
In the first campaign, the player is simply a humble village elder, in charge of leading a nomadic tribe to settle down along the river. Notable monuments that can be built include the Great Wall of China, the Grand Canal connecting the Yellow and Yangzi Rivers, and the Terracotta Army. The seven campaigns of Emperor span nearly 3300 years of classical Chinese history, from the Xia Dynasty to the Jin dynasty. As such, building a monument generally requires that the city first establish a strong economy and military. The player can build defensive walls and man them with archers for improved defense.Įventually, the player may be required to build monuments, which are costly both in time and materials, giving enemies an opportunity to take advantage of possible weaknesses. Troops and guards are necessary to protect the city from military invasions and subterfuge. Unlike previous city-building games in the series, the player must respond to requests and standing of various other cities, rather than just maintaining favor of the monarch. But heroes can also be made very happy, which can prompt them to visit the city and confer benefits to it.īeyond the city itself, the player must pay heed to rivals and enemies. Principally, offerings are made to appease the heroes and prevent them from becoming angry and inflicting disasters upon the city. In the meantime, the player may elect to make offerings to the ancestral heroes, as well as prominent figures in Chinese philosophy, Daoism, and Buddhism. Beyond this, the player must manage trade and taxes in order to fund further development and expansion. If food and basic goods and services are provided in abundance, the city will eventually improve.

This involves keeping the populace well-fed, healthy, and safe from hazards. The most basic task in each mission is to maintain the city.

In competitive multiplay players take sides-or may be a side unto themselves-and fight for sole power over China.Main article: Series concepts and mechanics Players may need to collaborate in building one of China's engineering marvels or they may share a common goal to attain a certain level of affluence. A great variety of both collaborative and competitive multiplayer games will be offered. This is the world in which the player will take the reigns of leadership and take their cities through the twists and turns of Chinese history.Įmperor: Rise of the Middle Kingdom also offers gamers their first opportunity to play a city building game with their friends online via the Internet.

Leaving the Mediterranean behind the city-building series makes its first foray into Asia and immerses the player in brand new surroundings. Emperor: Rise of the Middle Kingdom takes aspiring city governors to ancient China adding several revolutionary features including multiplayer gameplay a first in the city-building genre.
