Tag: Empire Earth

Empire Earth 2: The Beauty of the Parthenon

The Parthenon in Empire Earth 2.

Empire Earth was released some 20 years ago and the yet the game is an amazing piece of software engineering and artistry. While Empire Earth is still a classic game, I prefer Empire Earth 2 simply because it combines the original with the Civilization series. This is a similar change that seems to occur to many games in their second iterations. Generally speaking, the original is the rough experimentation and sometimes it becomes more complex or less complex. Empire Earth 2 is the more complex approach and it is truly magnificent game with some rough edges around it.

The building of the Parthenon in Empire Earth 2.

Empire Earth 2 was a beefy game when it came out in 2005. In comparison with other RTS games, it sought to have a holisitic approach and combine many genres together. The original game was somewhat more RTS than a TBG(Turn-based game). Empire Earth was more about giving the player control and the emphasis on being a grander version of Age of Empires.

Empire Earth 2’s weather effects are a remarkable aspect of this game. Often video games in the contemporary era seem to shy away from such effects, choosing instead to focus on streamlining the experience.

Empire Earth was made in a time when streamlining was mostly something that one saw in console ports not in the PC market. Gaming on the PC was still its own hidden world, one that was separate from the consoles. It was the equivalent of finding a huge city in an endless stream of jungles. Empire Earth 2 had the privilege of having been right at the peak of PC gaming before it became too mainstream and would have its edges smoothed out by an influx of new players.

The Parthenon in this game is a true testament to this game’s beauty.

Sometimes, the best games are found in the past not the present.

While it may not young anymore, it still shines brightly and that why I enjoy playing this game and share it online with gamers.

Empire Earth 2: The Design of the Futuristic Capitals.

Empire Earth 2, the successful sequel to Empire Earth turned 20 years in April 2025. However, this game has become obscure while the original is having an active community on YouTube and Reddit. This site seeks to remedy that and provide more context to understand the beauty of this amazing game. Empire Earth 2 is a more strategic game than the original, but it is no less amazing in its gameplay and graphics.

Empire Earth 2 is a game that seeks to overtake its predecessor, and it was quite successful at release. However, the video game industry recently has been focusing on retrenchment over new games. The sequel has been languishing in obscurity. The game is well worth one’s time to play and there is a simple reason for it: the aesthetics of its future ages.

In Empire Earth, there were three future ages but they were underdeveloped. Even in the Space Age, introduced in Empire Earth: The Art of Conquest was somewhat of a letdown and wasn’t as interesting as it could have been.

Empire Earth 2 gives much more character to the future ages than in the original game.

What I appreciated the most was the effort put into the Asian capital buildings in the game. The screenshot above is the Asian Capital building in the Genetic Age.

While Empire Earth 2 may not be most advanced game now, one can see the great efforts in the way how the developers were approaching this game.

I wish the video game industry still would have this level of respect for details and efforts when making their virtual experiences for the players.

Empire Earth vs Empire Earth 2: Two Games of Contrast

Empire Earth and its sequel are a study in contrasts. There are two games that represent differing ideas about what a game is. Empire Earth attempts to represent the classic RTS genre while Empire Earth 2 is attempting to chase after a new audience while being able to please the fans.

Empire Earth is about tactics and free form in its nature. It is a game that allows you build buildings anywhere.

Empire Earth 2 is more about strategic thinking and planning. The game integrates Civilization style scale with the RTS style.

Which game is better here?

Empire Earth at this point in time has remained the more popular of the two. On YouTube, Empire Earth 2 is largely obscure, only going due to the efforts of a few users.

Empire Earth however retains a thriving multiplayer scene. While not as lively as it once was in the past, there are significant number of players who enjoy it.

What is the reason for Empire Earth 2 being more obscure now? I believe it has to do with the overcomplication of the game.

Sometimes reinventing the wheel can be exciting but you are wasting money while your rivals are using tried and true technology which works now.

Empire Earth 2 attempts to put the Civilization series onto the structure of a RTS game.

Empire Earth knew what it was. The main selling point was the movement through history. That is what mattered to the players.

Empire Earth 2 was too much of a leap and Empire Earth was the comfy home which had the warm cookies made by your mom.

Many video games struggle with this. How much change should a game have? Sometimes its best to refine than to create something from scratch.

Empire Earth’s longevity as a game is a testament to the excellent structure and gameplay. It truly is a game that means what it says: Epic is too small a word.

The wide as an ocean and shallow as puddle worked just right for Empire Earth. That is why players continue to play and enjoy it.