Difficulty:

Just Right

Time Spent:

40 to 100 Hours

The Bottom Line:

"Amazing"

gameplay
age of empires 3 is a rts game. you can choose between 8 nations to conquer the new world. you must villagers, they can mine resources(food, wood, gold) and with this resources you can build fight units like, musketeers, cannons, cavalry, ships etc. to destry your opponent. you play in colonial era. during the game you can advance to five epics, each unlocking new units and technologies but all within the colonial era. combat is colourful and easy to master, you need to build different units to win, it is impossible to win with 1 type of units only, since they have counterparts. the gameplay is like in forerunner aoe 2. the gameplay is slower. you have now home city system, the units are rock paper scissors effect and you can ally with indians.
campaign can get a little boreing on some levels enemy aican be a little stupid if in tight areas.
native tribes
you have the ability to ally with native tribes, this can be really use full for unlocking new upgrades and units at the trading posts.
home city
home city setup is a change, you can upgrade and unlock units from experience gained in the campaign or you can order supplies to aid you in your quest to build you town. the cites can also be upgraded through experience, adding stuff to increase the citizens morale and so on with the riches from the new land.
experience
on the map you have roads/trade routes where you can build a trading post and each time a merchant goes past you get experience that can be used for up grades or supplies at you home city. experience can be gained by finding secrets on the map or destroying enimy encampments and buildings.

graphics
graphics are good for the time of release but are slightly more cartoonish than real life. when building are destroyed they do fall a part in an impresive way, the landscape is rich in color and in some parts has a good blend trees, animals, logs and even turtles by the waters edge. the water is reflective and shimmers givinf a good inpression of real water for this graphical game type.

online
this game is actually alot of fun online, there are many challenges and different ways to play so your opponent won't be a bland fight. There is a quick online setup and a custom setup for those who like a little more control over the game type. there are a fair few people online and some people are very good so looking for an easier or even a team based game would be reccomended at first.