Evony is a new browser-based multi-player online game. It’s similar to a lot of the other time-based strategy games that you may or may not be familiar with such as Ikariam, Tribal Wars, or OGame. It’s a fun little game based on community, alliances, building an empire, and crushing your enemies ever so gently. It seems to be part of the flood of the micro-transaction, non-stop (games that continue after you logout), strategy based free-games that are filling the online gaming market currently. There are literally dozens and dozens of these games, so sometimes it’s hard to find one that’s going to bring entertainment and enjoyment as opposed to causing massive brain hemorrhages.
The game itself is pretty much the same as others in its genre in terms of game play, for the most part. You have to build a city, gather resources, manage an army, research technology and basically be the complete ruler of your city and eventually your kingdom. The major difference from Evony and some of the other online MMORTS I’ve played is that it has some more options and goes a little more into depth with it’s game play. You get to control taxes, you have heroes who can use items and level up, and there are various items you can use to increase production value, troop damage, etc. A lot of these items cost coins which you have to purchase using real money, but you do gain some opportunities to attempt to win the items without exchanging real-world money. A lot of people have compared the game play to Civilization and those types of simulation strategy games.
In terms of graphics, this one definitely has one-up on Ikariam, TW, and alot of the other ones out there. There are moving animations, pending completion bars (which is very useful), and just over-all a lot more moving parts. Perhaps it from my roots of being a little boy once, but usually more moving parts equals more fun. It really keeps players more involved and gives them something to look at it. You actually feel and see something happening, and it brings you more in line with the world and the game. Heck, even the controversial marketing campaign for the game was based upon aesthetics. Not necessarily the game’s aesthetics, however. (See Below for Pics)
As their ads progressed through their marketing campaign, it depicted fantasy-dressed women in consecutively reduced clothing around the bosoms. The final advertisement was a straight-up female chest shot in only a bra. The ads detailed how we should try to “help save the queen,” however, there was no queen in the game to save. According to the Evony folks, it was all part of their advertising campaign. It seems the games founders had no false disillusions about what will make their game boon. Good looks. 
(See Below for Pics)
The major problem some people diagnosis with the game is the micro transaction system. As you can purchase game ‘coins’ that you can use to buy items that can make your city better, faster, and more efficient then your opponents. While this is true to some degree, it is not particular to Evony. If you’re into the free online game market, you’ll be very familiar with these kind of purchasable perks, and it doesn’t really take away from the fact that it appears most players don’t tend to pour their real-life fortunes into these perks. In theory, it does appear true that to some degree real-life cash, if you choose to use it, can make you a better player. Some could counter the argument by saying if you have less time to dedicate to the game, it’s a way of catching up to players that are consistently updating and keeping tabs on their city. All in all, it comes down to the fact that you don’t have to spend money to play.
Evony is a fun little game that I play with some co-workers and is definitely enjoyable for small groups of friends looking for a game that isn’t super labor intensive and is just something you can update quickly, or spend some more time with if you are so inclined. Check it out, it can’t hurt and it’s FREE! I’ll see you in-game!
Also, check out the newbie page here if you have more questions!
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This is the first mention of Evony I’ve seen that wasnt from a spambot or an author talking about the seedy or illegal practices the game keeps.
I read this morning that they’re moving forward with their lawsuit against http://www.bruceongames.com/
My understanding of that suit is that it’s really off the wall. Evony filed it in Australia, despite the fact that the company, and Bruce, are in the UK and US.
Sounds like it’s all bluster to me, but who knows.
You should read the letter their lawyers sent him earlier to threaten him with the lawsuit. This stuff has been brewing for a long long time though. The posts and responses from moderators and admin about their advertising spam were the funniest. I liked Lum’s take on it all.
Just shows how strong ye old gold seller types have grown.