Product Description

AGE OF EMPIRE III . EN

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #404 in Computer & Video Games
• Brand: Microsoft
• Released on: 2005-11-04
• ESRB Rating: Teen
• Platform: Windows XP
• Number of items: 1
• Dimensions: 1.00 pounds

Amazon.co.uk Preview
With all the talk of next generation consoles it's somewhat ironic that the most graphically impressive new game is actually PC real-time strategy title Age of Empires III. The last game in the series was a rather clinical looking 2D isometric game but this new iteration features some of the most complex, organic looking 3D graphics ever seen on any system.

Thankfully the gameplay appears just as developed as you take control of a civilisation from around the time that Age of Empires II left off in the 16th century and continues up to 1850, as you battle to take control of the New World. Gameplay is actually split between the Americas though and your home city back in Europe, which you must also maintain and upgrade in order to keep the populace happy.

The most exciting element though is undoubtedly the new combat system, where the dull and mechanical "tank rushes" of the previous games have been replaced with stunning looking battles of gunpowder and sword blades as you fight angry natives and rival colonisers.

As is demanded of any PC game nowadays there's also a cool sounding multiplayer mode, with the eight different civilizations you can control allowing for a large variety of different play styles. That's if you can actually gather your wits enough to form a strategy and stop ogling the frankly incredible looking graphics. -- Harrison Dent

This preview is based on an incomplete version of the game; features or problems mentioned above may not appear in the finished game.

Manufacturer's Description
In this highly anticipated next installment in the Age of Empires franchise from Ensemble Studios, Age of Empires III places players in the time period of roughly 1500 - 1850, picking up where Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings left off. As players work to establish their empire, they take on the role of a European power struggling to explore, colonize, and conquer North and South America. Age of Empires III introduces exciting new gameplay elements, including the all-new Home City and an incredible combat system. Players have new civilizations to discover, random maps to conquer, and a single-player campaign unlike any other. Players also find stunning graphics as a result of a revolutionary graphics engine that pushes the limits of PC graphics technology in an entirely new way.As players control the action, they can experience a new level of exciting combat with realistic physics effects and have the option of engaging in battle with blades, gunpowder, or both. Victory depends on the player's strategic battle plan.The Home City represents a player's capital back in Europe and plays a supporting role in the attempt to control the New World. The better the player performs in the New World, the more powerful his or her Home City becomes. Players can customize their Home City to reflect unique personality traits, making the Home City a vital character in the game.Players can take advantage of elements of the colonial time period, including the ability to ally with Native Americans. They also can explore and find new resources in the Amazon rain forest, recover buried treasure from Caribbean islands, hunt bison on the Great Plains, compete to establish trade routes, and fortify the coast of New England.Players witness new lighting effects and shadows while immersed in a world that feels bright and sunny, yet which has a softness and depth that is revolutionary to PC games. Thanks to the new physics engine, players never see the same scene twice.

Customer Reviews

Age of Empires 3 Review
Firstly, i have been a massive fan of the Age of Empires games since i first played it on a friends computer. The first installment was a basic template of better features to come, the second installment had great storylines, great/easy gameplay...in short very addictive. Age of Empires 3 however, i think just comes short of the expectations that it was meant to live up to.
Don't get me wrong, The graphics are great if you have the cards to back it up,new features such as soldiers having guns and home cities and so on, But i found myself beginning to get annoyed and frustrated with the "half thought out" storyline.

For example in previous games, you would have the scottish free themselfs from their English enemies, or have the mongolians destroy what was left of the roman empire...in Age of Empires 3 the game has you chasing after the "Fountain of Youth" I prefer historical events that actually happened! Whats next, the Holy Grail?!

I know its only a game but the choice is yours...Make sure you also download a patch for the game.

Addictive
Although I had problems getting it to run well on my Vista machine, I loaded it on my other XP machine and didnt regret buying it at all.
I was sneaking to the computer whenever I could to send a few hours of it. I even took leave from work.
The graphics are good and the sound is excellent. Its a game that really makes you think about what your doing and to plan what your doing.
Its really good how you start with nothing then gradually build yourself up.
10 out of 10

Age Of Empires 3 A.K.A Brilllliant
Just came in the post this morning and i have been playing on it all day and its truly amazing. The graphics are better than all the other age of empires games previously and everything has been improved from later versions. Best PC game i have purchased up till now and i recommend it to anyone. Great fun for anyone who is interested in this type of game. Didnt take long to install and runs perfectly on my pc. Anyone who sees this game should buy it. There is nothing bad about this game that i have found!!!