Summary Ye olde gameplay, DS size

Pros: -A pretty easy to use interface. -They [the developers] have transferred the class PC RTS to a turn-based game pretty seamlessly. -Decent number of units (although not what I'd like it to be). -4 full campaigns, plus skirmish mode for single person play. -Hot seat mode means you can play a 4 person round with only 1 DS and 1 cartridge (you literally pass around the console). Bonus points for that. -Multiplayer is fun -The unlockable maps and units give it some replay value. -A bonus library full of information on EVERYTHING in the game.
Cons: -Unit strategy is kind of limited (pikemen counter calvary, archers can shoot from a distance, etc.). -It isn't a RTS, and as such it plays kind of slowwwww.... -It claims to have 5 campaigns, when the first on (Franks) is actually a tutorial. Cheap... -The animations are frustrating and annoying, but thankfully you can turn them off.

Reviewer's Comments

A fun port of AoE: II for the PC, AoK captures the full essence of its' Windows brethren on a smaller scale.

The single player is fun with skirmish and campaign mode to boot. However, you're basically cheated out of the Frank campaign because the developers made it a simplistic tutorial, with no option to remove the hints.

The multiplayer is great. Matches can last quite some time though, depending on who you're playing (I had one last 4+ hours). Kudos to the guys who made the game for including a hot seat mode. Sweet!

Before I go, I will tell you this much: turn of the unit battle animations; it is fustrating to watch your units all get killed in detail when you can do NOTHING about it. GRRR!

Overall, it's a must buy for strategy fans like myself, and I would recommend at least a rental