Age of Empires III was well received by critics and reviewers. The game received an average score of 86%, and is the seventy-first most popular personal computer game, according to Game Rankings.[46] Age of Empires III was listed as the eighth best-selling PC game of 2005,[47] and over two million copies of it had been sold by May 2007.[3]
Reviewers had much to say about the new title in the Age of Empires franchise. GameSpot pointed out that “Age of Empires III has some very big shoes to fill,”[48] and GameSpy remarked that it “may not redefine real-time strategy gaming, but it sets the bar so high that we will be comparing games to this for years.”[49] IGN also commented on the game, saying “Age of Empires III is a superbly balanced and polished game,” and that “Discounting a few niggles in the interface, the whole presentation is rock solid.”[40] Game Revolution complained that it is “as detailed as a history book, and about as much fun;”[41] GameZone disagreed, and said it was “one purchase you will not come to regret.”[43]
The game’s visuals were highly praised by all reviewers. In a preview, IGN said that “After seeing the screenshots, our jaws hit the floor at the amount of detail,”[50] while in their review, 1UP.com described it as “one of the most beautiful games you will put on your computer for the foreseeable future;”[44] GameSpy agreed, stating, “Age III’s graphics are unmatched in the strategy genre.”[39] GameSpot also admired the graphics, but had a negative comment as well; they said, “Were it not for the awkward unit behavior…Age of Empires III would look truly amazing.”[48] GameSpy awarded Age of Empires III the “Best Graphics” award at GameSpy’s “Game of the Year 2005,” mentioning that the graphics engine boasted “all the high-end technology you had normally find in first-person shooters.”[51]
The in-game audio was also commented upon. GameZone praised the sound effects, saying that “you will feel the explosions of the cannon balls, the muskets firing their endless volleys, and the destruction of a building. It all sounds extremely realistic, and makes the game come that much more alive.”[43] Eurogamer briefly said “AoE3…sounds fantastic,”[42] while Game Revolution mentioned that “The ambient sounds, music and voice work all suit the colonial theme.”[41] However, IGN was not as impressed, saying that the sound was “Good enough…but does not stand out.”[40]
Reviewers were divided as to the single player campaign. GameSpot thought it was “standard for a real-time strategy game,” but also complained that it had “less-than-stellar voice work and awkward cutscenes;”[48] GameSpy agreed that Age of Empires III’s campaign is not revolutionary, but thought that “the voice acting is great.”[52] IGN praised the campaign’s story, in that it gave the player a “nice sense of purpose”; they thought “The 24-mission campaign is very well designed.”[53] Eurogamer said the campaign lacked originality, in because though it was “well-written and imaginatively framed” it “offers exactly the same kind of challenges that RTS campaigns have been offering for years;”[42] Game Revolution disliked the campaign more than the other reviewers. Comparing it to Age of Empires II’s campaign, they said: “The plot actually got worse. Age of Empires III…avoids all the interesting and prickly issues like genocide, epidemics and slavery, instead subbing in a wimpy tale of a family destined to protect the Holy Grail from a Satanic Cult.”[41]
Imperial German Uhlans battling Imperial British battleships in a skirmish.
Age of Empires III’s multiplayer was highly lauded, and the home city was so as well. The topic of multiplayer was touched by GameZone, who said “this game demands multiplayer mode, and Ensemble Studios provided this for the players,”[43] while at 1UP, the reviewer said similarly that “Multiplayer support has been significantly upgraded with a slick interface, support for clans and a number of other useful features.”[44] VideoGamer stated: “The multiplayer mode is likely to entertain well beyond the campaign and will no doubt keep you busy;” GameSpy merged the topics of multiplayer and the home city, saying, “One nice side effect…is that, even if you get totally ass-whupped in a multiplayer game, you probably still earned a lot of experience to…develop your city.”[52] GameSpy commented on the home city as well, saying “the ‘home city’ system creates long-term depth and strategy.”[38]The only negative comment about the home city was made by EuroGamer: “Stop with the gifts!…You do not need to let me flick to a home city screen every few minutes so that I can select a free unit or resource windfall. I’m not some spoilt toddler that needs to be bribed with endless sweeties.”[42]
The game was presented with two awards by GameSpy in 2005: ‘Real-time strategy game of the year’[54] and ‘Best Graphics’.[55] It was also given an ‘honorable mention’ in the ‘Best Music’ category.[56] GameSpy was highly praising of the game overall, giving it 5 stars in its review,[57] which was particularly positive about the graphics and multiplayer experience. The game was named 5th best game of 2005 by GameSpy.[58]
Other awards,[59] including an ‘Outstanding’ from GameZone,[60] reflect the positive critical reception of the game.
Yahoo!’s report[61] had many positive features. They praised the effort put into the graphics and physics but maintained that these are essentially eye-candy. They were disappointed by the traditional economics-based strategy of the game and believed that this, coupled with the lack of useful formation and tactics, meant that the game does not stand up to other modern real-time strategy games. Eurogamer shared these final thoughts and described the new homecity shipments, along with all the treasures scattered around the map, as silly and childish ways of trying to complement the game’s lack of strategy and tactical choices. Still, it recognized that Ensemble Studios was brave to implement “something quite different” from other real time strategy games, the homecity concept.[42]
In December 2006, the Governor of Texas chose Age of Empires III as his “featured game of the month.”[62] Age of Empires III was the 8th best-selling PC game of 2005 despite its late release, and has sold over 2 million copies to date.[63][64]
