A great game which other reviewers have mostly focused on the little noticable cons...
Sound
Ok, I'll admit that there is a sound flaw, that you will hear little of real battle cries, explosions and treking, and you'll mostly hear the music that does add to the experience still with its chanty battle theme music the changes depending on the current status of gameplay and battle. Yet despite what others may tell you, you can hear the sound better than thought and if you REALLY want more out of it, just change the music options to hear the effects better.
Graphics
Of course if you zoom in plenty you can see the pixels and bad real life textures but if you zoom out to view the entire force you've created, then you can enjoy the colourful units you are given. Although sometimes you will notice that units may walk through eachother now and then, when it comes to combat and ranged fire, the effects like fireworks can dazzle and cause bloodshead...
Gameplay
If you've played the previous Rise of Nations game, then you'll mostly likely appreciate this game to however in comparison to the previous in the series, its not the best RTS ever, but don't get me wrong, many will still enoy the experience. It lays ALOT like the original and has masses of units as one like Dawn of War and Battle for Middle-Earth, which is always great play and a change to traditional RTS. The unit options you are givin are quite a selection as the 3 races, although a little option, can make each skirmish different from the last with their major differences in attack, apperence and how they mange their economy, like Age of Mythology. The campign is a treat to since there are many special unique units and heroes that only appear in the story but are very colossus n' cool... and if you want to play with them some more you can always include them in your custom made maps like Age of Empires. The campign map is simular to Total War but is linear in option of where you want to go, and the story is all over the place and predicable... but its the insane battles that make up for this flaw.
Value
With the range of maps, online play, custom selections and long story maps, Rise of Legends is a multiple package for most RTS players to enjoy. The mythical beasts, magical aliens and twisted automatons also make this one of the most random games out there, but that is what make this a different experience to the others, even though gameplay may be basic in comparison to others great games out there. If in doubt play the demo first but if like me you have a hunch you'll enjoy this, then you'll mostly likely be right, like I was haha! And if you've never played the previous Rise of Nations... don't worry, the difference in units and story make this a whole seperate experience to some extent, if you are a fantasy gamer.