GamePlay Mag Preview (9/10)
"Rise of Nations is simply superb. There is (more) depth here than any similar game I have ever played. The graphics and sound are superb, the gameplay is fresh, inspiring and rewarding and RON features a lasting challenge that oozes replay value (and I haven't even referred to multiplayer yet, however be assured that there are a myriad of modes, and a huge range of maps)."

Computer Games Magazine Preview
"Now comes Brian Reynolds and Big Huge Games' Rise of Nations. But is there room for yet another Civilization meets WarCraft experience? One look at Reynolds' new game strongly whispers the answer: 'Yes'...It's shaping up to be the sort of game during which you'll be saying 'Hey, I didn't realize you could do that!' an awful lot."

Adrenaline Vault Preview
"Any real-time strategy release needs something to stand out from the competition, and Rise of Nations has more than hype on its side...It contains more of everything than anything else does, be it options, technologies, historical epochs or civilizations to control."

PC Zone, April '03
"We've waited a long time for an RTS to truly push forward the boundaries of gameplay and in RoN we believe we have found what we've been looking for...Ultimately RoN offers so many ways to play and so many ways to win the game that it's hard to see how you would ever become bored of playing it."

To The Game Preview
"This is a very good RTS with a few new twists and great looks...it gives us exactly what we expect and want, in a very professional manner...I can without doubt say that this game combines the best of the RTS's out there. So, if you like RTS games don't let Rise of Nations slip by. Go out, buy it (when available) and set aside a week to play."

Firing Squad Preview
"Depending on the difficulty level, a match in Rise of Nations can be a leisurely romp to see who can win by Wonders of the World, or a hair-loss inducing juggling act between military, economic and technological advancements."

GameBiz AU Preview
"After playing the beta for 7 days straight one thing is for sure, I will be clearing my calendar for the release date of this game."

GMR Magazine Preview
"Rise of Nations promises to be the most complex real-time strategy - or the most action-packed turn-based empire builder - you've ever seen. In any case, it should be just what strategy fans want."

LoadedInc Preview
"Take your units, construct your buildings and advance through the time periods, it's a simple premise but a complex one to execute...There's no doubt that the BHG have spent a lot of time on the game's detail, especially the units. With the ability to zoom right in you can see every little detail of any unit and you'll get a sense of satisfaction seeing your units improve through the age advancement as their weapons move from crude sling shots to armoured soldiers...After playing this Beta for the last couple of weeks or so we think this is one game you should be watching out for."

HomeLan Fed Preview
"...based on the highly addictive beta version we sampled, strategy gamers have a lot to look forward to in Big Huge Games' debut title."

Request Magazine Preview (5/5)
"And although players can quickly finish dominating the world, they're likely to lose sleep in order to give it another go. This game is just that addictive."

UGO Preview
"Well, it looks like Rise of Nations will have no trouble standing up against the big three come this April. Few strategy games are as in-depth, varied and all out fun as Rise of Nations is looking to be. Racing through history is done smoothly and easily, though the insane opportunity for micromanagement might even convince the most staunch turn-based fanatics to give this RTS a shot."

Gamer's Pulse Preview
"While the game is still a ways from completion, the visuals are already top notch for an RTS...the single player campaign aims to please and seems like it will not disappoint. Technically, the game is solid as is and I cannot wait to see the graphics when the game is in its final form...Rise of Nations will indubitably please real time strategists around the globe with its unique mix of warfare and virtual diplomacy."

3DAvenue Preview
"All the successful elements found in previous Microsoft gems like Age of Mythology seem to be in full force, with even further detail thanks to the nicely balanced turn-based mode of play and the detailed array of ingame advancements. For the gamer who can not get enough RTS gaming, Rise of Nations should certainly be on your wish list."

Gamer's Depot Preview
"Rise of Nations is shaping up to be quite a nice package indeed...It's quite thrilling when you're racing someone else to develop nuclear weapons, or to develop technologies to protect your nation from them before they are used on you...Even this early on, the game is loaded with lots of new features we've never seen before...With so many nations to choose from and so many different eras to play through, Rise of Nations could be the best RTS title of the year. You can rest assured we'll be keeping our eyes on this one."

