Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition
{{short description|2020 real-time strategy video game}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2020}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition
| image = Age_of_Empires_III_Definitive_Edition_cover_art.jpg
| caption =
| developer = {{Plainlist|
| publisher = Xbox Game Studios
| artist =
| composer = Stephen Rippy
| series = Age of Empires
| released = October 15, 2020
| genre = Real-time strategy
| modes = Single-player, multiplayer
| platforms = Windows
| director = Adam Isgreen
}}
Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition is a real-time strategy video game developed by Tantalus Media and Forgotten Empires and published by Xbox Game Studios. It is a remaster of the 2005 game Age of Empires III, celebrating the 15th anniversary of the original. It features improved visuals, a remastered soundtrack, two new game modes, and four new civilizations, plus African and Mediterranean-themed downloadable content {{as of|June 2022|lc=on}}. The Mediterranean expansion introduces the Italians as a playable civilization, which was planned for the original version of the game but did not appear. It includes all previous expansions from the original game. It was released on October 15, 2020 for Windows.
Gameplay
File:Age of Empires III Definitive Edition gameplay.jpgThe core gameplay elements are shared heavily with the original, but Definitive Edition builds upon it. The remaster includes new 4K Ultra HD graphics, rebuilt 3D assets, improved destruction animations on buildings, a spectator mode, an overhauled and scalable UI, mod support, new server-based online multiplayer with cross-network play, new maps, and remastered sounds and music. It features two new civilizations, the Incas and the Swedes, along with two new game modes, The Art of War and Historical Battles. It includes all previous expansions from the original game (The WarChiefs, The Asian Dynasties).
The AI was improved, and a new "extreme" difficulty level was added. The number of cheats AI uses in the original game was reduced. The new AI can micromanage now, it is better at picking units, reading the map, reading its opponent's army, making well-rounded army compositions, retreating from lost battles, and hit-and-run tactics on the highest levels.
= Expansions =
An expansion pack adding the United States civilization was announced on April 10, 2021 and released on April 13. For a limited time, players could unlock it for free by completing 50 challenges, each themed around a US state.{{Cite web |url=https://www.windowscentral.com/age-2-and-3-de-new-content/ |title=Age of Empires 2 and 3 Definitive Editions are getting new content this year |date=2021-04-10 |first=Cale |last=Hunt |access-date=2021-08-04 |archive-date=August 4, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210804073411/https://www.windowscentral.com/age-2-and-3-de-new-content |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=https://www.ageofempires.com/news/aoe3de-introducing-the-us-civ/ |title=Introducing: the United States Civ, new to Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition! |date=2021-04-13 |author=Age DE Team |access-date=2021-04-14 |archive-date=April 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414050946/https://www.ageofempires.com/news/aoe3de-introducing-the-us-civ/ |url-status=live }}
A second expansion pack, The African Royals, was announced on July 20, 2021 and released on August 2. The African Royals expansion adds two new civilizations, the Ethiopians and the Hausa, as well as three new Historical Battles, 15 new African maps, 5 new indigenous African civilizations to ally with, and 11 new achievements.{{Cite web|title=Age of Empires 3's Africa-themed expansion drops next month|url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/age-of-empires-iii-definitive-edition/dlc-african-royals|date=2021-07-21|access-date=2021-08-04|website=PCGamesN|language=en-GB|archive-date=August 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210810121851/https://www.pcgamesn.com/age-of-empires-iii-definitive-edition/dlc-african-royals|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|title=AVAILABLE NOW – Age of Empires III: DE – The African Royals|url=https://www.ageofempires.com/news/availablenow-african-royals/|date=2021-08-02|access-date=2021-08-04|website=www.ageofempires.com|language=en-US|archive-date=August 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210804072531/https://www.ageofempires.com/news/availablenow-african-royals/|url-status=live}}
An expansion pack adding the Mexico civilization was announced on November 22, 2021 and released on December 1. In addition to the new civilization, several historical battle scenarios were added to the game centered around both the Mexican civilization and the United States civilization, as well as 10 new achievements and additional content for the American civilization.{{cite web |url=https://www.ageofempires.com/news/introducing-new-mexico-civilization-aoeiii_de/ |title=Introducing: the Mexico Civilization, new to Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition! |date=2021-12-01 |author=Age DE Team |access-date=2021-12-28 |archive-date=December 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211227173940/https://www.ageofempires.com/news/introducing-new-mexico-civilization-aoeiii_de/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.ageofempires.com/news/aoeiii-definitive-edition-update-54545/ |title=Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition — Update 54545 |date=2021-11-30 |author=Age DE Team |access-date=2021-12-28 |archive-date=December 29, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211229010021/https://www.ageofempires.com/news/aoeiii-definitive-edition-update-54545/ |url-status=live }}
Another expansion pack, Knights of the Mediterranean, was announced on May 12, 2022 and released on May 26, adding both Italian and Maltese (Knights Hospitaller) civilizations.{{cite web |url=https://www.ageofempires.com/games/aoeiiide/knights-of-the-mediterranean/ |title=Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition – Knights of the Mediterranean |website=Age of Empires |date=2022-05-13 |access-date=2022-05-26 |archive-date=May 29, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220529073633/https://www.ageofempires.com/games/aoeiiide/knights-of-the-mediterranean/ |url-status=live }} It also added 30 new random maps, 9 new minor civilizations called Royal Houses, 8 historical maps, two new game modes (Diplomacy and Tycoon) and 25 new achievements.
