Requirements: Multimedia PC with Pentium 166MHz or higher processor. Microsoft Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows NT 4.0 with Service Pack 5 operating system. 32 MB of RAM. 200 MB of hard disk space. Super VGA monitor supporting 800x600 resolution. Local bus video card that supports 800x600, 256 color resolution and 2 MB of VRAM. Quad-speed CD-ROM drive. Microsoft Mouse or compatible pointing device. 28.8Kbps modem (or higher recommended) for Internet or head-to-head play. DirectSound compatible audio hardware with speakers or headphones recommended. Da Introduction: Strap on your plate armor and grab your battle-axe - its time for the next installment of Ensemble Studios riveting RTS "Age of Empires" series: "Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings". If you're like me and ignored reality for hours on end playing the earlier installments in this series, then you're not going to be disappointed with the latest incarnation. I have played Age of Kings for many hours over the last few days, and it took considerable effort to pry myself away from the game long enough to pen this review. Overview: AOEII offers us 13 new civilizations (Byzantine, Celts, Chinese, English, Franks, Germans, Goths, Japanese, Mongols, Persians, Saracens, Turks and Vikings), each with its own distinct characteristics, and on a great new twist, story-based campaigns featuring figures out of history. The campaign scenarios included in the beta I have been playing included Joan of Arc, Saladin, Genghis Khan, and Barbarossa. The training scenario features William Wallace (of Braveheart fame) - whom I hope we will see more of in the Celtic campaign in the final version. These scenarios take you through the events that shaped the historical figure that is featured in the campaign and I think this is a perfect touch. It provides variety and builds a consistency between each campaign scenario that ties them together wonderfully. Da Graphics: The graphics are superb. The buildings are highly detailed and very well animated. The individual units move gracefully across the screen and its obvious a lot of time has been spent on perfecting these elements of the game. That said, I did notice the occasional glitch where an enemy unit would disappear in the midst of a melee making it harder to direct your troops. Since this is only the pre-release beta, I will hope this is something they intend to clean up in the final version. The map graphics look great as well, in keeping with the quality of the rest of the artwork. Da Sound: The sound has been improved from earlier versions - which already featured excellent sound in the first place. Normally the first thing I do with a game like this is turn off the music - with AOEII I let it run. The sprightly tune is entertaining and diverse enough that it compliments the game rather than forming a distraction. Combat: Naturally, each new civilization features its own unique units. I won't give any away yet other than to say you will love the Woad Raiders introduced in the training scenarios. I plan on having a lot of fun with these guys when it comes time to play online. The individual units can now be grouped and maneuvered as units (at least in some cases) and once grouped can be selected as a group. This makes directing your forces in a battle much more realistic and practical. Interestingly enough only those civilizations that fought in an organized manner appear to have this capability - although perhaps they evolve it during the course of play. The French and Mongol forces formed their units and moved across the battle field like clockwork, but the Saracen cavalry descended in a disorganized horde that required a lot of attention. Da Gameplay: The first AOE seemed like a natural progression from its predecessors (games like Warcraft and Warcraft II), offering improvements in graphics, learning trees, and above all, playability. As it has in every other area, AOEII follows the curve here as well. The game is eminently playable, well balanced, and even at the easy difficulty levels, fairly challenging. The new victory conditions allow you to dominate your opponent economically as well as militarily, and trading resources between allies is now an integral part of the game. The AI is now greatly improved with units moving naturally between locations, and - more importantly - attacking their foes logically rather than standing around like idiots unless directed to fight. All in all, the gameplay has improved enough that I think it sets a new RTS standard for balance, ease of play, and enjoyability. This game has tremendous promise and judging by the beta, Ensemble Studios plans to deliver on that promise. If you love Real Time Strategy games, the "The Age of Kings" is an absolute MUST BUY!