In 'Rise of Legends,' the main campaign mode takes place throughout the perilous world of Aio. Titles such as 'Rise of Legends' are referred to as 'real-time' strategy games because there isn't a break in the action for you to make tactical decisions (as with 'turn-based' strategy games, including the 'Civilization' series).
Once new structures, fighter units and vehicles are created, it's time to explore the map, battle enemy factions and research new technologies to aid in your fight. In case you haven't played a point-and-click strategy game, you first choose a side to the conflict before collecting natural resources to fuel base building (in 'Legends,' it's a glowing blue rock known as timonium). Microsoft Game Studios' strategy epic doesn't stray far from what made its 2003 predecessor, 'Rise of Nations,' a critical success, but the fantasy sci-fi theme introduces fun and inventive units, weapons and vehicles. Toss your 'Saving Private Ryan,' 'Lord of the Rings' and 'The Terminator' DVDs into a blender and you'll end up with something like 'Rise of Nations: Rise of Legends,' a cinematic war game that pits magic-wielding creatures against fierce machines.
