Video Games : Age of Empires III

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from: Microsoft

 : Age of Empires III

List Price: $29.99
Amazon.com's Price: $26.99
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Amazon Maximum Age: 20 years
Amazon Minimum Age: 144 months
Binding: CD-ROM
Brand: Microsoft
EAN: 0882224043281
ESRB Age Rating: Teen
Label: Microsoft
Manufacturer: Microsoft
Model: G10-00025
Platform: Windows XP
Publisher: Microsoft
Release Date: October 18, 2005
Sales Rank: 807
Studio: Microsoft

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Editorial Review:

Product Description:
Age Of Empires 3 is the sequel to the critically-acclaimed strategy game. It introduces all-new gameplay elements, new civilizations to discover, random maps to conquer and a single-player campaign unlike any other. A.I. opponents are now well-developed characters with deep strategies, motivations, and personalities-and more than 4,000 audio taunts at their disposal New lighting and shadow effects, in a game world designed to have real physics and depth -- you'll almost feel like you're there The first 3D iteration of the series uses bump- and tone-mapping to render realistic water and shadows Havok engine's cause-and-effect physics bring battles to lurid life

Amazon.com:
It's the dawn of a new age in real-time strategy (RTS) games. A brave New World is rising--a hostile yet beautiful world, filled with innovative gameplay, new strategic scenarios, eye-searing graphics and much more. Welcome to a world called Age of Empires III.

Campaign
In this action adventure tale of historical fiction, players take on the role of Morgan Black and his family, struggling against the hostile wilderness and a mysterious cult that's crept in from Europe.



In a series of 24 scenarios divided into three acts, Morgan Black and his descendants help the Aztecs resist conquest by Spanish conquistadors, pit the French against the British in the French and Indian War and help Simon Bolivar lead revolutions in South America.



Multiplayer
Whether you're searching for a quick game or hoping to talk strategy with friends online, Age of Empires III's Multiplayer site is your community destination.



Here, you can play with persistent Home Cities that gain power and strategic options the more games you play, compete for a spot on dozens of ladders, help organize your clan or chat after a game -- all without leaving the multiplayer portal.



Fans of Age of Mythology's Quick Search can still look for games swiftly, while players looking for something specific can browse game lists to find the set of options that matches their tastes.



New Feature--Home Cities
?This revolutionary new feature to the RTS landscape is incorporated into all aspects of Age of Empires III -- from Campaign to Multiplayer -- and is unlike anything you've experienced before.



Much like the persistent character from a role-playing game that encourages you to keep playing, your Home City is an important support system to your efforts in the New World. During a game, your Home City can regularly send you supplies or military reinforcements.



You are the leader of your colony, but your success brings glory back to Mother Europe. The more games you play, and the better you do, the more powerful your Home City will become. Every few games, you gain the ability to both upgrade and customize your Home City:



Full 3-D Graphics, Destructible Environments and More
?We first set out to reproduce the rich detail of Age of Empires II: Age of Kings. As we strove to make the fascinating Age of Empires III time period come alive, that goal quickly evolved: We at Ensemble Studios wanted to create the best-looking game ever. From the stunning water effects to the hundreds of units battling on-screen, you'll feel like you're a part of the action in the New World.



