I still play the original Age of Empires even to this day, but the newer versions just don't float my boat. They aren't as playable in my opinion. I like to be able to keep track of things in rts games and for some reason I can't in these ones, and find myself flailing around pathetically. So, what about Age of Empires III?
It still uses the same basic idea in that you build up colonies with little villagers, gradually obtaining resources, creating new buildings, which give you new technologies, soldiers, machinery etc… You know the story. This time around though it is based around the first colonies settling in North and South America. Eight nations are battling it out for land here and each has it's own subtle advantages over the others. As usual there is a large single player campaign to work through, and it should take a while to get to the end, before starting afresh as another nation.
If you have played AoE II you will find that the play has been simplified in places. You don't need to create resource stores anymore, your workers will just continue to work without the need to regularly go to drop-off points. There are also only three resources to collect instead of the previously required four. Certain buildings can also be created that supply a never-ending supply of food. This means that once you have built up a colony you can gradually concentrate on other areas, such as military units, without still having to worry about villagers collecting things. I found this to be a much better system than the old one. You are still kept busy, but as new labour saving technologies become available you don't need to work on them as much… just as in the real world.
There has also been a significant improvement in looks made in AoE III. The little people wandering around can sometimes be a bit too small but it doesn't cause too much of a problem. One of the most impressive things is when the big war ships start firing from all cannons in naval battles. It's an impressive sight. Good sound effects and music join all this, although there's the usual irritation of units saying the same phrases over and over.
This is one of those games that you need to play for a little while before you really appreciate just how good it is. Die hard AoE fans may not like the changes made, but overall I think they will come to like them.
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