What is AT's opinion of AoE 3?

[Via]

I only bought one game over the holiday, so I might be able to convince myself to cough up the 20 bones for AoE 3.

I loved the original (one of my favorite games ever), and liked the sequel. I didn't play AoE 2 nearly as much. As a matter of fact - I bought the expansion and never got around to installing it.

I've been drawn to "classic" PC games more and more lately. Is AoE 3 worth the $, or should I just try to get into AoE 2+expansion instead?

 

[MWink]

I know a lot of people disagree but I really like AOE3. AOE1 would probably have been my favorite if it had the polish of AOE3, but nothing did back then. I'm not sure why but I never really liked AOE2 as much as the others. I think AOE3 is probably worth $20 if you've never played it, though I do think that price is a little steep for a game that old.

Also I know you didn't ask about it but I thought I should mention that the new AOE: Online is a huge step back in most ways. So far I've been very disappointed in that grind-fest. It's too bad that Ensemble Studios (the company that made AOE1-3) no longer exists.

 

[Via]

It's described as "three seperate games", which I assume means the original + 2 expansions.

So at around $7 a piece it's ok for me, as long as it's fun.

 

[CPA]

One of the expansions is a combo real-time and turned based.

 

[frozentundra123456]

I know a lot of people disagree but I really like AOE3. AOE1 would probably have been my favorite if it had the polish of AOE3, but nothing did back then. I'm not sure why but I never really liked AOE2 as much as the others. I think AOE3 is probably worth $20 if you've never played it, though I do think that price is a little steep for a game that old.

Also I know you didn't ask about it but I thought I should mention that the new AOE: Online is a huge step back in most ways. So far I've been very disappointed in that grind-fest. It's too bad that Ensemble Studios (the company that made AOE1-3) no longer exists.

I would agree with you on AOE3. I havent played AOE: Online so I cant really comment about it.
I like the original game and the Asian Dynasties expansion. I thought the Warchief's expansion was kind of lame. I still play the game occasionally. I actually played a lot of skirmish mode against the computer. The single player campaigns were sort of mediocre though. The graphics actually still hold up surprisingly well for such an old game. If I didnt have the game already and both expansions, I would definitely get it.

 

[frozentundra123456]

One of the expansions is a combo real-time and turned based.

Are you sure? I have played the original game and both expansions. I dont recall any turn based modes. The expansions basically just add more civs and a short single player campaign.

My favorite expansion was the Asian Dynasties. Some of the buildings and landscapes in that really looked outstanding for the time and still hold up well.

 

[MWink]

I agree that skirmish mode was usually much more fun than the campaigns. That's the biggest problem with AOE: Online. It has no skirmish mode! (or at least last time I played it)

I'm a bit confused as well. I don't remember any turn based parts in any of the AOE 1-3 games and I have all of them and all of the expansions.

 

[Firsttime]

AoE III was pretty solid. It's for sure a much better single player experience then the other games were. I'm not a fan of the persistent stuff though, cities and cards and stuff. Still a solid game. I spent $60 on it the day it came out and didn't regret it. Nothing AoE though comes close to touching how fun multiplayer was in Age of Kings though.

 

[BlueWeasel]

One of the expansions is a combo real-time and turned based.

You sure about that? Sounds like Rise of Nations.

 

[TheSlamma]

No there is no turn based in Asian Dynasties or War Chiefs

For me the single player in AoE3 and WC was a more fun storyline then AD added but AD added some fun cards for skirmish and MP. IMO AoE3 is a very good RTS and worth $20. But I also think if you are looking into AoE2 with it's expansion that is worth playing too. Many people liked AoE2 a lot more than 3, but I liked all of the Age series for different reasons (except AoE:Online.. that's a rag)

Just know that the engine from AoE2 is a much older version than is in AoE3.. the one thing I really noticed is the sound effects.. man they are bad in AoE2 by today's standards While I think AoE3's sound and graphics hold fine to RTS's like DoW2

 

[Maximilian]

No there is no turn based in Asian Dynasties or War Chiefs

For me the single player in AoE3 and WC was a more fun storyline then AD added but AD added some fun cards for skirmish and MP. IMO AoE3 is a very good RTS and worth $20. But I also think if you are looking into AoE2 with it's expansion that is worth playing too. Many people liked AoE2 a lot more than 3, but I liked all of the Age series for different reasons (except AoE:Online.. that's a rag)

Just know that the engine from AoE2 is a much older version than is in AoE3.. the one thing I really noticed is the sound effects.. man they are bad in AoE2 by today's standards While I think AoE3's sound and graphics hold fine to RTS's like DoW2

How come?

 

[notposting]

Have played a couple games of AOE3 over the holidays, still plenty of fun and holds up well, though the cards can engender some grief but they add another layer as well.

I loved AOM as well. Liked COH, though the expansions were a bit meh, DOW2 and its followups were fun...plus now I get to maim things in first person in the Space Marine game heh.

Starcraft was my first love though...I haven't played SC2 yet. If all they had done was allowed higher resolutions and increased (or removed) the pop cap of the original, I would've been happy.

 

[Scooby Doo]

I got it on clearance for $10. I thought it was very fun, although I can't go higher than beginner mode without getting mauled lol

 

[CPA]

No there is no turn based in Asian Dynasties or War Chiefs

For me the single player in AoE3 and WC was a more fun storyline then AD added but AD added some fun cards for skirmish and MP. IMO AoE3 is a very good RTS and worth $20. But I also think if you are looking into AoE2 with it's expansion that is worth playing too. Many people liked AoE2 a lot more than 3, but I liked all of the Age series for different reasons (except AoE:Online.. that's a rag)

Just know that the engine from AoE2 is a much older version than is in AoE3.. the one thing I really noticed is the sound effects.. man they are bad in AoE2 by today's standards While I think AoE3's sound and graphics hold fine to RTS's like DoW2

Hmmmm....I thought I read it somewhere recently. Maybe I was thinking of another game.

 

[gothamhunter]

Aoe2>aoe1>aoe3, imo.

 

[Gothgar]

Aoe2>aoe1>aoe3, imo.

That is approximately how I feel on the subject.

The difference is small though IMO. 3 is still super fun and I played the shit out of it when it came out.

I probably ever played AoE2 the most though.

 

[Red Storm]

AOE2 is one of the greatest games of all time IMHO. AOE3 isn't bad, but it's just not quite as good.

 

[Scooby Doo]

Aoe2>aoe1>aoe3, imo.

Personally, ao2>~aoe3>aoe1

While aoe1 was good for its time, the other two have added a good deal of improvements over it.