Very good expansion pack to an already great game.
Why: The expansion features many new additions to the game such as being able to build tombs for the dead instead of enormous Pyramids, which are basically enormous bill boards to grave robbers saying, "Look at me! I'm jam packed with gold!" This also brings in the new industries of lamp, and paint making, as you need paint to tell the stories of the Pharoahs life on the wall with elaborate paintings, and the lanterns are of course used to light the tombs. The plauges are also a new nice touch to the game and add some difficulty as before you could simply ignore the gods and recieve no punishment. This makes you spend your money more wisely and adds to the difficulty and realism of the game.
Pros: New additions are worthwile and enjoyable.
Cons: Graphics could have been upped slightly. Your workers are unfortunately incredibly stupid. Battles in the game are very small and rather boring.
Graphics: : 4
Why: The graphics are obviously dated and weren't even very good at the time of the games release. The game does have some surprisingly nice cutscenes. The housing is all very bland and cities look exremely run down and boring unless you have the best of the best housing. Night and day would have also been a little better since it isn't always sunny in Egypt.
Pros: Pryamids, Tombs, etc look pretty good. Cutscenes done well.
Cons. Lack of detail, water fails to look like water. Character models are lacking, building models are lacking.
Sound:: 9
Why: Sports a good bit of music which really supports the Egyptian theme of the game. Certian, heavily populated areas of the city seem loud with the clanging of armorers hammer, people talking, the usual market crowd bustle.
Pros: Good music, areas of the city that should sound loud are. Audio for people if you right click on them is nice, good that it varies depending on what they need.
Cons: Battles are not loud at all. You just hear the swish of swords and arrows flying in a perfectly straight line through the air. Shoudl have done a much better job with this.
Value: 8
Why: Game is actually quite long. Missions take quite a while to beat, except for the timed ones which are often frusturating as this is a slower, take your time kind of game. Since missions are pretty open ended and accomplished however you feel is the best way to do it there is some replay value.
Pros: Open ended game play is nice. Long time to beat game is good for replay value.
Cons: Timed missions are quite dumb as this game should be more focused on spending hours per mission.
Overall: 7.8
Why: This isn't a game for people looking for a fast paced, action oriented RTS like Age of Empires. This is a much slower, more economy driven type of game. Has a few shortcomings with graphics, and worker AI however this is still a fairly good expansion to a great game.