I rarely play games and write about them even less often. I can count on my fingers how many games really captured me enough to play them for more than a few days. So when I tell people that I am now addicted to playing on the iPad, they look at me with disbelief.
About ten years ago, my wife and I played Sid Meier’s game in which you made your own golf course. Then you had to run it as a profitable business. Our lives stood still for months as this game took over our lives. Then our version of Windows was updated and the game stopped working.
Forge Of Empires Is Probably The Most Addictive iPad Game Ever” />
Now with the iPad Air, the same thing happens again with Forge Of Empires, arguably the most addictive game I’ve ever played.
Create your own world and become king (or queen)
Create your own world and be a king (or queen)
The iPad is a great device for gaming. While you can play Forge Of Empires on an internet browser, it is rather awkward and inconvenient to use a trackpad or mouse.
But the iPad version is great. Graphics are very fluid, bright colors are striking, and tapping the screen to select is quick and easy.
Forge Of Empires Is Probably The Most Addictive iPad Game Ever” />
The image above shows Mark City after four days of continuous play. But when you start for the first time, you only have a town hall, some land, a few coins, and a few diamonds. Then it’s time to start creating your own civilization.
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Forge Of Empires Is Probably The Most Addictive iPad Game Ever” />
Your options
Your options
Let’s take a look at the options that appear at the bottom of the screen, but I’ll skip Market, Inventory, and Settings. You won’t need them to run the game and are fairly easy to understand.
It should be noted that this game will literally take YEARS. It is a slow, methodical, logical long-term game. Your civilization begins in the Bronze Age, and as you progress, you enter the Iron Age, the Middle Ages, and more until you enter the modern era.
Build
The whole point of the game is to buy more and more land and build on it to make your empire bigger, richer and more powerful than ever before. Thus, the sooner you start building, the faster the population will arrive and therefore the faster tax revenue will start to flow.
Forge Of Empires Is Probably The Most Addictive iPad Game Ever” />
So start building on the land you have by checking your money and seeing what you can afford. At the very least, start building huts, which will make some money in the beginning.
You can click on the question mark on each of them to find out what you need to create it (how much money, how many tools, etc.).
Forge Of Empires Is Probably The Most Addictive iPad Game Ever” />
You also have to build the economy as this also contributes to wealth and taxes. So, collecting money (and acquiring land), start building your industry.
Forge Of Empires Is Probably The Most Addictive iPad Game Ever” />
Research
Forge Of Empires Is Probably The Most Addictive iPad Game Ever” />
Obviously, as you progress, your industries become more advanced. But in order for that to happen, you need to do research in various fields.
To start, progress, and be successful in your research, you need what is called Forge Points. They are automatically generated at a rate of once an hour, and you can use them at whatever level of research you are currently in. Or, if you want to get more Forge Points faster, you can buy them with in-game coins, game diamonds, or real money.
Forge Of Empires Is Probably The Most Addictive iPad Game Ever” />
At the end of a research level, you gain benefits such as more land or the fruits of this research (each module will tell you what you get at the end).
Army
Every empire needs a military force, and you’ll need to build your own right away. So start building military barracks and training your soldiers. You can then decide who will be on the front lines if the battle begins. Green squares indicate if they are injured or not.
Forge Of Empires Is Probably The Most Addictive iPad Game Ever” />
Obviously, your army will be very rudimentary in terms of weapons in the beginning, but as your research progresses, so will your weapons.
Map
Forge Of Empires Is Probably The Most Addictive iPad Game Ever” />
To build an empire, you need to know where you are going and where your enemies live. For this you need a map.
Green areas are those you control (through negotiation or war), while red areas are held by the enemy. If you click on an enemy position, you will be greeted by a ruler and you will see your options.
Forge Of Empires Is Probably The Most Addictive iPad Game Ever” />
You will see their price for negotiation. If you don’t have it, you can buy it if you have diamonds, or exchange it for items on the open market. Or, if you’re feeling particularly bloodthirsty, you can see their military power and see if you don’t like a little fistfight.
Forge Of Empires Is Probably The Most Addictive iPad Game Ever” />
As you can see, they have swords, and I have stones? So no, time for graceful care and perhaps negotiation.
Everyone needs a friend
Everyone needs a friend
Forge Of Empires Is Probably The Most Addictive iPad Game Ever” />
One of the strengths of Forge Of Empires is that you can form alliances with other players. They can spend coins in your world, and you in theirs. Especially in the tavern, where they spend money on your beer.
Forge Of Empires Is Probably The Most Addictive iPad Game Ever” />
They can also send you “motivation” when golden stars appear on your screen. Although, when they tell you that your flowers are being polished, it’s rather strange
Collect money!
collecting money!
Forge Of Empires Is Probably The Most Addictive iPad Game Ever” />
Depending on the type of building and industry, money will come every couple of hours or so. When it’s ready, you’ll see coins hovering over every spot. Just click on them and the money will be sent to the treasury.
At the top of the screen, you will see the current count of everything, so you know immediately if you have a flush or go broke.
Forge Of Empires Is Probably The Most Addictive iPad Game Ever” />
Your advisors
Your Consultants
Every ruler needs advisors, so when you start the game, you are introduced to your people. They will alert you to potential problems, tell you what to do next, and sell your products.
Make people happy
Make people happy
Forge Of Empires Is Probably The Most Addictive iPad Game Ever” />
Finally, any dictator will tell you that if the population becomes disaffected and restless, you are in big trouble.
So give them something that will make them happy. A tavern to get them drunk, a theater to make them laugh, statues to convince them how beautiful they are, and schools to educate them.
If they are happy, they work harder. This means more tax revenue. A win-win in every way.