Summary
- Release Year: 1984
- Genres: Real Time Strategy (RTS), Strategy
- Platforms: Amiga, Amstrad CPC, Apple II, Atari ST/STE, DOS, Mac, PC-8800 Series, PC-9800 Series
- Developers: Evryware
- Publishers: Brøderbund Software
The Ancient Art of War (1984): A Real-Time Strategy Pioneer
Released in 1984 by Broderbund, The Ancient Art of War is widely recognized as one of the first real-time strategy (RTS) games. Inspired by the classic Chinese military text The Art of War by Sun Tzu, the game tasks players with commanding armies in a series of historical battles.
Gameplay
The Ancient Art of War is a battlefield simulation game in which players control one of four types of units: Knights, Archers, Barbarians, and Spies. Each unit has its own strengths and weaknesses, and players must use them strategically to defeat their opponents.
Knights are powerful in melee combat, but they are weak against Archers. Archers are effective at attacking from a distance, but they are vulnerable to Barbarians. Barbarians are strong against Archers, but they are weak against Knights. Spies are unique in that they cannot attack, but they have a long range of sight and can be used to scout the battlefield and reveal enemy positions.
The game features a variety of different campaigns, each with its own unique objectives. Players can choose to play as one of several historical figures, including Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar, and Napoleon Bonaparte. Each historical figure has their own unique strengths and weaknesses, and players must adapt their strategies accordingly.
Innovation
The Ancient Art of War was groundbreaking for its time. It was one of the first games to feature real-time gameplay, in which players must make decisions and react to events as they happen. The game also featured a sophisticated AI that challenged players even on the highest difficulty setting.
In addition to its innovative gameplay, The Ancient Art of War also featured a number of other features that were ahead of its time. These features included:
- A fog of war system that limited players’视野，迫使他们探索地图并使用间谍来揭示敌人的位置。
- A supply line system that rewarded players for keeping their units close together and penalized them for spreading them out too thin.
- A training system that allowed players to upgrade their units and make them more powerful.
Legacy
The Ancient Art of War was a critical and commercial success, and it helped to popularize the RTS genre. The game has been praised for its innovative gameplay, challenging AI, and historical setting. It has also been cited as an influence on many later RTS games, including Warcraft, StarCraft, and Command & Conquer.
Conclusion
The Ancient Art of War is a pioneering RTS game that still holds up today. With its innovative gameplay, challenging AI, and historical setting, it’s a must-play for fans of the genre. Whether you’re a seasoned RTS veteran or a newcomer to the genre, The Ancient Art of War is a game that you won’t want to miss.
Additional Information
- The Ancient Art of War was developed by Evryware, a small software company founded by Ed Rotberg and Marc Blank.
- The game was originally released for the Apple II, but it was later ported to a number of other platforms, including the Commodore 64, Atari 8-bit family, and IBM PC.
- The Ancient Art of War was one of the first games to be inducted into the World Video Game Hall of Fame.
- The game has been praised by critics for its innovative gameplay, challenging AI, and historical setting.
- The Ancient Art of War has been cited as an influence on many later RTS games, including Warcraft, StarCraft, and Command & Conquer.
Review Score
8.5/10