Action Trip Preview
"Rise of Nations has a very well-organized economy system that fits brilliantly into the gameplay...The camera gives you a decent survey of the entire map (you can zoom in and out whenever you wish), the environment is vivid and rich in detail, water surfaces look good, and the units and animals are beautifully animated...a combination of turn-based and real-time gameplay, might prove like a decent change in the strategy genre...Rise of Nations is going to be on shelves this Spring. After our experience with the beta, we can only say that we're truly looking forward to it."

Strategy Informer Preview
"Throw in superb 3D graphics & an excellent soundtrack and you have what I am sure, is going to be THE RTS game of the year, & will set the standard for others to follow. I shall be camping out at the shop for my copy on the release date and I advise you all to do the same."

Gameplanet NZ Preview
"Graphically, Rise of Nations is looking very nice indeed. Instead of going "ooh! I can do 3D too!", the designers have stuck to the tried and true 2D graphics approach and have concentrated on making it look very impressive. You won't get lost in the perspective, but you might find yourself staring at the impressive artwork - the unique styles of the various ages and the attention to detail looks dead set amazing."

Electric Playground Preview
"RoN plays like it was made by people who not only have a lot of experience designing such games, but are tremendous fans of the genre over all...RoN, in addition to being one of the deepest, yet flexible, RTS games ever, will come with a map editor...this game is already looking like a strong candidate for the best RTS of 2003. Yes, our expectations are that high after playing this game."

GameSpy Preview
"It's the gameplay innovations that should make Rise of Nations fresh and interesting...Rise of Nations will offer its own unique take on this fusion of strategy subgenres, most notably through the focus on cities and national borders...it's gratifying to see a developer modifying the time-worn traditional RTS formula with new and interesting concepts...The game's interface also looks very slick and colorful at this point, and it features some of the most extensive and helpful tool tips you're likely to find in a game."

PC Gamer, Marc '03
"...everything about it points to it being one of the best strategy games of the year...To say I'm excited about Rise of Nations is an understatement: right now it's at the top of my must-have RTS list."

GamePro Preview
"Billed as a 'real-time Civilization,' Rise of Nations sets itself to face down the hordes of historical RTS games dotting the PC landscape. It's armed with enough innovations to bridge the RTS and empire-building genres, though, and that could be enough to set it apart from the rest of the pack."

Computer Gaming World, March '03
"Judging by an early beta CGW has been playing for weeks, Big Huge Games' Rise of Nations appears to be on the verge of absolutely nailing the real-time strategy sweet spot in a way very few games have accomplished."

Gamers.com Preview
"Remember back in the day, when playing real-time strategy games felt like a constant, precarious, manic balancing act? Those days are back...Rise of Nations will likely be the most entertainingly complex, multi-dimensional real-time strategy game gamers have ever seen."

GameSpot Preview
"Rise of Nations seems more and more intriguing each time we see the game in action. Could this unusual game bridge the gap between turn-based strategy and real-time strategy? We'll find out when it's released this April."

PC.IGN Preview
"Why should you care? Well, that's easy. This title is an intriguing mix of the real-time immediacy of Age of Empires with a Civilization-like depth and sophistication. Although the game's main focus is on battlefield tactics, there's a tremendous amount of latitude to explore the economic and technological paths as well. And since these various elements can be used to improve your military position in the game, the best players will be those who can juggle economic development with scientific research and battlefield leadership."

The Wargamer Preview
"Taking cues from the cream-of-the-crop predecessors, while combining game play elements not typically found within any single game, a session of Rise of Nations feels both comfortably familiar and exhilaratingly new. The graphics and sound are rich and polished, the interface, by and large, is a textbook example of best RTS practices to date. The game play options are exhaustive, creative and amazing. There's something in Rise of Nations for the quick-wristed rushers and for the less agile, strategic thinker that prefers drawn-out diplomacy and legendary deceit over quick reflexes."

Rise of Nations Fanstock Review
"I'll quote the Official Website's description here: 'Conquer the World Campaign - This unique single player campaign lets you take over the world one territory at a time. Victory in each territory gives you tribute, special resources, or bonus powers to attack a strong enemy.'...What I can say here is that in my opinion, this is the feature that will keep players interested in this game for years to come. There are still a number of tweaks to be made to it, but even in its limited version I was incredibly impressed. In talking with Brian Reynolds about this later in the day he would say 'I thought to myself, wouldn't it be cool to have the #1 Real Time Strategy game and the #1 Turn Based Strategy game? Is it possible?' Based on what I have seen, it just might be."

GameSpy Beta 1 Preview
"This is not your father's real-time strategy game," "It's a detail junkie's dream."