Zeus: Master of Olympus

Last updated

Zeus: Master of Olympus
Master of Olympus - Zeus Coverart.png
Developer(s) Impressions Games
Publisher(s) Sierra Studios
Producer(s) Ken Parker
Designer(s) Chris Beatrice
Programmer(s) Mike Gingerich
Artist(s) Darrin Horbal
Writer(s) Lisa Gagnon
Composer(s) Henry Beckett
Keith Zizza
Series City Building
Platform(s) Microsoft Windows
Release
  • NA: October 16, 2000 [1]
  • EU: November 17, 2000
Poseidon: Master of Atlantis
  • NA: June 25, 2001
  • EU: August 24, 2001
Genre(s) City-building
Mode(s) Single player

Zeus: Master of Olympus is a single-player strategy game developed by Impressions Games and published by Sierra Studios. [2] It is considered to be an additional installment in the City Building series of games. [3] Like previous titles in the series, Zeus focuses on the building and development of a city in ancient times. The game features a number of changes from previous titles in the series, including being set in Ancient Greece as well as changes to certain gameplay mechanics; however, it is considered to be in most aspects very similar to its predecessor, Caesar III . [4] [5] [6] [3]

Contents

Game setting and mechanics

Zeus is set in a mythical version of ancient Greece and features many of the gods from the Greek pantheon and legendary monsters from ancient Greek mythology. The game chooses not to accurately portray the historical setting in which it is based, choosing instead to include elements based on mythology and anachronisms. [7] [3]

The player is in charge of building up and governing a city state which requires managing infrastructure, farming, industries, commerce, religion, entertainment and education, as well as wars with rival cities. [4] Monsters from Greek mythology feature in the form of natural disasters which must be managed by the player, typically by hiring the correct hero. [8] Sufficiently worshiping the Greek gods will cause them to bestow blessings on the player's city which provide a material benefit. [2]

The game features 2D graphics and offers an isometric view of the game world. [4] A side panel and a number of menus allow the player to more easily navigate the map and to micro-manage various aspects of government, such as tax rates and wages. [2]

Zeus grants players the choice to play either a series of episodical, story-based adventures, in which a set of unique objectives must be attained in order to progress, [2] or to play the so-called "sandbox mode", in which the game's objectives are more open-ended and less objective-based. [5]

Reception

Zeus: Master of Olympus received "generally favorable reviews" according to the review aggregation website Metacritic. [9] IGN reviewer Steve Butts stated that he "had to tear [himself] away from [the game] to write the review." [5] The game received criticism for its combat and war mechanics. [5] [4] [7]

Jason Samuel of NextGen said of the game, "Overall, it's simpler, the gameplay is finely tuned, and most of all, it's fun." [17] Brian Wright of GamePro said, "With the various adventures, sandbox modes, and tons of micro-management, Zeus: Master of Olympus will keep city building fans occupied for hours, and with its simple control and multiple difficulty levels, it's a great introduction for newcomers as well." [2] [a]

The game was a nominee for "PC Strategy Game of the Year" at the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences' 4th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards, which ultimately was awarded to Age of Empires II: The Conquerors . [19]

In May 2012 the game was re-released on GOG.com together with its expansion as a part of the Acropolis bundle where it holds a 5-star rating. [20]

In 2018, Alice Bell of Rock Paper Shotgun included the game in the site's "Have You Played" series, describing it as "the perfect balance of beauty, difficulty, detail, and puns." [8] The same publication later listed the game in its top twenty management games on PC to play in 2021. [21]

In Poland, the localized version – Zeus: Pan Olimpu – was recommended by the Ministry of National Education as a teaching aid for history lessons in middle and secondary schools, and with time become cult favourite. [22] [23]

Expansion

The cover art for Poseidon: Master of Atlantis Master of Atlantis - Poseidon Coverart.png
The cover art for Poseidon: Master of Atlantis

As with Pharaoh , an expansion pack was released in 2001, named Poseidon: Master of Atlantis. [24] The expansion includes new adventures based on the stories of Atlantis by Plato. An adventure editor was also included, although it had already been freely available on Impressions website. [25]

Reception

Poseidon received "favorable" reviews according to Metacritic. [26]

Notes

  1. ↑ GamePro gave the original game two 4/5 for graphics and fun factor, and two 4.5/5 scores for sound and control.

