In the huge range of missions, there are both serious battle sequences and others designed for pure comedy.
"The `variety mode' gave designers a chance to show their comic potential, presenting gamers with all kinds of absurdities," said Dell Yu (
Anno1503: The New World
(1503
Type: Real Time Strategy and City Building
Distributor: EA Taiwan (美商藝電)
Platform: English or Chinese for PC
Taiwan release: April 5
As we might expect, Anno1503 takes players back rather further in history than Dessert Storm or Somalia. Here, gamers find themselves involved in creating a New World.
The adventure of discovery provides the basic structure of this game -- find resources, build a power base and ultimately establish an empire.
The game world is divided into four climatic regions and has nine ethnic groups who strive for dominance. "The different races must adapt to the world that they find themselves in, making the best use of their own unique qualities.
They must understand not just themselves, but also the other races, so that they can establish mutually advantageous relationships and trade links.
Conflict takes place both on land and sea. One of the most important objectives is to keep trading convoys or caravans protected from other groups who want to cut into the trade. "Much of the combat procedure is taken care of automatically so that players are able to manage extremely complex strategies quickly and simply, at the same time learning something of some major land and sea battles of that period," said Antonio Lu (
There is also a visual feedback system in which the computer automatically provides suggestions to the player as to how best to manage his empire. "This takes place automatically, working through the images and the music that is presented to the gamer," said Jack Lin, general manager of EA Taiwan. "For example, if the food supply falls short, you will see on screen people gathering at the markets, and the sound effects will also emphasize the unrest among the community."
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