Age of Empires III

Age of Empires 3 (also known as Age of Empires III) is a popular real-time strategy developed by Ensemble Studios and published by Microsoft Game Studios on home PCs in 2005.



After two celebrated games and their expansions who focused their visual style on showcasing hundreds and thousands of 2D Sprite-based units, the third game of this franchise moved completely to 3D visuals that were first introduced by the studio in their popular Age of Mythology release from 2002. Immediately after launch, the Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition managed to become one of the bestselling PC games of its time, reaching over 2 million gamers in its first three years on the market.

Set in the age of the exploration of the Americas, the core offering of this game is centered on the eight civilizations (British, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Russian, Dutch, German, and Ottoman) that move through the five distinct “ages” and all unlock access to more capable home base buildings and military units.

In this game, the ages include Discovery Age, Colonial Age, Fortress Age, Industrial Age, and finally Imperial Age that unlocks access to all buildings, upgrades, and defensive/offensive military units. The game also introduced several advancements that were not present in the earlier releases of this franchise, most notably the addition of “Home City” and a “Politician System” that can grant bonuses when certain goals are met.

In addition to eight playable civilizations, the game also supports several other non-playable civilizations (mercenaries and pirates) as enemies in the campaigns and as a playable force in the Scenario Editor. In addition to them, the game also features thirteen native American tribes and civilizations.

Instead of separate campaigns linked to specific civilizations, this new game focused on a new campaign structure that followed the fictionalized family in three large Acts.

Due to the great success of the game in 2005 and 2006, the developers from Ensemble Studios created two large expansions – “Age of Empires III: The WarChiefs” in late 2006 that centered on three native American tribes of Iroquois, Sioux (Lakota), and Aztecs, and “Age of Empires III: The Asian Dynasties” in late 2007 that unlocked access to Indian, Japanese, and the Chinese.



In addition to two official expansions, the Age of Empires 3 was also re-released several times. In 2007 the game was sold under the “Gold Edition” package that bundled the original game with War Chiefs expansion, 2010 the game and both expansions were sold under the “Complete Edition” package, and the fully-featured remaster called “Definitive Edition” was released on October 15, 2020.

Main Features

Detailed Historical Campaigns
It features multiple single-player campaigns that follow the stories of various European nations during the colonization of the Americas. Each campaign is rich in historical context and provides a narrative-driven experience.

Home City Mechanic
A unique feature of this game is the Home City mechanic, where players can send resources, units, and technologies from their home city in Europe to support their colonies in the New World. This adds a strategic layer to resource management and development.

Diverse Civilizations
Players can choose from a variety of civilizations, each with unique units, buildings, and technologies. Civilizations include British, French, Spanish, Dutch, Russian, Portuguese, German, and Ottoman, each with distinct playstyles.

Advanced Combat and Military Units
The game introduces advanced combat mechanics, including formations and counter-units, making battles more strategic. Players can train a variety of military units, including infantry, cavalry, artillery, and naval forces.

Resource Management
The game retains the series' traditional resource management system, where players must gather food, wood, coin, and other resources to build their empires. Efficient resource management is crucial for success.

Native American Alliances
Players can form alliances with Native American tribes, gaining access to unique units and technologies. These alliances add depth to the game's strategic options.

Multiplayer Modes
The game offers robust multiplayer modes, allowing players to compete against each other online. Multiplayer matches can be customized with various settings and rules.

Graphics and Sound
It features impressive 3D graphics and realistic physics, which were groundbreaking at the time of its release. The game's sound design, including voice acting and music, enhances the immersive experience.

User Interface

It boasts an intuitive and user-friendly interface, designed to accommodate both newcomers and veteran players of the RTS genre. The main screen is divided into several sections:



Main Screen
The central part of the screen displays the game world, where players can see their units, buildings, and the surrounding environment. The minimap in the lower-right corner provides a quick overview of the entire map.

Control Panel
The bottom of the screen features the control panel, where players can manage their units, buildings, and resources. It includes buttons for unit commands, construction options, and resource information.

Home City Interface
The Home City interface is accessed through a separate tab, allowing players to manage their home city shipments, technologies, and upgrades. This interface is visually distinct and easy to navigate.

Tooltips and Pop-Ups
Tooltips and pop-up windows provide additional information about units, buildings, and technologies, helping players make informed decisions.

