I really like this game. Although it had to make compromises from the real time PC version, I think it's a nice compromise. The DS version keeps a lot of the same features of the PC version - like constructing buildings (including wonders), researching technology, and massing an army of different types of soldiers. I'm running through the campaigns which are enjoyable. Unlike the PC version, there are only five different cultures - Franks (French), Japanese, Mongols, Saracens and English. Wish there were more, or that they release another game with other cultures. It's a older game (2006), so the graphics aren't stunning, but the game play is easy and they have a tutorial to help you learn the ins and outs. You could play either using the stylus or just the buttons. I really like the strategy involved for the different scenarios. Overall, it is an enjoyable version of Age of Kings that is portable.

First of all, let me say that the PC version is amazing. Since it was so good on the PC I just had to get this version. But, this game has only 5 civlizations, is very slow going and it plays in turns! It does however have good picture and has cartoon battle scenes and works well. But, it takes so long to play the game that its not really fun. I know the PC version took a while to play but, it was fun building your nation and not like in this version where you move a few soliders and then have to wait for every one else to take there turn. If you get this game for your six year old he might like all the fighting scenes but he will probly get bored with the actual game.
But, your six year old will probly like the PC version if you're ok with them playing a game with just a little blood in it. But if you're an adult you DEFINETLY should buy the PC version.

Advance Wars has always dominated in turn based strategy and in my opinion still does and then there was fire emblem which advanced intelligent systems turn based empire even bigger but then came age of empires. Age of empires is not too far away from advance wars but it gives a average presentation. The first level has you wanting more but then again you get to pick which level to go on.

You see there are five heroes to choose from and you can take any road you want from Joan of Arc to Saladin, they all are interesting in fact they feel amazing and oddly enough they don't get repetitive seeing as to how you play with them through five missions each. Although you can go back to the levels after you've finished them.

The landscapes are pretty with pretty high quality when you fight on them in the actual battles yet its not the lands they mess up on but the lack of weather. Rain nor Snow is in the game which makesthe landscape put down to a bare minimum but it isn't all too thin.

The fighting is above average with clanking of the swords and other attacks that have there own sounds to them. Though the biggest problem in the game can be with there sound, no not the sword fights but the music. After fighting a battle you can hear one of two sounds. If you win a fight you hear a type of victory sound but if you lf you lose one you hear a type of defeat sound. Yet there is no draw sound when you have two samurai's clahing with 5 health left each. Even though that almost is never the case the sounds get repetitive after fishing about one hero's campaign. What's even more troubling is that the hero's never say anything which is the only downside to them.

The fighting is one thing that never wears down. You have a vast array of units and unlike advance wars you buy even more units. There is a rock paper scissors kind of feel like fire emblem. A few times if your opponent is weak enough you may be able to defeat a strong type of unit with a weak one but that usually is not the case. The thing about the game that made it most interesting is that you start at one age and can end up on another one. Your men also advance themselves you can start with militia all the way to two handed swordsman this can be fun to watch.

The multiplayer is ok but it feels tired as the you've all done it before in campaign. The only difference is you can fight heroes against heroes but even then it doesn't feel epic seeing as to certain heroes have advatages against one another. For instance when using saladin against Richard the lionhearted you can easily defeat him as your men by your side posses pike which take down horses well so it is best to fight with people who don't have an advantage over one another but when with 4 people someone will have the advantage.

Replay value is pretty bare seeing as to how after you've finshed the campaigns you will have most of the stuff and while plenty of unlockables you really feel for more heroes. The game is ambitious but no matter how hard it tries it doesn't out do advance wars but mark it that it is way deeper and it makes the game fun by adding a little history lesson in. The game even with it's flaws deos not get old quickly in fact I'm not even a fan of turn based yet I'm not bored with it. A beautiful game that has flaws but really shines.