Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that this game has some large-scale battles, complete with cannon fire, bodies being thrown in the air and some blood. However, most of the fighting takes place from a bird's-eye view. Parents should also be aware that the game has an online mode and that Common Sense doesn't recommend online play for anyone under 12. The game is well-designed, with an absorbing and slightly historical storyline. Outstanding graphics and tried-and-true gameplay make this a good choice for Real-Time-Strategy fans and casual gamers alike.
Families who play this game can discuss how the quality of graphics can influence a game's popularity and success. Why are the visuals so important? What makes the visuals in this game stand out? If you have other games in the series, how are those games different? How are they similar?
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Jeremy Gieske
AGE OF EMPIRES III (AOE III) continues the popular Microsoft-powered Real-Time-Strategy (RTS) game series. This version (released in 2005) places players in the New World, with European civilizations and native cultures fighting for supremacy in the Americas.
Players familiar with the first two games will find that the basics remain fairly similar. After all, why fix something that isn't broken? The focus, as before, is on resource-gathering and building a balanced fighting force to attack enemy bases.
However, to get a leg up, players can now make use of a home city that can send extra resources and assistance. As players win battles and build up their settlements, they can switch to the home city view and request additional troops, food, etc. This element adds new depth to the long-term strategy and planning of the game, as players choose between levels of reinforcements that the home city is able to send.
AOE III also introduces a well-rounded campaign mode that has players following the legend of the fictional Black family. Each member of the family gets their own "act" in a well-told story that weaves through history. Throughout the campaign, players have one of the Black family members as a "hero" character who cannot be killed and who has an extra powerful attack.
Technically the game is a masterpiece. Outstanding graphics and sound help immerse the player in the Florida Everglades, the jungles of South America, and the plains of the American West. Battles are complete with jubilant cheers from the victorious troops when a skirmish is won, and the soundtrack is a perfect match.
Content-wise, there are few concerns. The game does, naturally, contain a large number of battles, with some blood and explosions present. Also, although the game does have some historical facts (helped a great deal by the well-designed in-game encyclopedia), there is a lot of fiction mixed in. In fact, this version is the least historically accurate of the three games.
Definitely entertaining, even slightly educational, AOE III is a worthy successor to the previous AOE games.
Players who enjoy this game might also like the Civilization series and the Rise of Nations series.
Rate It!
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ViolenceLarge-scale battles with cannons, cavalry, etc. Explosions can throw soldiers in the air. Minimal blood. |
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Social BehaviorSome characters are treacherous and deceiving. Most civilizations are Euro-centric with native civilizations playing a limited role. |
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Educational ValueMost of the gameplay is not historically accurate; however, a large reference section gives players a chance to learn more about the civilizations and weapons of the game. |
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