Players gather food, wood, gold, and stone with villagers, then use those resources to construct buildings, train military units, and advance through four historical ages. The normal perspective is an overhead, mouse-driven battlefield view.

Campaigns provide linked scenarios with objectives and story context, while skirmish and multiplayer matches support varied victory conditions. Progression comes from advancing ages, unlocking technologies, expanding the economy, and combining infantry, cavalry, archers, siege weapons, and naval units.

Establish a reliable economy before committing to expensive military production. Keep villagers working, prioritize the resources needed for your intended army, and use scouting to identify enemy resources and defenses.

Advance ages with a plan rather than automatically. Protect key production buildings, mix unit types to cover weaknesses, and improve technologies that directly support your economy or army. Use terrain, walls, outposts, and defensive structures to buy time when an early attack is not practical.