We Love It's Guide to…
Lead a power into the New World or command Asian factions in a real-time strategy game of settlement, resources, and warfare.
Released 05 Jan 2012
Plan Home-City Shipments
Build New World Colonies
Manage a War Economy
Microsoft Studios brings you three epic Age of Empires III games in one monumental collection for the first time.
Developed by Ensemble Studios · Published by Xbox Game Studios
This collection brings together three Age of Empires III games. Players command European powers exploring the New World or take part in struggles for power in Asia.
Build settlements, gather resources, develop an economy, and raise armies to fight rival forces. Each civilization brings a different set of strengths and ways to approach a match.
Play story campaigns or skirmishes, with multiplayer also included as a mode. A Home City system lets players send shipments such as troops, supplies, and technologies using cards; leveling up unlocks more cards and customizations.
Players often praise the game’s distinctive Home City shipments and card system, varied civilizations, campaigns, and skirmishes. Nostalgia and the colonial-era atmosphere are recurring sources of enjoyment, with some also calling out the music and visual effects. Some reviewers, however, lament the loss of multiplayer support, and others criticize the game’s age or compare it unfavorably with Age of Empires II.
| Platforms | Windows |
|---|---|
| Achievements | 0 |
| Age ratings |
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| Players | 1–8 |
| Play modes |
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| Other modes |
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| Multiplayer | Age of Empires III (2007) supports multiplayer and single-player skirmish. The official description states multiplayer services exist and require a manual backend patch after September 1, 2021. Reviews describe online multiplayer, co-op vs AI, team play, LAN play, custom/modded games, treaty mode, and skirmish against AI. Multiple reviews explicitly state support for up to 8 players. |
| Multiplayer & mods | Multiplayer requires an official manual patch to continue using Microsoft-owned backend services after the old ESO domain was repurposed. Reviews also mention the ESOC patch, XPMOD/Home City leveling tools, modded modes, custom scenarios, observer UI, new maps, and that some patches and mods are used by the competitive community. One review notes some progression-related tools require another player to use online. |
| Controller required | No |
| DRM / EULA |
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| Content notices |
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| Metacritic | 81/100 View on Metacritic |
| Website | Official website |
