Armies of Exigo add another RTS to the list of many on the PC, but adds a few new elements of style and unique additions to the real time strategy (RTS) genre. Armies of Exigo is a fantasy RTS that utilizes elves, beasts, knights, and creatures of darkness locked in an epic battle for survival. There are three different armies; The Empire (knights, wizards, elves), The Beast (ogres, trolls, lizardmen), and the Fallen (dark elves, fallen knights, creatures of the deep). Users will be able to control massive armies, wage wars, then descend into the catacombs and caves to face off against the dark evil. The single player campaign is broken into three parts each with new classes and enemies to deal with.

The rich 3D graphics are detailed and awe-inspiring. From the detailed character classes that are easily distinguishable from a far or up close, to the gorgeous environments like volcanic depths. The lighting and special effects are stunning, especially when spells are cast. You will be able to blow up bridges, create avalanches, and cast spells that can take out entire armies. What’s more, it is amazing to watch such scenes without the annoyance of slow down or frame rate dipping. This holds true here, even when there are tons of enemies on the screen. Most captivating are the enormous boss battles you will encounter, bringing back many ancient spawns of ancient legend. All the graphical wonder is polished off by some amazing CGI scenes before each plot point.

Audio is made up of an epic score and dazzling sound effects. This is most apparent if you have access to 5.1 Dolby digital speakers. The voice acting in the cut scenes are top notch even though no real recognizable actors provide the voice work. The ambient sounds and special effects are awesome, especially when you hear the cries of many enemies as a bolt of lighting spreads them apart. The musical score rounds out the great audio with music that sets the tone for battles and strategies alike.

Game play relies heavily on resources and loot. If you run short on either of these, you can just punch your own ticket. On the surface, the basic elements of your typical RTS show its face through and through. Building armies, setting up troops, and taking over land are all fine and dandy. Even with the acquisition of up to 200 units at one time, you may at first think this is just another RTS. What Armies of Exigo adds is the element of mining and digging to bypass dangerous poisons, land blockades, and other obstacles that keep you from getting to a destination that could mean victory. This system is brought to you by a dual map screen that shows the goings on of activities above and below ground. There are other subtle features that Armies also brings to the table, but this one stands out the most.

Once you have completed the single player missions, you can battle with up to 12 others in four multiplayer modes. Melee, Arena, Mission, and Free For All are at your fingertips and grant more longevity to the games lengthy single player mode.

One thing is certain, if you can pry yourself away from many of the major titles that hit this holiday season, and you are a fan of the RTS genre, there may be no reason to miss this overlooked, yet amazingly solid RTS from EA. It is easy to pick up and play, it is gorgeous, and it provides a few new elements yet seen by fans of RTS games.