Age of Empires: The Age of Kings

Step into the next evolution of the legendary Age of Empires universe with this Nintendo DS exclusive, where the thrill of real-time conquest transforms into a gripping turn-based strategy adventure. Harness the innovative touchscreen controls to command armies, develop your sprawling town, and deploy cutting-edge upgrades as you navigate a series of epic battle campaigns. Whether you’re reinforcing fortifications or sending troops into decisive skirmishes, every tactical choice shapes the fate of your burgeoning empire.

Choose from five storied civilizations—Britons, Franks, Mongols, Saracens, and Japanese—each led by a heroic figure whose unique abilities can tip the scales of war. Rally under Richard the Lionheart’s banner, unleash the devastating might of Genghis Khan’s cavalry, follow in the footsteps of Joan of Arc’s inspiring crusade, or call upon the cunning of Minamoto Yoshitsune. With deep strategic layers, customizable unit lineups, and hero-driven special powers, this turn-based saga brings portable strategy gaming to dazzling new heights.

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Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Based upon Ensemble Studios’ Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings, Age of Empires: The Age of Kings for the Nintendo DS shifts the series from its real‐time strategy roots to a grid‐based, turn‐based strategy format. Players issue commands using the DS touch screen, plotting unit movements, attacks, and construction on a hexagonal battlefield. This change in pacing encourages a more deliberate, chess‐like approach, where each move must be carefully considered to outmaneuver the opponent.

The game features five distinct civilizations—Britons, Franks, Mongols, Saracens, and Japanese—each with a unique hero unit that can turn the tide of battle. Heroes like Richard the Lionheart for the Britons or Genghis Khan for the Mongols have special abilities and confer bonuses to nearby troops. Deploying these heroes effectively becomes a core part of the strategy, rewarding players who understand the strengths and weaknesses of each faction.

Beyond combat, players also construct and expand a medieval town, securing resources to train new units and research upgrades. Town buildings such as barracks, stables, and blacksmiths unlock advanced infantry, cavalry, and siege weapons. Balancing your economy with military expansion keeps each turn fresh, as you decide whether to fortify defenses, launch assaults, or focus on technological advancement.

Graphics

On the Nintendo DS hardware, Age of Empires: The Age of Kings presents crisp, colorful sprites that capture the feel of its PC ancestor in a more compact form. Battlefields are rendered in an isometric view that rotates smoothly as you scroll, while units are clearly distinguishable by color and iconography. Despite the handheld’s limited resolution, the game maintains readability even in crowded skirmishes.

Unit animations are simple but effective: infantry swing swords, cavalry charge, and siege weapons hurl projectiles with satisfying impact effects. The top screen shows the main battlefield, while the bottom touchscreen displays your command interface and a minimap. This dual‐screen setup prevents menu clutter and lets you tap to select units or buildings directly, streamlining actions without interrupting the flow of play.

Environmental details—such as forests, rivers, and town walls—add strategic depth and visual variety to each scenario. Although polygon count and frame rates are modest by modern standards, pop-in issues are rare, and performance remains steady even when dozens of units clash. The color palette is vibrant, ensuring that each civilization maintains a distinct visual identity.

Story

The campaign structure in The Age of Kings DS is divided into multiple battle scenarios for each of the five civilizations, loosely following historical events from the medieval era. You’ll relive Richard the Lionheart’s crusades, defend the Great Wall of China under Genghis Khan’s successors, or stake your claim in feudal Japan alongside Minamoto Yoshitsune. Each mission comes with a briefing that outlines your objectives and provides historical context.

Story progression relies on text‐based briefings and static art panels rather than animated cutscenes. While the lack of fully voiced cinematics is a limitation of the DS, the narrative writing remains engaging, highlighting each hero’s motivations and the stakes of each battle. Between missions, you receive reports from town advisors that hint at looming threats or strategic opportunities, maintaining immersion in the campaign.

The pacing of story missions alternates between intense skirmishes and slower, buildup‐focused encounters. This variety prevents fatigue and encourages players to adapt their tactics. Though the narrative depth won’t rival console or PC epics, the educational value and historical flavor make these campaigns both informative and entertaining for strategy enthusiasts.

Overall Experience

Age of Empires: The Age of Kings on DS successfully brings a beloved RTS franchise to a portable, turn‐based format. The shift in gameplay style offers a fresh take for veteran players and a more accessible entry point for newcomers to strategy games. Touch controls are well implemented, with intuitive unit selection and map navigation that feels natural on the DS hardware.

Strengths include the diverse civilizations, each with distinct hero abilities, and the balanced blend of economy management and tactical combat. The multiplayer component—via local wireless—adds replayability, allowing head-to-head matches that test strategic mettle against friends. However, mission length can be lengthy for on-the-go sessions, and the absence of online play limits long-distance competition.

Overall, The Age of Kings for the DS offers a compelling strategy experience that honors its PC heritage while embracing the strengths of handheld design. Players seeking deep tactics, historical campaigns, and portable gameplay will find much to enjoy, making it a valuable addition to any DS library and a must-try for fans of the series.

Retro Replay Score

7.8/10

Additional information

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Developer

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Retro Replay Score

7.8

Website

https://web.archive.org/web/20060411155945/http://www.ageofempiresds.com:80/

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