Age of Empires III: Definitive Version
The third mainline title within the traditional real-time technique (RTS) franchise, Age of Empires, Age of Empires III is receiving the Definitive Version therapy that its predecessors have acquired as we transfer in the direction of the eventual launch of Age of Empires IV. At COGconnected, we just lately had the chance to go hands-on with Age of Empires III: Definitive Version. Whereas I’m in no way an skilled RTS participant, I did play my fair proportion of RTS video games on the top of their reputation.
With the preview construct, we had been offered entry to the “Blood, Ice and Metal” marketing campaign in Story Mode, Skirmish mode, and the brand new Artwork of Battle and Historic Battles mode. I instantly hopped into the Story Mode to have a look in addition to to get a refresher on the fundamentals. Whereas the unique sport was launched again in 2005, the up to date visuals had been undoubtedly noticeable. Although they may not stack up technically with modern video games, they undoubtedly hold the spirit of the Age of Empires video games. Whereas there’s not a lot new content material close to the Story Mode, the Definitive Version does embrace the expansions.
A New Age
Among the new content material included with Age of Empires III: Definitive Version are new models for present civilizations, two new civilizations (the Inca and Swedes), some civilization redesigns, enhanced visuals, remastered soundtrack, enhanced AI, and the aforementioned new modes (Artwork of Battle and Historic Battles). In comparison with a typical remaster or definitive version, Age of Empires III: Definitive Version does a bit greater than most with each further content material in addition to fully new modes.
The Artwork of Battle mode is basically a problem mode, giving gamers quite a lot of challenges associated to completely different elements of the sport, corresponding to Treasures, Construct Orders, and Naval Battle. Whereas these challenges are enjoyable in their very own proper, I felt that they had been good methods to work on particular elements of the sport. For instance, the Treasures problem is concentrated on exploring, discovering, and claiming treasure across the map. This permits gamers to give attention to this one facet with out worrying a couple of bunch of opposing armies, and really feels a bit like a tutorial, which is nice for anybody unfamiliar with any elements.
The Historic Battles additionally convey a brand new aspect to Age of Empires III. Within the preview construct we had entry to, there was solely the Algiers (1516) situation, which locations gamers within the position of the Barbary Pirates towards the Spanish. On this situation, the town of Algiers is taken by the Barbary Pirates, and so they should fend off the Spanish who want to take it over. I really feel that the Historic Battles undoubtedly permit the builders so as to add new content material into the sport with out drastically altering the Story Mode.
Whereas Age of Empires III won’t have been the most well-liked sport throughout the franchise, the Definitive Version seems to do a superb job in remastering the sport for a contemporary viewers forward of the eventual launch of Age of Empires IV. With the gameplay tweaks, remaster enhancements, and new sport modes, Age of Empires III: Definitive Version undoubtedly has a spot amongst modern RTS video games, particularly as one which evokes emotions of nostalgia again to the golden age of RTS video games. Enhancements and extra content material apart, Age of Empires III: Definitive Version was merely enjoyable to play, and jogged my memory as to why the franchise was as fashionable because it was.
*** A preview construct was offered by the writer ***
