Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Empires: Dawn of the Modern World delivers a rich RTS experience by seamlessly guiding players from the Middle Ages through to World War II. Right from the first skirmish, you’ll notice the depth added by seven distinct civilizations, each boasting its own roster of units, visual effects, and special abilities. This non-symmetrical approach ensures that no two matches feel the same, encouraging players to master multiple playstyles and strategies.

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The single-player component includes three historical campaigns—Richard the Lionheart’s crusades, Admiral Yi Sun-sin’s naval defenses, and Patton’s Normandy invasion—each with scripted objectives that highlight the strengths and weaknesses of their respective factions. These campaigns are well paced, with escalating challenges that introduce new unit types and tactics as you advance. While the AI can be predictable at times, superior resource management and unit control will be rewarded handsomely.

Multiplayer is equally robust, offering up to eight participants over GameSpy, direct IP connections, or LAN. Whether you prefer cooperative play against CPU opponents or heated PvP showdowns, Empires provides a stable environment with low latency. For those who relish custom content, the included map and campaign editors make it easy to craft bespoke battlefields—though it’s worth noting that modders can’t create entirely new unit models without external tools.

Graphics

Visually, Empires: Dawn of the Modern World strikes a balance between functional clarity and period authenticity. Terrain tiles and buildings evoke their respective eras without overwhelming the player with superfluous detail. From the mossy stone castles of medieval Europe to the stark bunkers of World War II, each map presents a distinctive atmosphere that draws you deeper into the conflict.

Unit animations are fluid and coherent, with each civilization receiving its own animation sets for marching, attacking, and dying. Special attacks—such as Mongol horse archery barrages or British naval bombardments—are accompanied by unique particle effects and sound cues, which add cinematic flair to engagements. Though the engine shows its age next to modern 3D RTS titles, the art direction remains strong and the performance is rock solid even in massive late-game battles.

Environmental details—such as destructible bridges, wildfire propagation, and smoke plumes—help reinforce the sense of a living battlefield. Weather effects like rain and fog not only look attractive but can impact line of sight, forcing you to adapt your tactics. While the draw distance and texture resolution may feel modest by today’s standards, Empires succeeds in making each era visually distinct and functionally clear.

Story

Empires doesn’t rely on a single overarching narrative but instead offers three separate campaigns that each tell a focused historical tale. The Richard the Lionheart campaign highlights the tactical complexities of siege warfare, weaving in political intrigue and the stalwart defense of Crusader castles. Through scripted events and voiceover narration, you’ll feel the weight of each decision as you push into hostile territory.

In the Admiral Yi Sun-sin campaign, naval combat takes center stage. The story captures the desperation of Korea under Japanese assault and the ingenuity of Yi’s turtle ships. Missions transition seamlessly between land skirmishes and open-sea engagements, keeping the pacing brisk and the storytelling dynamic. Occasional historical vignettes provide context without bogging down the action.

Finally, the Patton campaign delivers a more modern feel, emphasizing armored divisions, air support, and rapid maneuvers across the Normandy beaches and beyond. The narrative celebrates Patton’s bold leadership style, punctuated by cinematic mission briefings and in-game cutscenes. While some might wish for deeper character development, the campaign succeeds in capturing the urgency and scale of World War II operations.

Overall Experience

Empires: Dawn of the Modern World stands as a compelling RTS that bridges classic medieval combat and mid-20th-century mechanized warfare. Its greatest strength lies in its variety—both in multiplayer skirmishes and single-player campaigns. With seven civilizations to master, each offering a fresh set of units and tactics, the game rewards experimentation and strategic adaptability.

The inclusion of map and campaign editors extends replayability, inviting the community to create custom scenarios. Although modders will need additional tools to introduce entirely new units, the provided assets and scripting options still support a thriving mod scene. For players who enjoy tinkering, this can add years of fresh content to an already substantial package.

While the graphics engine may not compete with today’s high-end 3D titles, its art direction, clear visual feedback, and stable performance make it a reliable choice for both casual and hardcore RTS fans. Combined with solid AI, varied campaigns, and robust multiplayer, Empires: Dawn of the Modern World remains a strong recommendation for anyone looking to experience a historical RTS with broad temporal scope and deep strategic options.

Retro Replay Score

7.9/10