Perfect Real-time combat/strategy/empire builder. This game has it all. Think Civilization II + Age of Empires II.
User Rating: 10 | Rise of Nations PC
Exquisite graphics engine. Graphics are flawless, sound is superb, gameplay is off-the-charts. If you love empire builders, and you love real-time combat simulations, then you will be in heaven with this game. Build your empire, build wonders, train troops, evolve your empire through the times of history, gather resources, and be diplomatic or aggressive with your enemies. This game reminds me of RISK, but with no board and no dice. Amass your armies, control them separately, but the AI will blow your mind. You give the orders to an army of say 10,20,or even 50 troops. Then, they do the rest. Tell them to advance to a certain area, tell them to take a certain town, or have them guars and hold their ground. It's up to you. Diversify your troops. Build armies with foot soldiers, tanks, planes, artillery, and supply trucks all in the same, easy to command army structure. But, building armies takes resources, and you have to find, aquire, and retain resources. You can also buy and sell resources or use them to build more armies or even Wonders! Win the game by conquering your enemies armies, holding their capital for a certain period of time, or by being the biggest and most culturally advanced empire. Your choice. 