Installation and Setup

Installation Process

It can be installed from a physical disc or downloaded from digital distribution platforms such as Steam or the Microsoft Store. The installation process is straightforward, guided by an easy-to-follow wizard.

Initial Setup

After installation, players are prompted to set up their profile, including selecting a username and customizing game settings such as graphics, sound, and controls.

How to Play



Starting a New Game

From the main menu, players can choose to start a new single-player campaign, a skirmish match, or a multiplayer game. Each mode offers different gameplay experiences.

Single-Player Campaign

The single-player campaign mode involves completing a series of missions that follow a narrative storyline. Players must achieve specific objectives in each mission to progress.

Skirmish Mode

In skirmish mode, players can set up custom matches against AI opponents. They can choose the map, difficulty level, and other game settings.

Multiplayer Mode

Multiplayer mode allows players to compete against each other online. They can join or host games, create custom scenarios, and participate in ranked matches.

Home City Management

Players can manage their Home City by accessing the Home City interface, where they can select shipments, technologies, and upgrades to support their colony.

Resource Management and Construction

Players must gather resources such as food, wood, and coin to construct buildings, train units, and research technologies. Efficient resource management is crucial for building a successful empire.

Military Strategy and Combat

Players must train and deploy military units to defend their colony and attack enemy forces. Strategic use of unit formations, counter-units, and terrain is essential for victory.

FAQ

How do I form alliances with Native American tribes?
To form alliances with Native American tribes, you need to build a trading post at their village site. This will allow you to train their unique units and research their technologies.

What is the best civilization for beginners?
The British civilization is often recommended for beginners due to their strong economy and versatile military units. Their unique unit, the Longbowman, is particularly effective in combat.

How do I send shipments from my Home City?
You can send shipments from your Home City by accessing the Home City interface. Shipments become available as you gain experience points by completing various in-game actions.

Can I play Age of Empires III on modern operating systems?
Yes, Age of Empires III is compatible with modern operating systems, including Windows 10. The game is also available on digital distribution platforms like Steam and the Microsoft Store.

Are there any expansion packs available for Age of Empires III?
Yes, there are two expansion packs: The WarChiefs and The Asian Dynasties. These expansions introduce new civilizations, campaigns, and gameplay features.

Alternatives

Age of Empires II: A classic RTS game that focuses on medieval warfare. It offers a different historical setting and gameplay experience.

StarCraft II: A sci-fi RTS game known for its deep strategic gameplay and competitive multiplayer scene.

Command & Conquer: A series of RTS games with various themes, including modern warfare and sci-fi. Known for its fast-paced gameplay and engaging storylines.

Rise of Nations: Combines elements of turn-based and real-time strategy, allowing players to control a nation from ancient times to the modern era.

Total War Series: Combines real-time battles with turn-based strategy. Each game in the series focuses on a different historical period.

Pricing

This game is available for purchase on various digital distribution platforms. The pricing may vary depending on the platform and any ongoing promotions or discounts. As of the latest update, the approximate price range is as follows:

Standard Edition: $19.99

Complete Collection (including expansions): $29.99

System Requirements

• OS: Windows 11/10/8/7
• Processor: 2.4 GHz
• Memory: 2 GB RAM
• Graphics: 128 MB video card
• Storage: 2 GB available space

PROS

• Engaging historical campaigns
• Unique Home City mechanic
• Diverse civilizations with distinct playstyles
• Advanced combat and military strategy
• Robust multiplayer modes

CONS

• Steep learning curve for newcomers
• Some outdated graphics and mechanics
• Limited AI complexity in skirmish mode
• Requires significant time investment
• Expansion packs are sold separately

Conclusion

It remains a beloved title in the real-time strategy genre, offering a rich blend of historical context, strategic depth, and engaging gameplay. Its unique Home City mechanic and diverse civilizations provide a fresh experience compared to other RTS games.

Age of Empires 3 is incredibly resource-light, and therefore can be played today on almost every PC you can find around you.

While it may have a steep learning curve and some outdated elements, the game's robust features and multiplayer modes continue to attract both new and veteran players. Whether you're a fan of historical strategy games or looking to explore the RTS genre, Age of Empires III is a timeless classic worth revisiting.

Also Available: Download Age of Empires III for Mac