Armies of Exigo is a traditional RTS game, borrowing heavily from past classics whilst attempting to breathe new life into the genre through the implementation of improved graphics and other technological refinements.

Input is with keyboard and mouse and the learning curve of about 30 minutes will see you comfortable enough with the basics to begin playing in earnest. As is usual with games of this genre, taking the tutorial is highly recommended. It is brief, simple to follow and feeds you the necessary information in easily digested portions.

As any RTS veteran knows, it takes both experience and a cool head to wage war whilst simultaneously churning out replacement troops, and ensuring there is enough cash in the kitty to do so. The single-player, three-part campaign comprises missions of increasing complexity, which offer a good opportunity to acquaint yourself with the finer points of the game and to employ more intricate strategies and commands.

Multiplayer modes include the classics Capture the Flag and King of the Hill, and Melee - a desperate, all-out fight to the death. Games can be played across a LAN, online, or against computer AI opponents.

Three races are available to you: The Empire, consisting of humans, elves, dwarves and the like; The Fallen, a bunch of creepy subterranean dwellers; and The Beasts, whose lineup includes goblins, ogres and demons. The game is played over two terrains - above and below ground, and thanks to a dual-level map, the game allows you to simultaneously engage in combat over both terrains.

Wood, gold and gems are the staple resources required for each of the three races, and peasants (or their enemy counterparts) are the backbone of the economy. Without their building and resource-gathering skills it would be impossible to build units and fund upgrades. They know their place, too, offering very little complaint when you set them a task or three.

Buildings provide resources, protection, upgrades, and units. Some of the more advanced buildings are not available to you until pre-requisite structures are built.

There is a decent selection of units across the three races, with each unit having its strengths and weaknesses, and in some cases special abilities. Units gain experience and levels from combat - provided they survive of course, and have improved combat capabilities as well as projecting beneficial auras. Protecting your higher level units becomes a priority if you want to give your troops the upper hand in battle.

Units can be ordered into subgroups and supergroups, saving a lot of frenzied mouse clicking in the heat of battle. Having said this, units don't always do as expected, which can lead to moments fraught with frustration as your units succumb to battle lust or insubordination. The hotkeys are extremely handy too, once you've memorised them... which is more difficult than you might think since each race has its own set of hotkeys.

The dual-level map affords the opportunity to use the underground terrain to your best advantage. Not only are there treasures and resources waiting to be found by the intrepid explorer, but you can move troops through the tunnels to launch surprise attacks on the surface. A word of advice: do it to your enemies before they take it upon themselves to do it to you.

Graphics are very tasty, with a high level of detail and some spectacular magic and combat effects. Music is easy on the ears and unobtrusive, both desirable qualities in a RTS as they serve to set the mood without disrupting concentration. There are no really blood-stirring battle themes though, which is a tad disappointing given the quality of the visuals. Combat effects are a little tinny and quickly become annoying.

While there's nothing truly new or innovative in Amies of Exego, the game's developers have taken successful elements from previous RTS games, added to the mix some of their own features and produced a generally polished product. Not memorable, perhaps, but definitely playable.