Civilizations


British
Quick access to Settlers gives the British one of the strongest economies in the game. The ability to upgrade two key units -- the Musketeer and Hussar -- make the British military formidable in the late game. The British Home City emphasizes improvements to technology and naval warfare.
Dutch
Although Dutch Settlers are limited and costly, their civilization makes up for this economic disadvantage by building Banks and generating coin automatically. The Dutch Home City emphasizes upgrades to defense and economy.
French
Although the French economy starts slowly, the Coureur unit, a Villager with strong fighting skills, makes the French difficult to attack early. The French also have the strongest cavalry unit in the game -- the Cuirassier. Plus, the French are experts at allying with the Native Americans.
German
The Germans have fewer Settlers and therefore a slower economy. Fortunately, both the Settler Wagon and Uhlan cavalry spawn for free from the German Town Center. Plus, the Germans start with the ability to send Mercenaries from their Home City (long before other civilizations can).
Native American
European civilizations can learn new technologies and gain troops by forging alliances with the Native Americans. A British player who allies with the Iroquois is essentially playing as two civilizations: the British and the Iroquois.
Ottoman
For the Ottomans, Settlers spawn automatically from the Town Center. Building a Mosque and conducting research help keep that Settler production steady. Befitting their position straddling Europe and Asia, the Ottomans have more unique units than any other civilization.
Portuguese
Starting the game with two Town Centers, the Portuguese can quickly produce Settlers, control territory or support their allies. The Spyglass ability allows the Portuguese to easily spy on the enemy. The Portuguese also have a strong navy, strong light infantry and the best Dragoons in the game.
Russian
Starting the game with extra resources but fewer Settlers gives the Russians the flexibility of focusing on economy or an early raid. Russian infantry, individually weak, are trained in blocks at a faster rate, providing the Russians with the opportunity to overwhelm their enemy with greater numbers.
Spanish
The Spanish have a strong military, with both hand infantry and cavalry. Flexibility in early shipments from the Home City give the Spanish the option to attack early or set up for a strong, late economy. Spanish Home City improvements benefit soldiers, buildings and naval units.
 


Combat
Age of Empires III gives players an amazing amount of control over their side of the battlefield. ?





Customer Reviews
Average Rating:  out of 5 stars

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars - Best RTS Period
Getting sick of your everyday scifi shooter or fantasy rpg, well then try out Age of Empires 3 the most fun and addicting rts out there. This game is well balanced, has good graphics for rts, and has persistent home cities to keep you playing. Whether a fan of the series or a newcomer to rts games you wont be disappointed by Age of Empires 3.



Rating: 4 out of 5 stars - Satisfying
I have had this game for a few months now and have grown to really love it. There are certain features that I love and others that I could do without. In this game they got rid of the need for lumber mills, gold mining mills and restocking your farm with wood. All awesome upgrades because you have enough to worry about without keeping an eye on all your villagers and buildings. Another great feature is the Home Town, which can periodically send your civilization resources and upgrades. Not only do you get the already addicting game play but you now have goals for leveling up and earning cards that can later help your civilization during battles. My complaints are as this, you dont have as much flexibility when setting up a match. It is either a free for all or you can have two teams. Also the map choices are limited. And I agree the zoom is a well missed feature. The graphics are awesome, main game is challenging, and it will most definately provide hours of fun even for first timers. Give this game a try!



Rating: 5 out of 5 stars - tween AND husband LOVE this game!
put it this way, my husband had a sore back because he played the game for four hours nonstop one day! (and this is out of character!!)

my tween daughter also enjoys it. it has been worth every penny.....and the novelty of playing hasn't worn off for months.



Rating: 5 out of 5 stars - Worth The Purchase Price
I was a fan of the old school Age Of Empires games so when this came out I knew I was going to purchase it. If you like the early new world time period then you will enjoy this game. The graphics are entertaining enough without being so overwhelming that you don't know what's really going on. Sure there are other RTS's out there that may have some better features but in my opinion this is a nice well rounded game.

P.S. It gets even better with the expansion packs that have already come out. If you can afford it buy a box set that includes the two expansions.



Rating: 2 out of 5 stars - Disappointed
Why game companies push away from the 2d video game for the 3d feel game is beyond me. Most RTS games are shown from high up where you can zoom way down and control small battles or zoom out and control an army. AoE III took away the zoom out.. You are so in the face of everything you can't really see what you are doing. Maybe the 3d assets/textures would be too taxing on the system, but then thats a design flaw.. Anyways, decent game, but I got extremely frustrated with the camera.

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