Age of Empires III was released in 2005 and has become a major staple of the real-time strategy genre since then. The game lets players build and expand their empires, gather resources, and train troops to fight their enemies. Players can choose from eight different European nations, each with unique abilities and units. Age of Empires III also features a card collecting system, where players earn experience points to unlock new cards that provide bonuses. The game features detailed unit models and vibrant environments. Age of Empires III also has both local and online multiplayer modes which are highly competitive.
Battle Through History: A Review of Age of Empires III on Xbox 360
Introduction
The Age of Empires games have been a staple of real-time strategy since the first game was released in 1997. Age of Empires III, released in 2005, was the third game in the series and was highly anticipated by fans. It was released for PC and later for Xbox 360. In this review, we will be focusing on the Xbox 360 version.
Gameplay
Age of Empires III follows the same basic gameplay as its predecessors – players build and expand their empires, gather resources, and train troops to fight their enemies. The game is set during the Age of Discovery, with players choosing to play as one of the eight European nations, each with their own unique units and abilities. The game also introduces home cities, which provide bonuses and reinforcements throughout the game.
One of the standout features of Age of Empires III is the addition of a card collecting system. As players progress through the game and complete objectives, they earn experience points which can be used to unlock new cards. These cards can provide a wide variety of bonuses, such as increased resource gathering or improved units.
The game is also notable for its diverse maps, which range from North American forests to South American jungles. Each map provides its own challenges and opportunities for strategy.
Graphics
Age of Empires III was released in 2005, and while the graphics may not be up to par with modern games, they still hold up relatively well. The game features detailed unit models and animation, and the environments are vibrant and immersive.
The game also includes a cinematic camera mode, which allows players to view their battles from different angles. This mode is great for getting a better look at the action, as well as for creating cinematic replays.
Sound
The sound design in Age of Empires III is excellent, with a range of sounds for different units and environments. The game also includes a great soundtrack, with orchestral music that perfectly captures the epic feel of the game.
Multiplayer
Age of Empires III includes both local and online multiplayer modes. Local multiplayer allows players to connect multiple controllers to their console and play against each other on the same screen. The online multiplayer mode allows players to compete against other players from around the world.
The online multiplayer mode is highly competitive, with players building their empires as quickly as possible and constantly attacking their opponents. The addition of home cities and the card collecting system adds a new layer of depth to the online gameplay.
Conclusion
Overall, Age of Empires III is a fantastic real-time strategy game that holds up well even today. The addition of home cities and the card collecting system add new layers of depth to the gameplay, and the diverse maps provide plenty of opportunities for strategy. The graphics and sound are both excellent, and the multiplayer mode provides plenty of competitive gameplay. If you’re a fan of real-time strategy games, Age of Empires III is definitely worth checking out on Xbox 360.