GENRE
	Turn-Based Strategy
	DEVELOPER
	Griptonite Games
	PUBLISHER
	THQ
	LOCAL WIRELESS MULTI-PLAY
	Yes
	Wi-Fi/GLOBAL ONLINE MULTI-PLAY
	Yes
	MICROPHONE
	No
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Age of Empires: Mythologies is the series' second attempt on DS. Built off of the same engine as its predecessor Age of Kings, Mythologies is a turn-based strategy game in the vein of tactical JRPGs like Disgaea, with a dash of resource management and empire building added for good measure.

visuals

Mythologies has all the small touches of a game well-loved by its developer, Griptonite Games. Its visual presentation is evident from the get go, as the clean menus slide onscreen in style. This game looks good.

audio

Epic themes demand epic soundtracks, and Mythologies delivers. Expect tribal drums, swelling motifs and grand orchestrations.

gameplay

Mythologies is a turn-based strategy in which players get to move and attack with each of the available units each turn. The affair is a wargame wrapped in the Age of Empires branding. Battles take place on an isometric grid, with terrain playing a key role.

The game features three playable races: Egyptians, Norse and Greeks. Each race has its own strengths as well as three unit classes: Humans, Heroes and Mythological Creatures. These form a paper-rock-scissors triad (Human beats Hero, Hero beats Myth, Myth beats Human), but each unit also has its own unique abilities. Added to the mix are five Human unit types: Infantry (Light and Heavy), Calvary, Seige and Archers. These, too, have their own strengths and weaknesses.

To produce Human units, their respective building must be built. A Builder unit is provided to complete this task. Each building has several resource costs associate with it. These resources can be glean by building specific buildings and through plundering defeated enemies. Resources are also needed to produce Human units.

Campaign mode is divided into three sections, one for each of the races. A loose story strings the battles together, and adds character to the Hero units, who are made up of gods & goddesses from the mythology of their respective races. Joining this is a customizable Skirmish mode, which provides a robust set of options for pick-up & play battles.

Overall, the game feels polished. The resources and buildings add a Age of Empires-like element that sets Mythologies apart from the tactical JRPGs it resembles. The rules, especially the unit interplay, are well-constructed; but here's where things go awry: the AI is terrible. Many of the long battles are made dull by uninteresting foes, who march heedlessly to their slaughter. This is compounded by boring maps, where terrain makes little difference and where difficulty is artificially inserted by foes who outnumber you three-to-one.

multiplayer

Here is where Mythologies earns its price-tag: the three-player multiplayer is fantastic. You have Nintendo Wi-Fi matches, local single-cart multiplayer and hot seat options. When facing off against another player, the flavor of the game comes out and the nuances of the rules are given their chance to shine. Battles tend to be long, so an on-the-go game this is not.

overall

Overall the game isn't bad. Given the turn-based strategy and JRPG competition on DS, this is rental territory. Those that buy Mythologies should do so if they appreciate its multiplayer merits.

7.0/10