Few months ago, first screenshots emerged. Fans old and new called it “a visual orgasm”. Indeed, the first screenshots were so amazingly detailed that it looked impossible that they were from the game itself. After E3, things are shaping up. Screens still look amazing, there are videos as well and a brand new official web site.
Now, I know there are other games. I know there is that KillZone awesome-looking demo for PS3. That’s all fine and jolly. But Age of Empires is the only game I played for more than one year. I played Rise of Rome, than Age of Kings than Conquerors for something like five years. I simply don’t have time to play anymore, but if I find time, I would always go to Zone and play AoC. It is the best 2D real-time strategy ever made and believe me I tried them many.
When AoM came, it did not really struck me that hard. Actually far from it. They took away the best thing from AoE – reincarnation. I was bitten down to the only 50 (or sometimes 10) vils so many times in team games, and with help from team mates reincarnated in several minutes with new army, new economy and joined the fray again. In AoM, with limited number of places I could rebuilt, this was not possible and huge slice of fun is cut off.
I’m a firm believer that 3D strategies will never be as good as 2D. 3D greatly diminishes the playability. I don’t know how to explain it, but I always had much more fun playing 2D than 3D.
The mere mention of AoE name ignites the sparks in head and fingers. I don’t know whether it will be as good as AoC, but damn sure I’m gonna buy it and try. I can’t bloody wait. If only they allow me to build wherever I want, whatever I want. Man, that would be awesome.
It is insane how detailed the screens are! I hope somebody leaks a beta version. Pleeease, pleeease! :)
ahhhhhhh i hope so too!!!
More screenshots here :) : http://empireearth.free.fr/aoe-iii/screenshots-age-of-empires-iii.html
ah someone musst leak a version a aktually have downloaded 3 versions but no one was a real one ;( i hate irc if someone know something pls post :)
so long aoe lover ^^
So demo is out…now everybody can see the game on his own computer
leak version i believe is out i’m downloading it right now it seems to be in italian who cares right?:)
i was an old member of this ftp site http://www.freewebs.com/crazymp3z they got it ..downloading it now since i just came back in on it..email the guy he might let u in
Thanks guys, but I think I’ll wait for the final version. I constantly swamped with work, thus I would not have time to play anyway. :(
Any links to a leaked version?
Hey all i am joe i am a AOC player i play in Zone one of the top player hey i welcome you all to play agein lol if you are email me lol or go to Zone i am _AC_x_G4M13L4 ok if i change clan i will alwas be G4M13L4 ok just look for that peace out AOC is the best!!
http://www.mininova.org/tor/127211
Here’s a bittorrent leak
One of the few games I deinstalled after 20 minutes of playing. IMHO, poor substitute of Cossacks.
As for screenshot, it is prerendered.
Cheers…
I’m still trying to find time to play a bit more (managed to try just one 1v1 game vs comp). The overal feeling is exactly the same as with Age of Mythology — 3D just doesn’t cut it for RTS games.
When you say “…It is the best 2D real-time strategy ever made…”, you speak about graphics ? gameplay ? technics or both ?
Do you know Starcraft ? (almost 10 years old 2D RTS)
Technically and networked, for me, this is the best 2DRTS ever.
Pierre, I speak about everything, especially playability. 2D gives me much better sense of what is going on the screen and the characters simply fight when I tell them to, do not parade like those battleships in AoE3.
Yes, the graphics are fancy in AoE3 and that is more realistic behavior for the ships, but I don’t like it — it’s slow, if nothing else.
AoK/AoC is magnificent in every aspect. With 4 resources and 100+ techs it is complex enough to give rise to new playing styles even 3 or 4 years after release. With the ability to root your Town Center anywhere you want it offers unlimited rebirths in 4v4 games.
Man, I had games where we played until the last tree standing — I think that screenshot from one of those games was posted somewhere — not a single tree standing and only a handful of soldiers and about 300 villagers standing, as the last resource that run out was food and we were putting vils to fight. :)
I did try SC, but could never get me as AoK. I don’t know, maybe I did not give it enough time.
Pierre, yes I like Starcraft and I like it a lot. I still play it! My top three games would be, in no particular order: Cossacks (just about any flavor), Warhammer 40k (Dawn of War and Winter Assault) and Starcraft. AOE (any) would be maybe on 4th place. I am not exactly sure why…
Though, I was never as serious player of AOE as Aleksandar is, but still… Maybe I’m not much of a resource management guy.
These days, I’m mostly playing Warhammer 40K (both). Boy, the game is freaking mayhem! A must for any RTS fan.
Regards!
I also think that AoC beats AoeIII. :P
Even though i do like AOE, Cossacks i feel is just that bit better.……It’s 3D but runs like a 2D game.….plus the ability to have thousands of men just rules.….
AOE3 does have stunning graphics.…but when it comes to gameplay.….it is no match for former RTS games.
There are a bunch of games that I wanted to try out, but never had time for. Cossacks is one of them, Rise of Nations as well. Those precious few hours I can set aside for gaming, I use for AoC.