Empires Apart

The gameplay of "Empires Apart" is often compared to classic RTS titles like Age of Empires, featuring familiar mechanics such as resource management, base-building, and combat, but with unique twists and diverse civilizations that enhance the experience. While many players appreciate the strategic depth and engaging multiplayer aspects, criticisms arise regarding technical issues, a lack of content, and a somewhat complex interface that can detract from the overall enjoyment. Overall, the game offers a solid foundation for RTS enthusiasts, though it requires further refinement to reach its full potential.

The music in the game has received widespread praise for its beautiful orchestral soundtracks that enhance the overall experience, with many players noting the memorable and stirring themes associated with different civilizations. While some reviews mention that the music may not be as catchy or enduring as that of older titles like Age of Mythology, the quality and fitting nature of the soundtracks are consistently highlighted as a strong point. Overall, the music is described as immersive and well-crafted, contributing positively to the game's atmosphere.

The game's optimization is widely criticized, with many players reporting severe performance issues, including stuttering, lag, and bugs that hinder gameplay. Despite some improvements from patches, the overall experience remains frustrating for a significant number of users, particularly on AMD CPUs. While a few players have had no issues, the consensus is that the game's poor optimization detracts from its potential enjoyment.

The game's stability is a significant concern among users, with many reporting persistent bugs, glitches, and issues with AI behavior and pathfinding. While some players acknowledge that the game has improved since its initial launch, they still describe it as "very buggy" and "incomplete," leading to a frustrating experience. Overall, despite its potential and enjoyable aspects, the game's stability remains a major drawback that detracts from the overall gameplay experience.

The game's story aspect is largely criticized for its absence, with many users noting the lack of a single-player campaign or a rich narrative experience. While the gameplay offers some personality through unique civilizations and randomized skirmish maps, players feel that additional quests and a more structured story would enhance the overall experience. Overall, the potential for a compelling story is recognized, but it remains largely unfulfilled.

The monetization system in the game is heavily criticized for its reliance on microtransactions, including loot boxes and paid civilization unlocks, which many players view as a cash grab. While some users appreciate that certain microtransactions are purely cosmetic and can be avoided, the overall sentiment leans towards dissatisfaction with the game's approach to monetization, especially in comparison to its inspirations like Age of Empires. Despite these concerns, a few players find the monetization acceptable within the context of a free-to-play model.

Players express mixed feelings about grinding in the game, noting that while it can be a free-to-play experience, the reliance on lootboxes and the potential for paywalls can feel exploitative. The AI's inconsistent behavior can complicate grinding, leading to either overwhelming aggression or a passive approach that detracts from strategic gameplay. Ultimately, grinding is seen as a necessary but potentially frustrating aspect, as it may shift the focus from strategy to simply accumulating upgrades.

The game's replayability is mixed; while competitive and RTS elements can encourage players to improve and continue playing, the lack of a campaign mode and limited content may diminish long-term interest. However, the inclusion of randomized maps in skirmish mode offers some replay value. Overall, the game's appeal largely depends on individual player interest and motivation.

The humor in the game is generally well-received, with players finding it easy and consistently funny, often highlighting its friendly interface. However, some reviews note that the humor can be overshadowed by gameplay issues, such as exploits and balance problems, which detract from the overall experience.

The atmosphere of the game is perceived as hostile, largely due to the developer's negative interactions with the community, including trolling and bans, which detracts from the overall experience.