Related Research Articles

<i>Fly!</i> Flight simulator software

Fly! is a flight simulator video game for Windows and Macintosh developed by Terminal Reality and published by Gathering of Developers.

<i>Pharaoh</i> (video game) 1999 video game

Pharaoh is an isometric city-building game released in November 1999. It was created by Impressions Games and published by Sierra Studios for Microsoft Windows. Using the same game engine and principles of Caesar III, it is the first such game in Sierra's City Building series to focus on another civilization of ancient times. Players oversee the construction and management of cities and settlements in Ancient Egypt, micro-managing every aspect of the city to ensure citizens are fed, employed, healthy and protected from diseases, disasters and wars. An expansion pack, Cleopatra: Queen of the Nile, was released in 2000, developed by BreakAway Games. In 2001, both the game and expansion pack were bundled together as Pharaoh Gold. A remake titled Pharaoh: A New Era was released by Triskell Interactive and Dotemu in 2023.

<i>MechWarrior 4: Vengeance</i> 2000 video game

MechWarrior 4: Vengeance is a vehicle simulation game, developed by FASA Interactive and published by Microsoft. It was released on November 22, 2000. It is the fourth game in MechWarrior series. It takes place in BattleTech universe where the pinnacle of all war machines are huge, heavily armed robots called BattleMechs. The player pilots one of these "'Mechs" and uses variety of available weapons to battle enemy 'Mechs, tanks and other vehicles. An expansion pack, MechWarrior 4: Black Knight, was released in 2001, and a subsequent stand-alone expansion, MechWarrior 4: Mercenaries, was released on November 7, 2002. Two smaller expansions, Inner Sphere Mech Pak and Clan Mech Pak, were also released in 2002.

<i>City Life</i> (video game) 2006 video game

City Life is a city-building video game developed by Monte Cristo. It is the first modern building game to allow the player to work in full 3D environment. It was published in France by Monte Cristo, in the UK and Germany by Deep Silver and in North America by CDV. It was released in May 2006.

<i>NHL 2001</i> 2000 video game

NHL 2001 is a video game released by Electronic Arts in 2000. It is the successor to NHL 2000. An add-on featuring Elitserien and SM-Liiga was released on the PC version on March 8, 2001, that added Swedish and Finnish hockey leagues and teams to the game. It is the tenth installment of the NHL series, the final to be released on PlayStation, and the first to be released on PlayStation 2.

<i>Lotus Challenge</i> 2001 video game

Lotus Challenge is a racing game developed by Kuju Entertainment and published in 2001 for PlayStation 2 by Virgin Interactive. Versions followed for Windows, GameCube, Xbox, and mobile phones from different publishers.

<i>Sinking Island</i> 2007 video game

Sinking Island is a third-person perspective adventure game that uses point and click game mechanics. It was released in France on October 4, 2007, and in the United States on August 12, 2008. It was developed by White Birds Productions, a company founded and led by Benoît Sokal.

<i>Adventure Pinball: Forgotten Island</i> 2001 video game

Adventure Pinball: Forgotten Island is a pinball video game released in 2001 by Electronic Arts for Microsoft Windows.

<i>Elven Legacy</i> 2007 video game

Elven Legacy is a turn-based strategy video game developed by 1C:Ino-Co and published by Paradox Interactive. Released in Russia in 2007 and elsewhere in 2009 for Microsoft Windows, the game is a sequel to Fantasy Wars. On October 11, 2011, Virtual Programming released Elven Legacy Collection, which includes the original game and its three expansion packs, for Mac OS X.

<i>Spec Ops II: Green Berets</i> 1999 video game

Spec Ops II: Green Berets is a tactical shooter video game developed by Zombie Studios and published by Ripcord Games exclusively for Microsoft Windows. It is the second game in the Spec Ops series. A remake was released in 2000 for the Dreamcast entitled Spec Ops II: Omega Squad.

<i>America</i> (video game) 2000 video game

America is a historical real-time strategy game developed by Related Designs and published by Data Becker, released in December 2000 and January 2001 to mixed reviews. Set in a post-civil war America in the wild west, the game plays similarly to Age of Empires. The player may choose to control a group of either settlers, Native Americans, Mexicans or outlaws of that time.

