Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Empire Earth: The Art of Conquest builds upon the robust real-time strategy foundation of its predecessor, offering players a deeper and more varied gameplay experience. With three distinct single-player campaigns—ancient Rome, the Pacific Theater of World War II, and Asia in the 24th century—the expansion provides a rich tapestry of scenarios that challenge players to adapt their strategies across vastly different eras. From commanding legions in the Colosseum to coordinating island-hopping naval assaults and deploying futuristic hovercraft, each campaign introduces unique mission objectives and environmental hazards that keep the gameplay fresh and engaging.

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One of the standout additions is the introduction of special powers, buildings, and units for each of the 21 civilizations. These asymmetrical bonuses add a layer of strategic depth, as players must learn to leverage the Kingdom of Italy’s Metallurgy power—allowing interchangeable use of gold and iron for construction costs—or Great Britain’s S.A.S. unit, capable of swimming across water and planting demolitions behind enemy lines. Even the United States gains a new economic twist with its market building, which facilitates resource trades to balance shortages. These civ-specific traits foster diverse playstyles and encourage experimentation, ensuring that no two matches feel the same.

While the core economic and tech-tree mechanics remain familiar—forging through epochs from the discovery of fire to the dawn of space travel—the expansion refines unit pathfinding and AI behavior, resulting in more fluid skirmishes and smarter opponents. The learning curve remains accessible to newcomers, thanks to intuitive UI improvements and helpful tooltips, yet veterans will appreciate the micromanagement opportunities presented by advanced powers and resource-trading dynamics. Multiplayer aficionados will find balance tweaks aimed at fairer matches, though a healthy online community remains essential for sustaining competitive play.

Graphics

Although Empire Earth: The Art of Conquest retains the same engine as the base game, it brings polishing touches that enhance the visual fidelity across all eras. Terrain textures exhibit more pronounced detail, with rock faces, water reflections, and foliage benefiting from subtle upgrades. Whether you’re sieging a Roman fort or storming Pacific atolls under heavy monsoon rains, the environmental effects—such as billowing smoke, dynamic water ripples, and shifting day-night cycles—contribute to an immersive battlefield atmosphere.

Unit models have been refined to showcase era-specific equipment and attire more clearly at various zoom levels. Ancient Roman soldiers display distinctive armor glints, while World War II vehicles bear realistic weathering and insignias. In the futuristic Asia campaign, sleek hover tanks and towering orbital facilities boast crisp edges and neon-tinged lighting that stand out against the terrain. Although hardcore RTS fans may spot occasional pop-in or sprite-based foliage, the overall presentation remains impressive for a game of its generation.

Cinematic cutscenes and in-game storyboards also receive a visual boost, thanks to higher-resolution textures and improved camera work. Campaign briefings leverage animated backdrops and voice-over narration, lending a polished feel to the storytelling segments. Even the user interface sees minor graphical enhancements: menu icons are sharper, resource bars more legible, and notification pop-ups less obstructive. On mid-range hardware, the game maintains steady frame rates, though very large-scale battles may benefit from dialed-back unit detail settings.

Story

The Art of Conquest campaigns weave together historical authenticity and speculative fiction, offering a narrative journey through time and into the future. In the ancient Rome arc, players witness the rise and fall of emperors, forging alliances and quelling rebellions as they expand the empire’s borders. The narrative pacing balances large-scale battles with political intrigue, featuring map-specific objectives that breathe life into familiar historical events.

The Pacific Theater campaign shifts to a grittier, cinematic style, placing players in command of combined Allied forces during pivotal island confrontations. Naval engagements and amphibious landings are punctuated by scripted events—destroyer escorts fending off kamikaze strikes or beachheads under artillery bombardment—which heighten the tension and underscore the gravity of the World War II setting. While some voice acting can feel dated, the mission briefs and in-game text convey clear stakes and memorable scenarios.

Perhaps the most ambitious is the 24th-century Asia campaign, which ventures into a semi-dystopian future where resource scarcity and interstellar ambitions collide. Here, players pilot hover fleets and deploy orbital defense platforms, tasked with securing vital energy reserves while navigating the political machinations of rival superpowers. The storyline cleverly ties back to earlier epochs, offering thematic callbacks that reinforce the player’s sense of long-term progression and conquest. Overall, the expansion strikes a satisfying narrative balance, appealing to history buffs and sci-fi enthusiasts alike.

Overall Experience

Empire Earth: The Art of Conquest enriches the base game in meaningful ways, delivering fresh content that extends playtime and strategic depth. The three new campaigns alone offer dozens of hours of solo play, each with distinct challenges and memorable set pieces. Combined with the unique civilization traits, the expansion revitalizes both single-player and multiplayer modes, ensuring a high replay value.

For newcomers, the intuitive interface and well-paced tutorials provide a smooth entry into the world-spanning RTS formula. Seasoned players will appreciate the nuanced civ bonuses and refined AI, which demand adaptive strategies and reward careful planning. While the graphics engine shows its age compared to modern titles, the upgraded textures, effects, and cutscenes hold up remarkably well and never detract from the core gameplay.

Ultimately, The Art of Conquest stands as a worthy expansion that fulfills its promise of letting players “transcend the ages.” By blending historical depth with imaginative future scenarios, the pack caters to a broad audience of strategy fans. Whether you’re a die-hard Empire Earth veteran or a newcomer eager to experience an epic RTS saga, this expansion delivers an engaging and feature-rich journey from the dawn of civilization to the stars.

Retro Replay Score

7.1/10