Age of Wonders III
Release Date: March 31, 2014
Strategy, fantasy, turn-based, multiplayer, singleplayer, internet
Steam
The fourth installment of the fantasy strategy game series created and expanded by Dutch studio Triumph Software. Age of Wonders III takes place in a fantasy world in which various races and factions are fighting for power. The story campaign of the game focuses on rivalry between two of the factions – the Commonwealth Empire and the Elven Court. Gameplay of Age of Wonders III mixes strategy and cRPG features.
Last Update: April 16, 2014
Age of Wonders III Game Guide & Walkthrough
This guide for the Age of Wonders III is a description of all of the most important elements of the game, as well as detailed hints concerning both campaigns and their endings.
Videos and Screens
[4:26] Age of Wonders III Kazimierz Kaczor plays Age of Wonders III #3 (PL)
[11:20] Age of Wonders III Kazimierz Kaczor plays Age of Wonders III #2
The main pros of the game
- Deep Gameplay Mechanics: The game features a rich mix of empire-building, role-playing, and tactical warfare, making it engaging for both new and veteran players. Users appreciate the unique combat system, which includes flanking attacks and action points for movement and abilities.
- Customization: Players can create and customize their own factions with a variety of races and classes, each offering different units and magical abilities, leading to a high degree of replayability.
- Multiplayer Experience: The game is praised for its multiplayer mode, particularly in PBEM (Play By Email) format, where players can engage in long, strategic games with friends.
- Visuals and Soundtrack: The game is noted for its beautiful graphics and detailed world design, along with a commendable soundtrack that enhances the gaming experience.
- Mod Support: There is a strong modding community that adds to the game's longevity and variety, allowing players to tailor their experiences further.
The main cons of the game
- Difficulty Level: Many users find the campaign missions to be extremely challenging, with some recommending playing on easier settings to enjoy the game without frustration.
- Lack of Language Support: A notable complaint is the absence of Spanish and other language options, limiting accessibility for non-English speakers.
- AI Limitations: Some players feel that the AI can be unpredictable and that forming alliances with AI opponents is often difficult, leading to a more combative experience than desired.
- Balance Issues: There are mentions of balance problems between different races and classes, with some combinations being perceived as overpowered.
The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users
- Unit Deployment in Tactical Phase: Players expressed a desire for the ability to set up units before the tactical phase begins, particularly for defending cities.
- Weather and Terrain Effects: Users noted the absence of weather effects and terrain-based mechanics that could add depth to the strategy.
- Clearer Strategic Map: Some players found the strategic map to be unclear at times, making it difficult to see units against the background.
- Improved Tutorial: A common suggestion was for a better tutorial to guide new players through the game mechanics, as the existing one was considered lacking.
Summary
- Overall, Age of Wonders III is celebrated for its depth, customization, and engaging multiplayer experience, but it also faces criticism regarding its difficulty, AI behavior, and certain missing features.
Summary generated on:
GAMERS Score
Average score from 489 votes. 336 players anticipated the game.
Age of Wonders III Description
Age of Wonders III for PC is the fourth installment of a popular turn-based strategy game series by the Dutch studio, Triumph. The production process lasted for over three years. The developers were financially supported by one of the biggest fans of the series – Markus Persson, the creator of Minecraft.
Story
Age of Wonders III yet again takes the players to a fantasy world where different races and groups fight for dominance. The main campaign allows the players to pick a side of one of the two warring factions – the Empire of the Community, or the Court of the High Elves, created after the unification of dark and forest elves. Several popular characters from the series play an important role in the story, including Merlin.
Mechanics
The gameplay of Age of Wonders III combines elements of strategy and role-playing games. The players explore a sizable maps, discover new locations, meet NPCs, and fight exciting battles. At the same time, they direct the development of their kingdom, including the transformation of the area and the climate to suit the needs of the nation chosen. The developers took care of the multitude of races and cultures which can be lead in the fantastic world.
Starting the game, we choose our leader which represents our nation. The leaders available represent the archetypical classes of roleplaying games such as a priest, warrior, mage, or scout. Each monarch has its own unique abilities and units. At the same time, he or she starts the campaign as a neutral figure, and only our own decisions and governance will determine whether he or she stays this way or turn to the side of good or evil.
The gameplay in Age of Wonders III is aggressive and focused on the war. The only way to win a campaign is to defeat your opponents’ army and conquer their lands. Battles are played on three-dimensional maps covered with a grid of hexes. The developers prepared an extensive system of skirmishes which rewards a proper use of the terrain or attacking enemies from the flank. In addition to standard battles in the open field, there are also sieges and naval battles available.
Game modes
The game offers single player and multiplayer mode. In addition to the campaign, there is an option to test oneself on singular, randomly generated maps, and compete with the computer AI or a live opponent. Multiplayer can be played over the Internet, the mail system (PBEM), via a local area network (LAN), or in the hot chair mode (hotseat).
Technical aspects
In contrast to earlier installments in the series, in Age of Wonders III on PC the developers decided to use an engine that generates three-dimensional graphic environment. It made adjusting the quality of visuals to modern standards in this type of productions possible.
Last updated on August 14, 2015
7
GAMES
in Age of Wonders Game Series
Game Series
Age of Wonders Series
Turn-based strategy series, created by Dutch Triumph Studios. Brand Age of Wonders is sometimes considered the "spiritual successor" of the series Master of Magic.
7 video games
Age of Wonders III Summary
Platforms:
PC / Windows
Developer: Triumph Studios
Publisher: Triumph Studios
Age of Wonders III System Requirements
PC / Windows
Recommended: Core 2 Duo 2.4 GHz, 4 GB RAM, graphic card 1 GB (GeForce 460 or better), 10 GB HDD, Windows XP/Vista/7(SP1)/8/8.1
Age of Wonders 3 for Free on Steam
On the occasion of the upcoming launch of Age of Wonders: Planetfall, Triumph Studios and Paradox Interactive released their previous work, Age of Wonders III, for free. As it usually happens, we have a limited amount of time to add this production to our library.
special offers
Christian Pieniazek
July 12, 2019
Age of Wonders 3 for Free in Humble Store
There's a new game to be acquired for free if you're interested. Age of Wonders III is a great turn-based strategy/RPG hybrid. If you wish to add it to the library you have to hurry up, because you have less than two days before the offer ends.
special offers
Christian Pieniazek
May 9, 2019