This game is extremly entertaining and with both expansion and regular games, it's hard to ignore...
Now, for the review part. This game really stands up for itself. Truely, I haven;t seen many games like it.
Settlers 6 runs around a gather and spend resource system. However, its not like many other RTSs out there that use this method of resource. Most resources in the game are renewable and with the expansion ALL resources are renewable. The game focuses on building up your medieval village then it does on military fighting. The game works mainly by harvesting resources and having them brought to private businesses that give you taxes. The beginning of your settlement is probably the most entertaining part of this game. You start trying to give out the basic needs of life. Supplying food and clothes. Throughout the growth of your settlement you need to give your settlers more needs like, entertainment, banners, etc. Almost every building in the game is upgradeable through a 3 stage process giving much replayablity throughtout the game.
Another great feature about this gold edition is the campaigns. All you must serve your own indiviual kingdom and complete quests. However, the the indiviual stories all connect to each other. The game also has a scneario mode which gives you many missions to try out which can range from simple free mode to complex quests.
The game has it's flaws though. First off, the military fighting in this game is downright bad. There are two basic units, archers and swordsmen, and they are very easy to figure out. In the end, it really matters who has more guys than the other player. The seige units in this game are very impressive however, the lack of regular units really brings military down in this game. The replayablitiy factor in this game is pretty good considering that there aren't many games like this and that there is so many quests to chose from. However, when you got a huge city or have done a mission without quests the game really starts to get boring.
When all is said and done, this is a pretty good game. I got this off Direct2Drive for 30 US dollars. Great price considering the fact that the original is the same price. This game is very fun and it is always nice to build up your town. If your a big fan of town building and espically, medieval town building this is a good game for you at a budget price.
-Helloiseeu