4 stars (Expansion value for kids) - Firstly, I have already reviewed Rise of Nations; it is excellent and the expansion pack makes it better. If you don't have either RON, or if $$ doesn't matter then go for Gold and get the best. However, my situation is that I bought the expansion pack as an 'extra' for my children (who love RoN) and for them this expansion pack was NOT good value. Other expansion packs we have bought (notably age of empires and age of empires II) have added to the game play in significant 'game changing' ways. The RoN expansion does have new nations and new unique units; as one reviewer says if you are a 'thinking man' these new subtleties are an interesting nut to crack. But if you are a 'thinking child' the differences are too subtle (or complex) to fully grasp. The senate is comprehensible; the distinctions between the different generals really isn't. The biggest disapointment was the campaigns. In age of kings each new campaign had introduced my children to a piece of history with which they became fascinated. RoN does have a good campaign system which I raved about before. However the expansion pack is really just the same thing with the countries relabeled. There are a couple of new tweaks but nothing in the campaigns themselves to render them as immersive as the AOK versions. All in all, the expansion pack makes a brilliant game better. But viewed as an expense almost equivalent to a new game, I cannot recommend this UNLESS you have a deep and thorough grasp of the underlying subtleties of the original version. 4 stars (Great game, the six campaigns need some work) - Ive played this game a lot over time and have found it to be a very fun game. Good battle graphics and realistic aspects to running your nation. However, the 6 newer campaigns have limited scenarios and are too simple. The normal campaign doesn't have enough regions to conquer. Despite these downsides, the campaign is still loads of fun, especially the new world and cold ... Microsoft :: Military (Wargames :: Historical (historic) Recreation (Recreations) :: Strategy (Strategic) :: Action :: Computer Games :: :: Rise of Nations- Thrones - Patriots Expansion Pack
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