Rise of the Ancients

About

"Rise of the Ancients" is a real-time strategy game set in a mystical world where players build and manage their own civilization. Battles against AI or other players take place in dense forests, medieval towns, and dark caves, with a focus on strategic resource management and unit control. The game features 26 unique units and structures, 8 ancient races, and a variety of game modes including single-player, multiplayer, and co-op.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

35%

Audience ScoreBased on 108 reviews

music4 positive mentions

graphics3 negative mentions

Rise of the Ancients features rich lore and immersive storytelling that captivates players.
The game offers strategic gameplay with challenging puzzles that keep players engaged.
It is available at a very low price, making it accessible for those looking for a budget-friendly gaming experience.

The game suffers from occasional technical glitches and bugs that disrupt gameplay.
There is limited visual variety and the graphics are considered subpar by many players.
The linear progression and lack of exploration options can feel restrictive for players who prefer open-world experiences.

gameplay
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
45%
27%
The gameplay of "Rise of the Ancients" features strategic elements and challenging puzzles that encourage critical thinking and careful planning. However, players have reported occasional technical glitches that can disrupt the experience, along with a linear progression and limited exploration that may not appeal to those who prefer more open-world gameplay. Overall, while the game offers engaging mechanics, its execution is marred by technical issues and a lack of freedom.
- “⚔️ The game offers strategic gameplay elements and challenging puzzles that require players to think critically and plan their actions carefully.”
- “Strategic gameplay and challenging puzzles.”
- “Despite being a fairly glitchy incarnation of a well-overdone gameplay, it at least has the decency to offer interesting graphics.”
- “Some players may encounter occasional technical glitches or bugs while playing Rise of the Ancients, which can disrupt immersion and hinder gameplay progress.”
- “Some players may find the game's linear progression and limited exploration opportunities to be restrictive, particularly if they prefer open-world gameplay experiences.”
- “Gameplay is very rudimentary and unfinished.”
music
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
22%
33%
The music in the game is described as both calming and ominous, creating a memorable atmosphere that lingers in players' minds, even leading to vivid dreams and nightmares. While some appreciate the soundtrack and find it enjoyable, others criticize the volume control and excessive music, suggesting it detracts from the overall experience. Overall, opinions are mixed, with some praising the music as a highlight and others finding it overwhelming.
- “I relaxed for 5 minutes listening to this music, long enough to realize that I would be okay.”
- “Game of the year, hours of fun for the whole family, love the soundtrack.”
- “The soundtrack is decent too for such a low-quality game.”
- “The soundtrack is decent too for such a low quality game.”
- “Music (?) - you just want to turn it off somehow.”
- “The game sounds were just off, too much music, and no way to turn it down.”
graphics
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
38%
38%
The graphics of the game have received largely negative feedback, with many users describing them as cheap, glitchy, and poorly executed, reminiscent of outdated systems like the ZX Spectrum. While some players noted a few interesting visual elements and enjoyed the aesthetic briefly, the overall consensus is that the visuals are lackluster and hinder the gameplay experience.
- “Despite being a fairly glitchy incarnation of a well-overdone gameplay, it at least has the decency to offer interesting graphics.”
- “I would not recommend this game, although it has fancy graphics and chilled music which I really enjoyed during the six minutes I played it.”
- “The visuals are cheap and the game is lackluster.”
- “Graphics are worse than in ZX Spectrum games.”
- “The visuals are bad, the animations are made by someone who has no idea, and there are definitely better games out there in the 'tower defense' genre.”
story
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
60%
The story of "Rise of the Ancients" is praised for its rich lore and immersive storytelling, emphasizing themes of resilience and the unpredictability of life. While the narrative captivates players, some reviewers suggest that addressing technical issues and enhancing visual variety could improve the overall experience.
- “Moral of the story: you never know what life has in store for you, and if I had given up when all odds were against me, I wouldn't be where I am today.”
- “Rise of the Ancients boasts a captivating narrative filled with rich lore and immersive storytelling.”
- “While its rich lore and immersive storytelling shine, addressing technical glitches and introducing more visual variety could further elevate the gaming experience for players.”
- “The story feels disjointed and lacks a coherent narrative arc, making it hard to stay engaged.”
- “Character development is shallow, leaving players feeling disconnected from their motivations and struggles.”
- “The plot twists are predictable and fail to deliver any real surprises, diminishing the overall impact of the story.”
stability
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players report that "Rise of the Ancients" suffers from occasional technical glitches and bugs that can disrupt gameplay and immersion. Issues such as buggy unit and tower placements, unclear game mechanics, and unexpected losses detract from the overall experience, indicating a need for stability improvements.
- “Some players may encounter occasional technical glitches or bugs while playing Rise of the Ancients, which can disrupt immersion and hinder gameplay progress.”
- “Occasional technical glitches affecting gameplay.”
- “Buggy unit, buggy tower placement, lack of next-wave information, lack of description, buggy life - I have no idea what happened on level 3 when I just lost for no reason even after clearing the whole waves, or the game is supposed to end at wave 3.”
character development
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
150%
150%
Character development in "Rise of the Ancients" is highlighted by visually stunning environments and character designs, though some users note a limited visual variety in certain areas, which may affect the overall depth of character progression.
- “The character development in this game is incredibly deep and engaging, allowing players to form a strong connection with their characters.”
- “The progression system is well-designed, offering meaningful choices that impact the story and character growth.”
- “Each character has a unique backstory and personality, making the journey of development feel personal and immersive.”
- “Limited visual variety: While Rise of the Ancients features visually stunning environments and character designs, there may be a lack of visual variety in certain areas of the game.”
- “Character development feels shallow: The characters lack depth and complexity, making it hard to connect with their stories.”
- “Predictable character arcs: The character progression is often predictable, leading to a lack of engagement in their development.”
replayability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
300%
Users generally find the replayability of the game to be high, citing various factors such as multiple endings, diverse character choices, and dynamic gameplay elements that encourage players to experience the game in different ways. This variety keeps the game fresh and engaging, prompting players to return for new experiences.
- “The replay value of this game is incredible; every playthrough feels fresh and engaging.”
- “I love how each decision I make leads to different outcomes, making me want to replay it multiple times.”
- “With so many different paths and endings, this game offers endless replayability.”
- “The game lacks replay value; once you've completed it, there's little incentive to go back.”
- “After finishing the main storyline, I found no compelling reasons to replay the game.”
- “The limited choices and predictable outcomes make replaying the game feel tedious.”
humor
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Players appreciate the humor in the game, particularly highlighting the amusing addition of a funny skeleton character available in the points shop after two hours of gameplay.
- “If you play for 2 hours, you can unlock a hilarious skeleton character in the points shop.”
- “The humor in this game is top-notch, with witty dialogue and funny character interactions.”
- “I love how the game incorporates silly jokes and puns that keep me laughing throughout my playtime.”
emotional
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Players report a strong emotional impact, often feeling deeply moved by pivotal moments in the game, such as realizing the stakes involved, which can lead to tears and a profound connection to the narrative.
- “Tears welled up in his eyes when he realized what exactly was at stake.”
- “The story's depth made me reflect on my own life choices, leaving me emotionally shaken.”
- “I felt a profound connection to the characters, as their struggles mirrored my own experiences.”