Though perhaps a bit similar to its predecessor in terms of game-play to be truly revolutionary, Age of Empires II falls nothing short of masterpiece designation in isometric form. I have enjoyed the game’s representation of foliage since its release in 1999, and that of its expansion in 2000. This is a game in which trees and their product ‘wood’ are a major part of game-play. Indeed, wood is a centerpiece in the game and is required in almost every scenario.
One can see wood designated by the meticulously crafted piece of lumber, taking the primary position, prior to food, stone and other laughable excuses for resources. Wood is required for construction of all buildings, save for the castle and the obviously deficient stone wall; it is therefore the most important resource in the game.
The trees presented in this game, besides serving as the only source of wood, are also obstacles to troop movements. At times, one has to clear entire forests to get troops from one position to another, a process that takes a considerable amount of time, especially if one does not have siege weapons. These combined functions of trees in the game make for a truly integrated “forest experience” and a ‘tree-t’ for tree enthusiasts everywhere.
A note to the tree-huggers: As these are virtual trees, you need not worry about their demise, only the example they set.
In terms of appearance the trees, for their time, are very carefully crafted. Here you see an example of traditional European village forestation during winter.
But the game does not stop there! Indeed, there are representations of trees in rainforests and desert oases too; the former shown here. There are also trees near hills, trees near rivers, you name it.
This brings us to the third criterion in terms of rating, the identifiability of trees. As this game is somewhat older, it had not been exposed to the recent trends of tree enthusiasm during production, and should therefore not be shamed for including absolutely no documentation of trees and the rendering thereof. Despite the lack of documentation, one need only look once to identify the Quercus robur, the Cocos nucifera and the Pinus cembra.
So, a summary:
- Tree Involvement 5/5
- Tree Appearence 4/5
- Tree Identifiability 4/5
With all of this considered, I rate this game at a:
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Posts
All of this is fine and dandy, but do trees actually grow and blossom in this fine piece of software? I believe their lack of growth is an insult to the trees of the world whose main objective in life is to reach new highs and new horizons. Game developers slyly are cutting short our vegetable friends' ambitions; and I bet a fruit or two were split on this issue. This outrage can be masked by shiny graphics and other somewhat considerable amount of tree appreciation, but the essence, the essence! of life is lost and for that I can only weep copiously in my pillow.
ReplyDeleteNotwithstanding, Carthage must fall. Twice.
The mere mention of wanting to destroy any wooded plant to advance an army with haste is one such mention that no one should care to think about. Regardless of this grave oversight and your subsequent trip to a hell absent of anything green or brown, I find your article to be quite good, and I agree 97% with what the New York Times said on February 22nd.
ReplyDelete"A fine article written by a true proprietor of personal dendrology."
The only part I disagree with is that dendrology should be DENDROLOGY as it is one of the most important words in the english language.
PS:
Perhaps consideration should be given to reviewing this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQiSgWGAc24 It is regarded as a masterpiece and a yardstick in my tree-friend circles (the only circles I frequent).
I have a quarrel with the New York Times, they claim to respect virtual trees, but did you know that in a 1992 article they claimed that virtual dendrology would become nothing but the obsession of rich pseudo-scientists? Do I seem like a pseudo scientist to you? I'll have you know I am one of the most respected figures in V.D., having classified over 300 species and cataloged another 500. I didn't get my Bcomm degree to be laughed at by ivory-towered editors.
ReplyDelete