her at all. She has helped me see the error of my past ways. I already found the best fish, I won't be going fishing again.

Getting back on topic though, RoN Gold is still my top choice right now. Unless someone tells me it is utter garbage and I should just play Playboy the Mansion instead.

happydog · Post by **happydog** » Thu Jan 20, 2005 7:48 pm

AoM can do paused orders too (at least in MP).

Rhett · Post by **Rhett** » Thu Jan 20, 2005 9:08 pm

RON all the way, great game. Especially with the expansion. Grr, makes me want to reinstall...

Thunderspark · Post by **Thunderspark** » Thu Jan 20, 2005 11:32 pm

Either RoN or Kohan 2. Both are fun and I suppose it depends whether you care if you play a fantasy setting or historic one. I think RoN has a bit more interesting stuff like the city radius thing and merchants and wonders. Kohan 2 is fun, but it is quite similar to the previous version.

Zarathud · Post by **Zarathud** » Fri Jan 21, 2005 1:21 am

Rise of Nation has a great level of balance and allows some new tactics to the bored old RTS. Warhammer Dawn of War is also a great suggestion for those interested in a more futuristic/fantasy setting.

Enough · Post by **Enough** » Fri Jan 21, 2005 12:32 pm

I like both games, but I think RON easily tops AOM for my tastes. That said it depends what sort of game you are after. AOM does have the better graphics and it has a fantasy feel thanks to the mythic theme whereas RON is more pseudo-historical. Both games benefit from their expansions, but Titans in AOM can be over-powered especially for noobs. RON imho beats AOM in the strategy elements with it's national borders concept, slightly better unit ai, and conquer the world campaign. I also find RON better balanced overall. One thing nice about both games is it's easy to set up a quick 1-2hr map for when you don't want to spend endless hours on one scenario. If you are a wall-builder you might want to stay away from RON as it has none. It does have fortresses and towers that are quite powerful however that might make up for the lack of walls if you think you will miss them. Personally I don't think RON needs them.

AOM in the end for me is more of a beer and pretzels game that is easy to play half-conscious for those times when you want an easy fun gaming experience, where RON is more of an excercise of cerebral acuity.

Zekester · Post by **Zekester** » Fri Jan 21, 2005 1:11 pm

I say just play the demo of RoN, but buy the full game of AoM.

AoM has much more interesting locations and units, which give it lasting power IMO

Ripstar · Post by **Ripstar** » Fri Jan 21, 2005 1:30 pm

I liked Age of Mythology better, because its a little different.

I played all the Age of series and enjoyed them.

In AoM its seems that the game makers corrected any bugs in the previous game formats, listened to their fan base and created a great game that stands out because it feels that the people that made it knew they were turning out a top notch product and were actually having fun doing it.

And that is what give it the edge.

Fretmute · Post by **Fretmute** » Fri Jan 21, 2005 5:10 pm

I'm a huge fan of RoN for the ability to set the cost for researching things. I really enjoy cranking the cost way up and playing at the slowest possible speed; it makes for a very epic game, and when you manage to make a key tech before your opponents it gives you time to utilize it. I'm not sure if this option is available in AoM.

philosophist · Post by **philosophist** » Fri Jan 21, 2005 6:23 pm

To me, RoN feels much more complex and has, arguably, a much steeper learning curve. AoM, on the other hand, feels like AoE with mythological units; consequently, it is more accessible. That doesn't make one better than the other, of course. Depends on what you want. As usual, YMMV.