Empires

About

Empires is a multiplayer economy shooter game with economy and science fiction themes. It was developed by Empires and was released on July 28, 2008. It received positive reviews from players.

Unique strategy/first person shooter mix: One commander on each team plays from above, choosing research, placing buildings and giving orders. The rest fill the role of soldiers on the ground, with four distinct classes to choose from and customizable vehicles to drive.

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89%

Audience ScoreBased on 708 reviews

gameplay29 positive mentions

atmosphere2 negative mentions

Unique hybrid gameplay combining FPS and RTS elements with deep strategic and tactical depth.
Customizable vehicles and diverse infantry classes add variety and replayability.
Active small community with ongoing development and enjoyable teamwork-focused matches, especially on weekends.

Very low player base leading to mostly empty servers and difficulty finding matches.
Dated graphics and aging Source engine visuals may deter modern players.
Steep learning curve and sometimes toxic or unwelcoming community hinder new player retention.

gameplay
63 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
46%
49%
5%
The gameplay in Empires offers a unique and engaging blend of FPS and RTS elements, featuring extensive vehicle customization, strategic depth, and team-oriented mechanics that foster tactical gameplay and teamwork. While infantry roles can be somewhat simple and occasional technical issues persist, the mod's combination of base building, large-scale battles, and emergent gameplay makes it highly replayable and distinctive. Its well-structured maps, dynamic research trees, and active community contribute to a rich, addictive experience despite an aging player base.
- “You can see in the screenshots that you can customise vehicles in many ways: different weapons, different armour types, different engines, even down to how much armour you put on specific parts of your vehicle, and even a weight system limiting what you put on the vehicle, allowing for interesting tactical gameplay elements.”
- “This game has more raiding, pushes, and mechanics like turrets, walls and vehicle customization that make it pretty unique.”
- “Empires is a well made FPS/RTS with very well made maps, and a well structured open battlefield type gameplay that makes vehicles an integral yet welcome addition to the accommodating maps, while for the most part still leaving a decent amount of gameplay options for the guy who still just wants to run and gun.”
- “Unfortunately infantry gameplay can be rather simple at times, you have 4 roles.”
- “The shooting is decent enough by modern standards, the vehicle gameplay is pretty solid, the base construction isn't too bad, but the one thing that lets this game down more than anything else is the player base.”
- “This game has frustrating and annoying game mechanics.”
graphics
33 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
64%
15%
The graphics are widely regarded as dated and mediocre by modern standards, often seen as a drawback that may deter new players. However, many reviewers feel that the visual simplicity does not significantly detract from the gameplay and even adds to the game's unique charm. While not comparable to AAA titles, the graphics are considered adequate for an older Source engine-based game, with patches occasionally improving visuals.
- “The game has aged a lot graphics wise, but it is still incredibly fun to play (when you find a server)!”
- “The graphics are a little dated, but patches are released to improve them. Play this for gameplay, because it is where it shines best, the commander.”
- “It is a Valve multiplayer HL2 modification, with awesome graphics and vehicles!”
- “This has some fairly mediocre and dated looking graphics that will understandably be a turn off for a lot of gamers, and it's a big contributor to the failure of the game to attract gamers despite having no up-front cost.”
- “The graphics are dated, the engine is old, and if they cannot play a purple-haired-furry skin then it just is not avant-garde enough for their perversions.”
- “The steep learning curve and dated graphics may deter some players.”
stability
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The game and its Empires mod experience occasional technical glitches and bugs, though overall they remain fairly stable and playable. While some maps and mechanics can be challenging or slightly buggy, the mod generally runs smoothly without major issues.
- “The game itself does suffer from the old Source engine problems and hasn't aged well, but it's still a decent, fairly bug-free game.”
- “Very good mod for games that have the HL2 engine, have fun figuring out the commander and not getting sniped or shot at every 10 minutes. Most of the maps are big and the vehicles are not buggy.”
- “Its a little glitchy and buggy at times, but otherwise its great.”
- “Technical issues: empires mod might have technical glitches and bugs that can disrupt the gameplay experience.”
atmosphere
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
67%
The atmosphere is characterized by a friendly, game-focused community that encourages playful interaction, but is somewhat marred by veteran players whose behavior can alienate newcomers, resulting in a mixed overall impression.
- “Players are really nice and like to fool around sometimes, and I really like that atmosphere of a small, game-centered community.”
- “However, a lot of the "veterans" of the game create an atmosphere which quickly turns away potential new players.”
- “Atmosphere 6/10”
humor
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's humor is highlighted by its lively, often toxic but entertaining community, where experienced players engage in playful banter and arguments that create memorable and amusing interactions. While the humor adds to the game's charm, it may be a divisive factor for some players.
- “In short, best game ever but it's still a coin flip for a recommendation, isn't life funny.”
- “Funny people to talk with and play at nights when it was still alive and more popular.”
- “While the community may be toxic, it is toxicly funny as us vets turn and rant at each other, after arguing at new people, and create spectacles as 2 vets argue continuously about whose fault it was (hint: it was the new person's).”
story
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
100%
The game's story is minimal but set in an intriguing fictional universe between two warring nations, with hints of a well-developed backstory. While the narrative is not the main focus, its steampunk atmosphere and underlying lore add depth to the experience.
- “The game is set in its own fictional universe between two warring nations. There isn't much of a story, but this is one of those mods I would have bought if it were a commercial game!”
- “The perks system is somewhat rudimentary but still rewarding, and the entire game has a pleasant steampunky feel to it, even providing snippets of a seemingly well thought out backstory.”
- “There isn't much of a story; the game is set in its own fictional universe between two warring nations.”
- “The story is a sad tale of hardship but lacks depth and engagement.”
- “The perks system is rudimentary and the backstory is only hinted at, not fully developed.”
replayability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game offers deep strategic options and multiple playstyles, resulting in high replayability and sustained engagement.
- “The depth of strategy enhances replayability and keeps the gameplay engaging.”
- “There are many ways to play this game, and the replay value is endless.”
optimization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's optimization emphasizes performance-based progression, ensuring all players start equally but are rewarded for skill. While some veterans criticize new players' leadership, attributing declining interest to poor communication, this is a contested viewpoint and not universally accepted.
- “Everyone starts off equal in ability and rank, but the game rewards your performance.”
- “A lot of veterans believe the game is dead or dying due to new players' performance as commanders (noted on multiple occasions that vets would blame bad communications for the reason why people would turn away from this game). This is simply not the case.”
emotional
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is praised for its heartfelt and emotionally engaging experience, complemented by a warm and supportive community.
- “Awesome game with heartwarming community.”
grinding
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users find grinding in the game can occasionally feel lonely, tedious, and confusing, impacting overall enjoyment during repetitive tasks.
monetization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game features a free-to-play model with no microtransactions, offering a fully accessible experience without additional costs.