Microsoft Age of Empires Inside Moves: Inside Moves

Compared to the Inside Moves Edition strategy guide for AOE 2, this one is far superior. Kent has obviously done quite a bit of work on figuring out the strengths and weaknesses of the various units. There are comparisons and contrasts and useful strategy suggestions. I particularly liked the discussions of the times required for particular units of one type to vanquish units of another type. The book would have been better for including yet MORE of this kind of information (e.g. How many stone age club men does it take to kill an Iron Age chariot archer? How does one recover from certain tactical mistakes and unit mismatches? What do you do when facing a catapult and you only have archers? etc.) The author goes into detail when explaining how he experimented using the scenario editor and explains this process to the user so that even the newbies can continue their educations beyond the book.

The walkthroughs were readable, the instructions were clear and complete and the advice is good, given that the suggestions worked and behaved as indicated. The section on multi-player gaming may have been a bit light, but then, experience is definitely the best teacher in that realm and everyone has their own style. There may indeed be more extensive information on the various fan web sites, but as a tutorial, reference, and walkthough guide, I find the book useful and recommend it.


AWSOME!!!!!!!!!   August 4, 1999
 4 out of 5 found this review helpful

This book was awsome! Just the historical section was worth the 13 bucks. If you like Age of Empires fan, this is a must buy


Boring, wordy, and very, very, very basic   June 29, 1999
 4 out of 7 found this review helpful

I got this book free with the game, and it proved to be a waste of my time. Its only strong point is telling you how to beat the scenarios--and it isn't much fun to play them if you already know everything in them=no challenge or surprises. As far as strategy--WHAT strategy??? The only strategy I saw was "archers attack well in groups." As far as civilization strengths, you get that information in the tiny book that comes with the game anyway. Why pay money to read the same thing in more verbose language. If all you have is the information in this book, be prepared to be laughed at if you play anyone who has ANY experience with the game! Free web sites galore give you REAL information. I don't think this book was worth what I paid for it, which was nothing, since I got it for free. I'm ashamed of Microsoft for foisting off such worthless stuff when they could have made a great guide for a great game.


Not the greatest   June 8, 1999
 1 out of 2 found this review helpful

Don't buy this book expecting alot. I could get much better tips for FREE from somebodys webpage.This book in my opinion is a waste of time if you plan to read it, and a waste of money if you plan to buy it. I hope if you read my review you will be smart enough not to buy this book.


Great book about a great game   March 6, 1999
This book tells you in detail everything in a scenario you need to know to win. The book offers deeper insight on the historical aspects of the game, making it a different experience altogether.