Age of Empires III (PC, 2005)

This game is a historical fiction strategy game follow up to the popular age of empires and age of empires II. I was a player of both games and loved them for what they were. However as soon as you begin playing you are immediately blown away by the graphic detail that is now able to be utilized since the release of its previous counterparts. While the single player campaigns are rather short, and the player vs computer skirmishes are not good for anything over a newer player, the free online gaming is what still makes this game one of the best pc games. Control of many unique civilizations offer wide advantages and disadvantages to each make this a thinking game yet does not require a rocket doctor to play once you find your groove. And online game play ranking allows you to easily find players in your skill level to provide for an educational and fair battle. Great game that has maintained popularity as few other pc games has and will continue to do so until its next release and beyond. As there are still a lot of people that still play AOE II online. A great game worth every penny of the origional retail price not to mention what it can be had for used. One word of warning be sure that when buying a used copy the origional user did not use the code to make an online profile as there is only on profile allowed per key. you will be stuck using there profile which will track rank, win loss ratio's and so much more.

This game in general is very much the key to online stradegy games in the future. Each and every thing you do has a impact on your rating and growing power. I think the fact that your home (port) or city growing with each and every game played. Makes players rush to get back on and play again!!! Its almost like you want your city level to be higher then any others you come across....(so each win is very important)
The game play is great as well. Thanks in large part to how good the graphic's seem to be. The detail is rich and fluid. (with the proper video card) The real downside with this game is you really MUST have a PC that was designed for gaming. It takes up a lot pf memory and the graphics do need a HIGH end card.
I seriously feel that any gamer would enjoy hours upon hours of these historic battles!!

The Age of Empires series are truly challenging strategy games. Build your civilization from the discovery age up. The game allows you to start at more advanced levels, customize your settings, handicap, and difficulty level. I have played the Age of Empires series from the first release, and have purchased every expansion pack. Ensemble Games and Microsoft have not disappointed me with any AOE release, and certainly not this one. This new edition features more realistic graphics, the ability to zoom in on the action, smoking guns, and more realistic battle scenes. There is some blood involved and probably isn't a good choice for younger players, but overall it is a very good follow up in an excellent series. The system requirements are pretty high, so that is one point that needs attention to anyone considering purchasing this edition.

This game is a challenging and somewhat realistic real-time strategy simulator that makes a reasonable attempt to be

historically and tactically accurate. Historical background information is provided for the playable civilizations,

though the characters in the strange single-player storyline are fabricated.

This game is much like AOE2, but lacks some of the more advanced tactical commands of AOE2.

The main difference from AOE2 is the "home city" concept. In this version, you are playing the role of a new world

explorer who has been sent by a European power to establish a colony. As you accumulate XP (experience points) by

building units and buildings, exploring the map or destroying enemy units, you earn "shipments" from your home city.

The home city sends resources, units, and improvements that can speed up resource gathering or strengthen military

units. Your home city gains levels as you progress through the game, and you earn more powerful shipments as you

gain levels.

The three resources are coin, wood and food. There are no mines or lumber camps in this version, as settlers just

harvest from the resource piles continuously without needing to carry the resources back to a town center or camp.

There are no farms in this version, only mill-and-farm combination. Plantations can be built to create coin, and

factories can be built to produce artillery or any needed resources.

The seige units (artillery) are all gunpowder units in this game, as are most of the infantry and cavalry. Archers

and hand infantry are good and cheap units early in the game, but after advancing a few ages, you will want to make

only gunpowder units.

If you decide to purchase this game, enjoy playing Age of Empires III

AOE3 is one of the best RTS games in the wild.I own the entire Age of Empires PC game series and this title is the best of them all,even though the first 2 games in the series are great as well.

You can choose from many different civilizations from around the world and have at it with another culture trying to to take over the New World.The game spans from the late 1400's to the mid 1800's.

The campaign missions included in this game are well done and offer a degree of challenge.The voice acting is good,but not great-as with most voice acting in a lot of games.

The graphics are excellent and have a offer a lot of detail.The sound effects are also very well done.The music score offers a good atmosphere and mood for the games setting.

You can also pick up the 2 expansion packs,The Warchiefs and the Asian Dynasties,both offering new missions,civilizations,and upgrades.

In all,I must recommend this game to anyone who loves Real Time Strategy (RTS) games.This title will keep you busy for a long time.