Release
On August 21, 2017, at Gamescom, Microsoft announced Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition. On August 20, 2019, Microsoft announced Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition was in development by Tantalus Media.
On January 23, 2020, Microsoft announced that the closed beta would begin in early February. Each beta session will include a small piece of the game. Larger closed beta sessions will be dedicated to multiplayer and matchmaking. Campaign beta sessions will be limited to a very small group of players and only certain missions.{{cite news |last=Bailey |first=Dustin |date=January 23, 2020 |title=The Age of Empires 3 Definitive Edition beta starts in February |website=pcgamesn.com |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/age-of-empires-3-definitive-edition/beta |url-status=live |access-date=January 23, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200124081303/https://www.pcgamesn.com/age-of-empires-3-definitive-edition/beta |archive-date=January 24, 2020}} The first closed beta session began on February 11, 2020, and ended on February 19, 2020.{{cite tweet|number=1227311020538056704|user=AgeOfEmpires|title=🏹 #AoE3DE: Incoming, Insiders! First round of invites are out now—sign up as an Insider and keep that profile updated if you'd like your chance at joining our beta! ageofempires.com/insiders|date=February 11, 2020}}.{{cite web |author=Licidy |date=February 19, 2020 |title=Uninstalling the Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition Beta |url=https://forums.ageofempires.com/t/uninstalling-the-age-of-empires-iii-definitive-edition-beta/71908 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200324022159/https://forums.ageofempires.com/t/uninstalling-the-age-of-empires-iii-definitive-edition-beta/71908 |archive-date=March 24, 2020}} The second closed multiplayer session began on March 31 and ran through April 7, 2020.{{cite tweet|number=1245049249924091907|user=AgeOfEmpires|title=Prepare your stations: #AoE3DE Beta keys are out! Good luck to you all and remember: check your spam just in case, brush up on the NDA and leave your feedback on the Beta forums. We're counting on you! ⚔️ For a chance at this and other Beta opportunities: ageofempires.com/insiders!|date=March 31, 2020}}.
On August 27, 2020, Microsoft revealed the announce trailer at Gamescom. The game was released on Steam, Microsoft Store, and Xbox Game Pass on October 15, 2020.
Reception
{{Video game reviews
}}
Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition received "generally favorable" reviews according to review aggregator Metacritic with a score of 75/100 from 46 reviews. Windows Central's Samuel Tolbert praised the new graphics and campaign changes but criticized the AI path finding.
{{-}}
References
{{Reflist|refs=
{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/age-of-empires-2-and-3-remasters-announced/1100-6452723/|title=Age Of Empires 2 And 3 Remasters Announced|last=Knezevic|first=Kevin|date=August 21, 2017|website=GameSpot|publisher=CBS Interactive|accessdate=December 3, 2020|archive-date=July 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180726104041/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/age-of-empires-2-and-3-remasters-announced/1100-6452723/|url-status=live}}
{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/age-of-empires-iii-definitive-edition/critic-reviews/?platform=pc|title=Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition for PC Reviews|website=Metacritic|language=en|access-date=December 3, 2020|archive-date=November 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201118044614/https://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/age-of-empires-iii-definitive-edition|url-status=live}}
}}
{{Age of Empires series}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Age of Empires 3 Definitive Edition}}
Category:Age of Discovery video games
Category:Cultural depictions of George Armstrong Custer
Category:Cultural depictions of George Washington
Category:Cultural depictions of Isabella I of Castile
Category:Cultural depictions of José de San Martín
Category:Cultural depictions of Simón Bolívar
Category:Japan in non-Japanese culture
Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games
Category:Multiplayer online games
Category:Real-time strategy video games
Category:Video games about the American Revolution
Category:Video games about samurai
Category:Video games developed in Australia
Category:Video games developed in the United States
Category:Video games set in Chile
Category:Video games set in Cuba
Category:Video games set in feudal Japan
Category:Video games set in Florida
Category:Video games set in India
Category:Video games set in New England
Category:Video games set in Malta
Category:Video games set in Mexico
Category:Video games set in Texas
Category:Video games set in the Qing dynasty
Category:Video games set in Venezuela
Category:Video games using Havok