There is a new Real Time Strategy game on the market and it wants nothing more from you than take up all of your time. This game is entitled Armies of Exigo and it is developed by Blackhole Games. What new features does this RTS offer that others don’t, and does this game have what it takes to keep you entertained during this busy holiday season? Read on to find out!

Just like all other strategy games, players will have to keep up with three different resources. In this game it is Wood, Gold, and Gems. If you are lacking in any one of these resources, it can mean the difference between life and death in any given situation. Another feature popular in RTS games is the ability to create groups of units. This was a huge thing several years ago when it was first introduced, but this game allows you to make Super Groups out of the groups. So many times I wished I could have done this in other games because it is very useful in many different situations, and this game does it flawlessly.

That can't be good!

Just like many other RTS games that have been released recently there are three different sides battling to win: The Empire, Fallen, and Beasts, and they each balance each other out. The Empire is composed of the “humans,” of the world, contains elves, knights, and other humans. The Fallen are mystical creatures from the underground. Their ranks contain dark elves, fallen knights, and other dark creatures of the underworld. The Beasts are strong enemies that are very smart and use magic wisely. They are bent on revenge against the Empire since they defeated them in the last war. Just like many other games, depending on what side you choose you will get a little different game experience, due to their different strategies.

One of the most interesting features in this game is the ability to fight on two totally different planes. This game has a dual layer map system, which means that it has a surface and an underground map, which bring a whole new level of strategy to you. First of all you can get around to many different parts of the map because of the catacombs that go underneath the mountains above you. If players use this wisely they might even be able to have a surprise attack against the enemy, but they have to be aware that the enemy can do the same to you.

An army on the march.

The developers of Armies of Exigo have taken a cue from many other RTS games by having a very nice CGI intro. This intro movie really helps get players ready to fight against the many different enemies that they will face. One of the best things about this game is that it is possible to have up to 200 units you team. So if you want to see some truly epic battles, all you have to do is have enough resources and hope that your enemies have enough as well, to have a battle that could be reminiscent of a scene from the Lord of the Rings.

The sound used for this game is also really well composed. Every time the music picks up before a battle or when you are in town doing the mundane things of RTS games, it will move you to continue to play the game. The voice acting in this game is not the best I have heard, but it does get the job done, and it never really gets on your nerves.

Look at the detail.

Just like all other RTS games, if you do not have a multiplayer feature, you will not last long, but thankfully Armies of Exigo does have one. In order to play online you will have to have a GameSpy account which takes less than five minutes to set up. Once you have set that you will be able play online in these modes: Capture the Flag, Melee, King of the Hill of Skirmish, which is all standard stuff for this type of game. I just wish that the developers would have created some more unique and innovative modes that take advantage of the multilayer maps more so.

Armies of Exigo is rated T for Teen for blood and violence.

The system requirements are:
1.5 GHz or better
384 MB of RAM
8X of faster CD/DVD ROM
Windows 98/ME/2000/XP
DirectX 9.0c
64 MB of VRAM
1.5 GB of Hard Drive Space
Keyboard and Mouse

Gameplay: 8.5
If you have ever played any RTS game you will pick up Armies of Exigo in no time. One good thing is that players will face little to no slow down even with a huge battle going on in the middle of the screen.

Graphics: 8.9
Armies of Exigo is really a gorgeous game! Everything is dripping with details, including all of the different buildings and units.

Sound: 8.7
The music for this game is pretty good and it sets the mood before you go into battle. The voiceovers are not the best in the world, but they are tolerable.

Difficulty: Medium
The missions proved to be challenging, but if you have ever played any previous RTS game you should be able to have no problem.

Concept: 8.5
I applaud the developers for adding some unique additions to the standard Real Time Strategy formula.

Multiplayer: 7.5
The multiplayer aspect of this game is really weak, it offers the only the standard multiplayer game types. I think that the developers could have created some truly unique experience!

Overall: 8.6
If you like RTS games then you will enjoy Armies of Exigo, because it adds a few new things to the genre. I suggest that if you are aching for an RTS to play this winter you should look into this game.