Microsoft & Ensemble Studios have combined to produce a third installment of their extremely popular Age of Empires Series. Continuing the historical progression of the previous two games, AoE III focusses on the Age of Discovery and the colonization of the New World.
Serious gamers were quick to snap up the much-anticipated sequel, which sports many new and advanced features, but wider adoption seems to have been slowed by the game's hefty system requirements. This edition requires Windows XP for starters, plus 256 Mb RAM, 2 Gb free HDD space, and a (minimum) 64Mb video card, Not to mention a 1.4 GHz or faster Intel or AMD CPU.
As you might hope with all that processing muscle behind it, the graphics are stunning. Building upon the excellent but neglected Age of Mythology engine, Ensemble has added HDR lighting effects and pixel shader 3.0 for truly photorealistic imaging. Action sequences are also much improved by the inclusion of the Havok physics engine.
Gameplay has been improved as well with considerable customization in the hands of players through the new home cities. Trading has been upgraded, requiring players to establish trading posts along trade routes which develop from initial footpaths ultimately into railroads.
Combat has also been improved with better AI and increased benefits accruing to units deployed in formation. The military units available have also changed from previous versions, reflecting the game's advanced timeline. Most notably, gunpowder is widely used, giving units much greater destructive power at a distance.
Since the graphics are so striking, the official website provides an unusual number and variety of screenshots
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