Age of Empires III Game Poster Image

Age of Empires III

age 13+
(i)

 

New World RTS battles sport gorgeous visuals.
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What parents need to know

Positive messages

Some characters are treacherous and deceiving. Most civilizations are Euro-centric with native civilizations playing a limited role.

Violence

Large-scale battles with cannons, cavalry, etc. Explosions can throw soldiers in the air. Minimal blood.

Sex
Not applicable
Language
Not applicable
Consumerism
Not applicable
Drinking, drugs, & smoking
Not applicable

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?

QUALITY

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.

Families can talk about...

  • 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?

Game details

Platforms:Windows
Price:$49.99
Available online?Available online
Developer:Microsoft
Release date:October 9, 2006
Genre:Real Time Strategy (RTS)
ESRB rating:T for blood and violence

This review of Age of Empires III was written by

Jeremy Gieske
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are conducted by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
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Teen, 14 years old Written byOIues May 20, 2011
age 10+

Perfect

A great game filled with some good ol'history.
What other families should know
Educational value
Great messages
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Kid, 12 years old April 30, 2011
age 10+

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
Too much violence
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Adult Written byCSM Screen Name... April 9, 2008
not rated for 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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