It's a great time to be a fan of the RTS genre. Not only are new, quality titles still being made, but old standbys like Starcraft and its sequel are evergreen, and new content is even added to the games sometimes. This is why many have looked forward to Age of Empires 3: Definitive Edition with eagerness.
It's hard to deny that Age of Empires 3: Definitive Edition comes from a long line of excellence. The Age of series is most famous for Empires and its stellar sequel. Even today they are hailed as some of the best RTS games ever made. Spin-off series Age of Mythology likewise found acclaim and an extended life through DLC. However, Age of Empires 3 was where the series started showing its age a bit. Players weren't as excited about it, and now many are no doubt unsure whether they should be excited for its definitive edition.
There's always some apprehension when it comes to definitive editions of games. Mostly players want to know if it's worth another full price purchase of an older game. In the case of Age of Empires 3: Definitive Edition, it seems there is definitely enough to pick up the game for the first time. There may even be enough for players who have played it before to come back for more.
Godisageek (Mick Fraser)
"It’s been a year for remakes, it seems, and Age of Empires III Definitive Edition slots in nicely among the likes of Command & Conquer Remastered. There are enough changes and new additions to make it worth playing again, although younger gamers who have embraced the likes of Crusader Kings III or Civilisation VI may find it a little too straightforward. That being said, it’s a beautiful looking remake with enough depth to keep you thinking while being simple enough for most people to pick up and jump into. This is very much a remaster for the fans – especially given the low price tag for such a huge amount of content – and while newcomers may well find a lot to like, it’s the long-term players who will most likely rally to this flag."
Score: 8.5/10
PCGamesN (Renata Mojola)
"Overall, though, I like Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition, and I think it does tick the boxes it wanted to tick. It’s a more polished and complete version of Age III, with a better user interface, more to see and do in the main menu, two new civs, and some quality-of-life tweaks to grease the wheels of its gameplay. And since it’s a remaster of the first game in the series I ever played, I do have a special place for it in my heart. But I wasn’t entirely blown away either. I like prettier graphics as much as the next person, and I really enjoyed the new game modes and the more sensitive revision of the native civilisations, but I hoped for more in the way of gameplay improvements – better ways to control your army, better response from the AI once you issue a command, and so on."
Score: 7/10
ScreenRant (Toby Arguello)
"RTS games struggled greatly in the between the original Age of Empires III and its Definitive Edition, largely overtaken by MOBAs and character-based shooters on the top of the competitive multiplayer charts, but there has been something of a renaissance in recent years. The awesome dieselpunk action of Iron Harvest helps scratch anyone with a Company of Heroes itch, and now all of the Age of Empires games have been revamped for a modern audience. It's not a complete overhaul like other recent remakes, but with a new Age of Empires game to release in the future, it's more than enough to get players old and new on board with Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition."
Score: 4/5
The Sixth Axis (DominicL)
"Age of Empires III Definitive Edition is a lovingly reworked classic of the RTS genre that modernises in all the right ways. It also serves as the perfect way to prepare for next year's long awaited Age of Empires IV."
Score: 8/10
Windows Central (Samuel Tolbert)
"While the prior remasters provided beautiful new graphics and chunks of new content, the changes here been more subtle yet arguably even more important. Age of Empires and Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings didn't need remasters to feel like incredible games, but here, it feels like Age of Empires III's potential has finally been realized."
Score: 4.5/5
The general consensus seems to be that while the game looks prettier, it has not made a ton of huge changes. For the most part, this works out, since players who liked Age of Empires style RTS will find little to complain about. On top of that, the game did receive some major updates to graphics, plus new playable empires, and even the return of a fan favorite mode.
Perhaps the most commendable change has nothing to do with graphics or gameplay, but rather to story. In the original War Chiefs DLC for Age of Empires 3, there were some problems with the representation of Native Americans and First Nations. To fix this, the devs worked with people from both groups to better represent them in game. Representation is a problem even in games like Super Smash Bros. (somehow), but it really matters in a game that focuses on different groups through history.
That said, there are still problems with the game. It seems that some of the regular, small-scale troubles that have always plagued RTS titles still linger. No option to speed up the game may smart in an era when Age of Empire's speed and even gameplay style is no longer the norm. For everything that Age of Empires 3: Definitive Edition adds, it can't change what it fundamentally is.
But for any fans of the original, or the series as a whole, that probably won't be a problem. It may not be one of the hardest RTS games (at least not all the time), but it seems it can still command a place in many players' hearts.
Age of Empires 3: Definitive Edition is available on PC.