The venerable Age of Empires is a popular real-time strategy series for the PC. A few years ago, AOE made its first outing on the DS with Age of Kings, based on the PC game of the same name. This DS edition was turn-based, rather than real-time, but most everything else was classic AOE. The result was a satisfying strategic title that could be played on the go. Now, with the second DS edition of Age of Empires Mythologies, things have gotten even better.

The single-player campaign mode is comprised of three campaigns: Egyptian, Greek and Norse. Each of the campaigns has several missions with unique goals. The first campaign, Egyptian, plays rather like a tutorial. A helpful “Oracle” gives short tips and advice on new capabilities the player can utilize for that particular mission. There are also actual tutorials in a tutorial mode, but these are mainly to demonstrate the menus and buttons, and aren’t really necessary for even the rawest of strategy newbies.

Basic gameplay is simple and easy to learn, but at the same time, complex and strategic. This is accomplished by offering only a few options for each turn: move, then attack or build with the units, or train, research or “age-up” with the buildings. Players can move their units, then choose to either attack (if next to an enemy tile), or build. Players can train new units in existing buildings, and also research improvements for the buildings and units. After a certain amount of resources and research has accumulated, players can “age-up” their units, for increased skills.

The complexity is enhanced by the Rock/Scissors/Paper attributes of each type of unit: Human units are vulnerable against Myth units, Hero units are weaker than Humans, and Myth units are susceptible to Hero units. The type of terrain plays a part in defense and attack considerations, and for even more strategic fun, the Heroes’ capabilities can be increased by god power research. My favorite Egyptian god powers were the locust plague and the Nile deluge.

The five main categories of units are heavy and light infantry, cavalry, archer and siege. Some of these are traditional soldiers, but there are also mythological creatures, hence the name of the game. These creatures are fantastic in appearance, and really add to the overall fun of the title. What’s not to like about giant bugs? The combined use of the far-ranging archer units with the increased defense of terrain such as hills or forests is yet another strategic consideration.

Each mission begins with the enemies seemingly stacked against the player, but with careful planning of attacks and movements, victory is always within grasp. For the most part the AI seems decent and is challenging, but not lethal. However, sometimes it appears erratic. For instance, early in the Egyptian campaign, the enemies wouldn’t advance and attack after their initial scouting units were killed. I was free to increase my resources and units at will. Finally, I moved some forces toward the opposing side, and then they advanced in my direction. By that time, though, I had built up quite a force and eliminated them with ease!

The graphics are very detailed and attractive. The characters are clearly defined and animated smoothly. The backgrounds are also quite lovely. And, the battle movie sequences are some of the best I’ve seen on the DS. The music is some of the best I’ve heard on the DS, too, with a great score that matches each campaign perfectly. There are even short “nonsense” comments from the units when they are activated.

Besides the single-player campaign mode, there are also skirmish and scenario modes for the single-player. The meat of the potential gameplay replay value lies in the huge amount of multi-player options, though. Players can play wirelessly with players in close proximity, or over a W Fi connection on the Internet with individual copies of game cartridges; Hot Seat with one NDS and game cartridge; and even play a shortened online version with just one game cartridge. An added bonus is the inclusion of unlockable items and maps that can be used in multi-player games.

This is great value, but is dependent on finding other players with copies of AOE Mythologies. It would have been nice if the wireless option could have been with just one cartridge. That way, families could play without having to pass around one DS.

Compared to the multiplayer mode, the campaign single-player mode is rather short, with only eight missions per campaign. It’s possible to finish all of them in just a few weeks. Even the skirmish and scenario modes only offer a few more maps.

I’m a big strategy fan, and love turn-based games most of all. AOE Mythologies is enjoyable and challenging, and I’m having a good time with it. The music and graphics really add to the overall appeal, too. A good way to spend time during those stressful holiday family gatherings.

Gameplay: 8.0
The gameplay is engrossing and fun. The implementation of the AOE strategy concept to a handheld is almost perfect, with simplified tasks and options for quick turns, and the main strategy reserved for the characteristics and features of the playable items and characters. It’s too bad the single-player campaigns are rather short, though.

Graphics: 9.0
The graphics are beautifully done.

Sound: 8.0
The music is appealing and great to hear. The music matches the campaigns nicely.'

Difficulty: Medium
This game isn’t the toughest strategy title out there, but does get a bit more difficult toward the end. However, even players new to AOE will be able to pick this game up and play with ease.

Concept: 8.0
This port is handled nicely. The turn-based structure is well-done, and the interface is intuitive and easy to understand.

Multiplayer: 8.0
An amazing amount of choices and options for a smooth and fun multi-player experience! Unless players have lots of like-minded friends, though, they will probably be playing with strangers online for the most part. Multiple copies of the game are required for W-Fi and Wireless play.

Overall: 8.0
This is a great strategy game for the DS, and one that strategy fans won’t want to miss. It’s fun to play, pretty to see and nice to hear. All the different modes add a good bit of content. The single-player campaign could be longer, but overall this is a great way to spend a few hours on a hand-held.