Like any other modern strategy game Rise of Atlantis uses up-to-date 3D graphics. Unlike most of these games, innovative solutions are applied to benefit from a 3D visualisation of the 2D world.

While navigation stays as simple as in classic games, the 3D graphics are used to integrate the whole game in one coherent view. The player will not have to switch between several viewing modes in order to control his empire. Means to investigate the whole continent, regions, cities, units and single items can all be found on one screen layout. Every action can be triggered by only one or two mouse clicks.

In Rise of Atlantis the player’s only way of manipulating the world is by giving commands to his units. The intention behind this restriction is to speed up the game. While still being able to apply complex strategies, a player will finish a round with only a few clicks.

Using these methods Rise of Atlantis will be the first complex round-based strategy game which meets today’s players’ expectations of ease-of-use and swiftness.