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Bringing the game to handheld format was always going to be about compromise. How much do you omit due to limitations of the small screen, without taking so much that the game loses its appeal and challenge? We are happy to report that developers Backbone Entertainment have done a wonderful job and delivered a game that includes the original title's best features and places strategy firmly in your back pocket.

What immediately struck us about this game is how well the dual screens have been put to use. The upper screen is relegated to the animated pre-rendered scenes such as combat, while the lower screen is where all the action takes place. The play area is in isometric view and in a grid layout. Movement is therefore by way of squares with only forward, back, and left and right. There is no diagonal movement at all. The other major departure from the PC version is the loss of 'real time' - the game is now limited to turn-based play. Some of the purists make choke on this, but ultimately, given the limitations of the handheld, it was the most obvious compromise.

The initial tutorial campaign is based on the trial of Joan of Arc and takes you the basics of gameplay. Movement is via simple point and click with the stylus. Select the unit and the available movement zone is highlighted. Movement is affected by the terrain squares you pass over, with road being quicker and hills, forests and swamps restricting your movement.

There over 40 units to build within the game. These include basic infantry and mounted units of the period, siege engines and special units for each of the 5 civilisations in the game. These can be upgraded by building the appropriate building and undertaking the required research. Buildings are constructed by peasants and part of the challenge is to construct your buildings with a weather eye on how they will perform in defending your territories. Utilising buildings as pseudo walls and creating choke points adds a new strategic dimension.

Combat is straightforward with the basic model being the "paper, scissors and rock" unit relationships. Pikemen are great against cavalry, while cavalry are most effective against foot soldiers. When combat is joined, a little animated battle takes place in the upper screen and you can view the casualty numbers of both sides as they battle it out over the terrain. Your only influence over the outcome is how effective you have been in matching your unit type to the best advantage against the enemies. Other factors such as terrain can influence the outcome, with hills giving advantage to the defender, and so on.

One aspect of the game we did find a bit frustrating is in trying to move units to squares obscured by terrain or by other units. These squares were difficult to target and often where a unit was in the way, instead of selecting the target square you target the obscuring unit. The 'undo move' button menu option quickly becomes your friend in these instances.

Graphically the game is excellent in the upper screen with some great little animated sequences of the battles. The lower screen however is rather utilitarian with very basic graphics. They are functional and leave you in no doubt as to what each unit is and what each scenario tile is, however the terrain is basically flat and barren.

The multiplayer portion of the game exposes the limitations of turn-based play. Waiting for your opponent to set up their move can be a chore and we wonder why they did not go for a simultaneous move system where players move one unit each at a time.

Overall, Age of Empires: The Age of Kings plays well and offers a good strategic challenge. It is in the style of the original PC versions and although the graphics and the gameplay may be less elegant than its big brother, it still retains the depth and challenge of the original. A worthy addition to your collection.