<i>Antz Extreme Racing</i> 2002 video game

Antz Extreme Racing is a 2002 racing video game developed by Supersonic Software and published by Empire Interactive. The game is based on the 1998 DreamWorks Animation film Antz. The game was released in 2002 for Microsoft Windows, Xbox, and PlayStation 2. The Game Boy Advance version of Antz Extreme Racing was developed by Magic Pockets and released on 20 November 2002.

<i>Worlds Scariest Police Chases</i> (video game) 2001 driving video game

World's Scariest Police Chases is an open world action driving video game developed by Swedish company Unique Development Studios and co-published by Fox Interactive and Activision for the PlayStation in June 2001. Work on the Dreamcast, PlayStation 2 and PC versions of the game was cancelled, as well as its sequel, titled World's Scariest Police Chases 2: Code Red.

<i>Cultures</i> (video game) 2000 video game

Cultures: Discovery of Vinland is a 2000 real-time strategy and city-building game developed by Funatics Software and published by Phenomedia. It is the first entry in the Cultures series.

<i>FIFA 2001</i> 2000 video game

FIFA 2001 is a football simulation video game and the sequel to FIFA 2000. It was succeeded by FIFA Football 2002. It features Paul Scholes on the UK cover and Ben Olsen on the North American cover. The game's Spanish cover features Gaizka Mendieta on it. It was released on 31 October 2000 for Microsoft Windows and PlayStation, and on 24 November 2000 for PlayStation 2 as a launch title in Europe. The PlayStation 2 version was originally slated for release in the U.S. on 7 November, before it was delayed to 28 November. A Game Boy Color version was planned but cancelled.

<i>Invictus</i> (video game) 2000 strategy role-playing video game

Invictus: In the Shadow of Olympus, also known as simply Invictus, is a video game developed by Quicksilver Software, Inc. and published by Interplay for Windows in 2000.

<i>Psychotoxic</i> 2004 first-person shooter video game

Psychotoxic is a 2004 first-person shooter video game for Microsoft Windows developed by NuClearVision Entertainment and published by Vidis and Whiptail Interactive.

<i>Field of Glory</i> Computer strategy game series

Field of Glory is a series of turn-based strategy games published by British company Slitherine Software for personal computers. The series is based on a 2008 miniature wargame.

<i>Cops 2170: The Power of Law</i> 2004 video game

Cops 2170: The Power of Law is a turn-based tactics video game developed by MiST Land South and published by Russobit-M for Windows and in 2004.

