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Platform: PC
Related Links: Review: WarCraft III: Reign of Chaos (PC)
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Rise
of Nations: Throne and Patriots
Late
last Spring Big Huge Games Rise of Nations was released to quite a
bit of fanfare with strategy gamers picking the title up in droves, as the
titles streamlined gameplay, smart interface, and the need to change
strategies as time passed really helped to breath life into the
real-time strategy genre. Now,
like all good PC games, Rise of Nations has an expansion pack on the way
called Throne and Patriots.
By
far what will get Rise of Nations fans excited are the sheer number of
new nations being added to the fray.
Usually when new armies are added to a strategy title gamers will
be lucky if they get one or two and maybe some high-end units for
pre-existing forces, but in Throne and Patriots players will have six
new nations to sink their teeth into.
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New
Nation Profiles: Americans Immigrant
peoples who settled North America and declared their independence in the
18th century. The
Americans have the Power of Innovation.
First Wonder is built instantly, provided no other nation is building it
also (excluding Space Program or Supercollider) |
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Governments at the Senate are free
Aircraft and Carriers are cheaper
Starting in the Modern Age, two free bombers are created at each Airbase
A free Scholar is created at each new University.
Also have the additional power of receiving +3 Food, Timber, Metal, and
Wealth for every non-Scout Barracks unit American
unique units are: Continental Marines, Marine Riflemen, Marine Infantry,
and Assault Marines. Lakota Indigenous
peoples of North America whose territory ranged over western South
Dakota, eastern Wyoming, and eastern Montana. The
Lakota have the Power of the Plains
Instead of building Farms and Granaries, receive Food for each Citizen,
Scout, and Calvary unit (expect when garrisoned)
Have no National Territory, and can construct buildings in any territory
not held by another nation
Buildings can be razed quickly for full purchase value Lakota
unique units are: Sunka Wakan, Eagle Feather Horse, Musket Horse, and
Repeating Rifle Horse. Iroquois Confederacy
of Native American tribes populating the Northeast region of North
America. The
Iroquois have the Power of the Forest
Get one free Scout unit with each Barracks built
Scouts get free upgrades and can move through forests
Starting with Akweks, Scouts are hidden even while moving
Military units in friendly territory are hidden when not attacking
Woodcutters also gather +3 Food each
All units heal when not moving or attacking in friendly territory
Barracks units +10% hit points
First Senate build is free and builds instantly Iroquois
unique units are: PTakohs, Spearmen, Mohawk Spearmen, Akweks, Heavy
Mohawk Spearmen, Elite Mohawk Spearmen, Okwari. Persians One
of the great ancient nations in southwest Asia. Persians
have the Power of Ceremony
Bonus starting Food
Can found a second Capital by building a second Senate. Second City
built acts as a second Capital. Both receive Capital border bonus, and
both must be captured to eliminate you
Receive Taxation upgrades for free
Cheaper Civic research
Always have the maximum number of Caravans Persian
unique units are: Immortals, Anusiya, War Elephant, Athanatoi, Mahout,
Gun Mahout, Arquebus Immortal, and Culverin Mahout. Indians Nation
whose origins date to 2500 BC. Located in southern Asia, it is the
worlds most populous modern democracy. The
Indians have the Power of Majesty
Buildings (except Wonders and Cities) do not ramp up* in cost
Fortifications ramp up at half normal rate
City Economic Radius is increased
War Elephant upgrades are free, and War Elephant units are 15% cheaper
Caravan income is increased Indian
unique units are: War Elephant, Mahout, Gun Mahout, and Culverin Mahout. *The
cost to produce additional buildings and units normally increases as the
number of those buildings/units owned by your nation increases. Dutch Known
for their economic prowess and world exploration. Won their freedom from
the Spanish Empire in the 16th century. The
Dutch have the Power of Commerce
Begin with a free Commerce research, and receive a discount on all
subsequent Commerce research
Start with a Market and 2 free Merchants
Receive bonus resources based on the amount of accumulated resources
(except Knowledge)
Receive two Light Ships whenever a Dock is built, provided you have at
least one Military research Dutch
unique units are: Armed Caravan, Armed Merchant, Armed Supply Wagon,
Brig, Fluyt, and the Clipper. Besides
all of these new nations, players will also have four new campaigns to
take on, as they challenge Alexander the Great, expand across the New
World, deal with the Cold War, and lock sabers with Napoleon.
On top of this, 20 new units will be available as well as new
wonders. And to polish
things off there will be new government types in the game for players to
contend with as well.
Government
Type Information: Despotism Government
controlled by one tyrannical ruler with absolute powers.
Military research and Barracks units 25% cheaper
Receive the Despot Patriot (a General who also provides supply,
Line-of-Sight, and plunder bonuses) Monarchy Government
controlled by a single hereditary ruler.
Stable units are 25% cheaper and faster to build
Receive The King Patriot (a General who also provides supply, siege, and
mounted combat benefits) Democracy Government
whose rulers are elected by all citizens and represent the will of the
people.
Non-Library technologies 20% cheaper
Receive The President Patriot (a General who also provides production,
building, and healing benefits) Capitalism Government
wherein production and distribution of goods are determined by a free
and competitive market.
Receive +100 Oil income and 500 Oil
Receive The CEO Patriot (a General who also provides defense, range, and
healing benefits) Socialism Government
wherein production and distribution of goods are determined by equity
rather than market principles.
Factory, Airbase, and Dock units 20% cheaper and faster to build
Receive The Comrade Patriot (a General who also provides supply, combat,
and assimilation benefits) Republic Government
controlled by elected representatives who may (or may not) represent the
will of the people.
Commerce Limit increased by 50
Receive The Senator Patriot (a General who also provides healing,
bribing, and building defense bonuses) Much
of the time when an expansion pack to a popular game is released, it can
feel like the developers just shot it out the door with little thought
outside of lining their pockets with some easy profit.
But looking at just how much new stuff is being thrown into
Throne and Patriots, this expansion really gives the impression that Big
Huge Games wants it be something special.
RTS fans can snag this title when it hits stores in April.
Mr.
Nash
(March
1, 2004) |
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