 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Age of Empires III
- Windows
- Price: $49.99
- Genre: Real Time Strategy (RTS)
Common Sense Media says
New World RTS battles sport gorgeous visuals.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
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 Media doesn't recommend online play for anyone younger than 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.
What's it about?
AGE OF EMPIRES III (AOE III), part of the popular Microsoft-powered Real-Time-Strategy (RTS) game series, places players in the New World, with European civilizations and native cultures fighting for supremacy in the Americas. 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. AOE III also introduces a well-rounded campaign mode that has players following the legend of the fictional Black family.
Is it any good?
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.
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. Indeed, 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.
Explore, discuss, enjoy
Families can talk about 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?
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Adult
April 9, 2008
AGE
Incredible Visuals and somwhat educational
My 10 year old boy loves this game. But, he also has been playing AOE 1 & 2 & Age of Mythology for a few years so the transition was not difficult.
If a child has never played a strategy type game before, you might want to explore whether they liek it or not.
While the graphics are incredible, my 10 year old says there are not as many historical characters in this game as he would have liked (i'm not sure). In Age of Mythology he learned mythological characters names and roles. In AOE 1 & 2, he learned some of the historical figures (he loves history). In AOE3 he hasn't run across many characters besides a slight mention of George Washington, etc. But he still loves the game and the graphics are amazing. He usaully looks up cheats on the web and tries those. Liek running over colonials with Monter Trucks and such. Incredibly addictive for kids who like history and/or war type themes.
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Teen, 15 years old
April 9, 2008
AGE
Pure genius.
I have played AOE2 before and I have to say, AOE3 is really an improvement. The only reviews here are PAUSE and ON, and the graphics are amazing.
Rule of thumb: Make sure your computer is a moderately fast one before playing. And if your graphics card isn't up to snuff (64MB or more), you, my friend, are totally outta luck.
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Teen, 14 years old
May 20, 2011
AGE
Perfect
A great game filled with some good ol'history.
What other families should know:
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Kid, 12 years old
April 30, 2011
AGE
Insanely Good Strategy Game for any Mature Child
This is an excellent game for any mature kid who is interested in strategy or warfare. I have had the privilege of playing this game and was extremely impressed by the level of brain power you have the potential to use. You can make virtually any strategy you want and make it into a winning strategy. I may have many highlights about this game, but I also have countless concerns. One of my concerns is that the messages are not positive. It teaches that going in and eradicating Native Americans and other colonists for land is something to be desired and performed. Another concern is that the role models are not the best. The last of my concerns is that some parents might consider this game to be a tad bit violent. In battle sequences you may hear people scream as they are shot our impaled. However, I believe that in spite of the other concerns, this game may be played by mature ten year old's and any age group above that.
What other families should know:
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Teen, 15 years old
April 9, 2008
AGE
Great game! Need a good computer!
Wonderful game but you need a good computer if you want to play it without lag or choppiness. I recommend a graphics card with at least 128MB and process speed of 300MHz. Also at least 512MB RAM for your computer is needed for smooth gameplay. If your computer is up to the challenge than you should play this game. Regular offline mode will get boring after a while so be sure to have DSL or some high speed internet for online play. Online play is really the highlight of this game.
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Kid, 12 years old
April 9, 2008
AGE
great game but overkill graphics
a warning to rts fans: this game runs slow even on an XP PC but otherwise it is great
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Kid, 12 years old
April 9, 2008
AGE
Its ok
The game is birds eye view and you can only command not attck
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Teen, 15 years old
September 26, 2010
AGE
for ages twelve and up
I have been playing this game for a number of years, since about the age of 12. in inclusion to being a good game, I'm embarrassed to say that the use of some cheat codes taught me how to type more quickly and fluently. this game teaches kids how to stratagize and plan ahead. you could probably learn how to play this game well inside 5 minutes, so ease of game play is not an issue. all in all, its an amazing game appropriate for anyone 12 or up
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Teen, 13 years old
March 18, 2010
AGE
An Excellent Game
First off, let's make this clear. The game casts you as KING OF AN EMPIRE, where your goal is to WIN A WAR. That means that there will be lots of bloodshed, so just take note of that if you have problems with violent games. You yourself do not participate in the combat: instead, you give troops "commands", who will then fight the enemy for you.
The game has stunning graphics, great gameplay, and in short is the peak of the Age of Empires series. Anybody familiar with RTS games should play it.
The messages of the game are good in my opinion: the characters in the "campaign" (storyline) are fighting against tyrants-in-the-making.
What other families should know:
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Kid, 12 years old
January 10, 2010
AGE
I'm a big fan of the Age of Empires titles. At first, when I just had AOE II, I was reluctant to buy AOE III because I wasn't as into the colonial ages and stuff. But I had a sudden craving for a game with muskets so I got AOE III and loved it. I installed it on my vista laptop (AOE II wouldn't go on my vista, but maybe it will now with the compatability update) and at first the game lagged like crazy. At first the framerate was just really slow, and even in the main screen the people walking around were slow. All you have to do is turn down all the graphics options, and even though when you're turning off things that seem like they make up the game's whole graphic awesomeness, you can barely tell the difference. The battles are epic, I say the game is appropriate for everyone, but maybe too complex for certain kids under 10, I dunno. But the bottom line is, it rocks, it's still like AOE II but with muskets and some new features, and my parents who go completely by CSM didn't hesitate to let me get it.
What other families should know:
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| Platforms: | Windows |
| Available online? | Available online |
| Genre: | Real Time Strategy (RTS) |
| Developer: | Microsoft |
| Release date: | October 9, 2006 |
| Price: | $49.99 |
| ESRB rating: | T for blood and violence (Windows) |
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