References

  1. ↑ "Mortals[,] Rejoice! Zeus: Master of Olympus Bolts onto Store Shelves". GameZone. October 16, 2000. Archived from the original on March 6, 2001. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Wright, Brian (October 30, 2000). "Zeus: Master of Olympus". GamePro . IDG. Archived from the original on December 20, 2005.
  3. 1 2 3 Oxford, Adam (Christmas 2000). "Zeus: Master of Olympus". PC Gamer UK . No. 90. Future Publishing. Archived from the original on June 1, 2002.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 Macdonald, Ewan "nach0king" (December 21, 2000). "Zeus : Master of Olympus". Eurogamer . Gamer Network. Archived from the original on April 13, 2001. Retrieved July 20, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 Butts, Steve (November 3, 2000). "Zeus: Master of Olympus". IGN . Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on February 17, 2023. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
  6. 1 2 Price, Tom (February 2001). "Her-cu-les! Her-cu-les! (Zeus: Master of Olympus Review)" (PDF). Computer Gaming World . No. 199. Ziff Davis. p. 102. Archived from the original on April 6, 2001. Retrieved December 5, 2021.
  7. 1 2 3 Markell, Dave (November 13, 2000). "Zeus: Master of Olympus". Computer Games Strategy Plus . Strategy Plus, Inc. Archived from the original on May 25, 2003. Retrieved December 5, 2021.
  8. 1 2 Bell, Alice (September 24, 2018). "Have You Played... Zeus: Master of Olympus?". Rock Paper Shotgun . Gamer Network. Archived from the original on December 5, 2021. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
  9. 1 2 "Zeus: Master of Olympus". Metacritic . Fandom. Archived from the original on October 20, 2023. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
  10. ↑ David (December 5, 2000). "Test: Zeus: Herrscher des Olymp". 4Players (in German). 4Players GmbH. Archived from the original on December 5, 2021. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
  11. ↑ Walker, Mark H. (November 6, 2000). "Zeus: Master of Olympus". Gamecenter. CNET. Archived from the original on December 3, 2000. Retrieved December 5, 2021.
  12. ↑ Canoa, Rafael (December 5, 2000). "Zeus, Master of Olympus [sic]". The Electric Playground . Greedy Productions Ltd. Archived from the original on June 23, 2004. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
  13. ↑ Brogger, Kristian (January 2001). "Zeus: Master of Olympus". Game Informer . No. 93. FuncoLand. p. 131.
  14. ↑ Ferris, Duke (March 2001). "Zeus: Master of Olympus Review". GameRevolution . CraveOnline. Archived from the original on October 12, 2015. Retrieved December 5, 2021.
  15. ↑ Dulin, Ron (October 30, 2000). "Zeus: Master of Olympus Review [date mislabeled as "May 17, 2006"]". GameSpot . Fandom. Archived from the original on December 11, 2000. Retrieved December 5, 2021.
  16. ↑ Haumersen, Lee (November 6, 2000). "Zeus: Master of Olympus". GameSpy . IGN Entertainment. Archived from the original on March 15, 2006. Retrieved December 5, 2021.
  17. 1 2 Samuel, Jason (February 2001). "Zeus [Master of Olympus]". NextGen . No. 74. Imagine Media. p. 84. Retrieved December 5, 2021.
  18. ↑ "Zeus: Master of Olympus". PC Gamer . Vol. 8, no. 1. Imagine Media. January 2001. p. 148.
  19. ↑ "Fourth Interactive Achievement Awards: PC Strategy". Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences . Archived from the original on November 6, 2001. Retrieved December 14, 2021.
  20. ↑ "Release: Zeus and Poseidon Bundle!". GOG.com . CD Projekt. 2012. Archived from the original on May 12, 2012. Retrieved December 5, 2021.
  21. ↑ Smith, Graham (November 11, 2021). "The 20 best management games on PC to play in 2021". Rock Paper Shotgun. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on May 27, 2022. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
  22. ↑ Pawlikowski, Maciej. "Zeus: Pan Olimpu – przed spotkaniem z Kratosem. Kultowe gry Polaków, które powstały za granicą" [Zeus: Master of Olympus – Before meeting Kratos. Iconic games for Poles that were developed abroad]. Gry-Online (in Polish). Webedia . Retrieved December 13, 2024.
  23. ↑ "Zeus: Pan Olimpu – poradnik do gry" [Zeus: Master of Olympus – game guide]. Muve.pl (in Polish). Muve spółka akcyjna. Retrieved December 13, 2024.
  24. 1 2 Dulin, Ron (July 3, 2001). "Zeus Official Expansion: Poseidon Review". GameSpot. Fandom. Archived from the original on July 7, 2001. Retrieved December 5, 2021.
  25. 1 2 Butts, Steve (July 3, 2001). "Zeus Official Expansion: Poseidon". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on November 1, 2021. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
  26. 1 2 "Poseidon". Metacritic. Fandom. Archived from the original on December 16, 2023. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
  27. ↑ David (October 4, 2001). "Test: Poseidon [Herrscher des Atlantis]". 4Players (in German). 4Players GmbH. Archived from the original on December 5, 2021. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
  28. ↑ Markell, Dave (July 25, 2001). "Poseidon". Computer Games Magazine . theGlobe.com. Archived from the original on November 21, 2001. Retrieved December 5, 2021.
  29. ↑ Price, Tom (November 2001). "Poseidon: Zeus Official Expansion" (PDF). Computer Gaming World. No. 208. Ziff Davis. p. 108. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 28, 2023. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
  30. ↑ "Poseidon: Master of Atlantis". Game Informer. No. 101. FuncoLand. September 2001.
  31. ↑ Harms, William (July 24, 2001). "Poseidon". GameSpy. IGN Entertainment. Archived from the original on January 7, 2006. Retrieved December 5, 2021.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.