Age of Empires: The Rise of Rome vs Empire Earth: The Art of Conquest
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, ratings, and alternatives.
Age of Empires: The Rise of Rome is the acclaimed expansion to the classic real‑time strategy classic, adding new civilizations, units, and technologies set in the ancient world. Players command Romans, Greeks, Carthaginians, and more, mastering resource management, tactical combat, and empire building across single‑player campaigns and multiplayer battles. The expansion refines the original engine with improved AI, balanced gameplay, and richer historical scenarios, delivering a deeper and more immersive RTS experience for both veterans and newcomers.
Empire Earth: The Art of Conquest is the official expansion pack to the classic real-time strategy game, developed by Mad Doc Software and published by Sierra Entertainment. Building upon the foundation of the original game, this expansion introduces thrilling new strategic dimensions including unique civilization powers, distinct hero units, and two new playable civilizations: Japan and Korea. Players can immerse themselves in three distinct narrative-driven campaigns that span vastly different eras, taking them from the legendary battles of Ancient Rome through the global conflicts of World War II all the way to futuristic warfare on 24th Century Mars. With new units and expanded tactical options, it delivers a comprehensive challenge for strategy enthusiasts.
- Rich historical content
- Diverse civilizations with unique units
- Improved AI over the base game
- Strong multiplayer community
- Adds compelling new civilizations like Japan and Korea
- Engaging campaigns spanning diverse historical and futuristic settings
- Introduces game-changing civilization powers and hero units
- Expands the strategic depth of the original Empire Earth
- Graphics are dated by modern standards
- Limited to PC platform
- Campaign length can feel short for some players
- Graphics have aged significantly since its 2002 release
- Can be difficult to run on modern operating systems without community patches
- Balancing issues present in certain multiplayer match-ups
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The Verdict
AI-generated from listing dataAge of Empires: The Rise of Rome offers a tighter, higher‑rated classic RTS experience with solid multiplayer, while Empire Earth: The Art of Conquest gives a cheaper, broader‑era game but with dated graphics and stability quirks.
Key differences
- •Rise of Rome adds four distinct ancient civilizations; Art of Conquest adds only two newer ones (Japan, Korea).
- •Art of Conquest spans from Ancient Rome to 24th‑century Mars; Rise of Rome stays within ancient history.
- •Price: Rise of Rome $49.99 vs. Art of Conquest $19.99.
- •Critic scores: 85/100 for Rise of Rome, 73/100 for Art of Conquest.
- •Art of Conquest may need community patches to run on modern OS; Rise of Rome has no such note.
Gameplay & fun factor
Rise of Rome’s revised AI and four unique civs deliver deeper tactical play per its higher critic score.
Platform availability
Both are PC‑only titles; no other platforms listed.
Price & value
$19.99 vs. $49.99 makes Art of Conquest a cheaper entry despite lower review scores.
Multiplayer / co‑op
Rise of Rome supports up to eight players and notes a strong multiplayer community.
Content & replayability
Art of Conquest covers ancient to futuristic eras, offering more varied campaigns than Rise of Rome’s ancient focus.
Difficulty & accessibility
Rise of Rome’s improved AI provides a more challenging yet realistic opponent, enhancing skill development.
Graphics & performance
Both have dated graphics; however Art of Conquest is noted as harder to run on modern OS, offsetting its visual edge.
Choose Age of Empires: The Rise of Rome if…
Players who prioritize solid AI, strong multiplayer, and classic ancient‑era RTS experience.
Choose Empire Earth: The Art of Conquest if…
Players who want a lower‑cost game with campaigns across many eras and accept possible compatibility work.
Common questions
Which game is cheaper?
Empire Earth: The Art of Conquest costs $19.99, while Age of Empires: The Rise of Rome costs $49.99.
Do both support multiplayer?
Yes, both offer single‑player and multiplayer modes; Rise of Rome supports up to eight players.
Will either need patches to run on a modern PC?
Art of Conquest may require community patches for modern OS compatibility; no such requirement is noted for Rise of Rome.