Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition

 PC
User Score
6.3

Mixed or average reviews- based on 111 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 55 out of 111
  2. Mixed: 21 out of 111
  3. Negative: 35 out of 111
Buy Now
Buy on

Review this game

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. Avadon
    Oct 17, 2020
    6
    I haven't had any performance issues or crashes personally, but the game doesn't really look that much better than the original. There are also plenty of sound issues, especially volume and mixing related since there are several units whose responses are almost inaudible. There are also tons of bugs from the old version that haven't been fixed, like pathfinding and units gettingI haven't had any performance issues or crashes personally, but the game doesn't really look that much better than the original. There are also plenty of sound issues, especially volume and mixing related since there are several units whose responses are almost inaudible. There are also tons of bugs from the old version that haven't been fixed, like pathfinding and units getting permanently stuck on terrain. Multiplayer is also really buggy, with disappearing lobbies, unable to observe games, unable to invite friends etc.

    In general, this is an overall weak effort from the developers. This is not some awesome transformative remaster of the game, plus it needs a lot of patches to become acceptable. It is currently not an essential purchase. Wait a year.    … Expand
  2. Sagerronan
    Oct 18, 2020
    6
    A good upgrade for the most part, the changes to Native Americans is fine, if a little under implemented. It plays well so long as it doesn't crash, which it does. Often. On very good hardware, on average hardware, and on bad hardware. Doesn't matter, I've had maybe 4 crashes out of 12 or so multiplayer games played. It is buggy and crashes frequently. If you crash in a multiplayer game,A good upgrade for the most part, the changes to Native Americans is fine, if a little under implemented. It plays well so long as it doesn't crash, which it does. Often. On very good hardware, on average hardware, and on bad hardware. Doesn't matter, I've had maybe 4 crashes out of 12 or so multiplayer games played. It is buggy and crashes frequently. If you crash in a multiplayer game, you're out. You can't reconnect, if you time out of the game because you crash, you just resign. It's lame. Until then, you're lucky if you can get it to work properly on windows 10. Units gets stuck behind trade posts, unable to move. Until these bugs/crashes are fixed, the game is not really worth buying unless you're playing with friends. I've had zero crashed in the original AoE3, but crashes aplenty in definitive.… Expand
  3. hielrocker
    Sep 28, 2021
    6
    Not the greatest Age of empires. Actually it's the worst of them. Better graphics but go for AOE2, AOE2 or AOM
  4. Mpbpl
    May 3, 2021
    5
    Unfortunately I can't recommend this game. Starting where this version does good, it provides better representation to Native Americans than the old version.... that's it.
    It's a better version of the original but with that said, the original made this franchise have a huge hiatus until AoE2 HD/Definitive and competitive scene gave the franchise new light.
    Talking about the gameplay, it    Unfortunately I can't recommend this game. Starting where this version does good, it provides better representation to Native Americans than the old version.... that's it.
    It's a better version of the original but with that said, the original made this franchise have a huge hiatus until AoE2 HD/Definitive and competitive scene gave the franchise new light.
    Talking about the gameplay, it never really got me like AoE1 and 2, most basic units are ranged units, each spawn in a different number making it hard to keep track of what to create, the game feels a bit slower than previous entries, because of this they created a shipment mechanic, the more points you make you change them for villagers, warriors, fortresses, etc. but that is a bandaid for a problem they themselves created.
    With this I have to say that my biggest gripewith AoE3 is that it makes the franchise go from following historical characters in historical events to fictional characters on fictional events similar to historical ones or helping historical characters, and that sucks... going away from history makes the writing, dialogue, situations so stupid. There was one mission where you help General Washington in his first victory, and you even control him, but after that you go back to follow the fictional captain that is super important but does not exist and is not inspired by anyone.
    That was one of the most stupid decisions ever for the franchise, an Evil Company was created to avoid political problems, which sucks... feels like pandering history.
    All of that together makes this game overall subpar... it's not bad but wait for a discount.    … Expand
  5. Bloodnes
    Oct 18, 2020
    7
    Неплохо, но вторая часть как-то смотрится поинтересней, тут графика показалась более мыльной, но битвы смотрятся эффектней, в целом не залетела, лучше поиграть во вторую часть. 7/10
  6. Mazma
    Dec 25, 2020
    7
    Una decente definitive, anche se col tempo spero migliori, molto pesante e con poche novita attualmente ma e' pure sempre il classico AGE 3.
  7. philipz484
    Jan 2, 2021
    7
    The base version from 2005 was my childhood favourite game It was pleasure to see it renewed with modern time texture resolution standards. I also enjoyed that we now have the Swedes and the Incas but they should be put into the game already in 2005 together with the Polish nation :)
    I would like to rank this game 8+ but the amount of bugs I experienced was to much, I lost all my saves    The base version from 2005 was my childhood favourite game It was pleasure to see it renewed with modern time texture resolution standards. I also enjoyed that we now have the Swedes and the Incas but they should be put into the game already in 2005 together with the Polish nation :)
    I would like to rank this game 8+ but the amount of bugs I experienced was to much, I lost all my saves after doing Steam integrity scan of the game and during the game play I had countless CTDs.    … Expand
  8. raulraso
    Oct 24, 2020
    6
    the game closes suddenly on 1vs1 ranked matches, thats the mayor problem why i stopped playing. Also closes appear game doesnt respond" on windows when playing 4vs4
  9. 6thclub
    Feb 8, 2022
    5
    Good game - graphics look better and gameplay is ok. Campaigns are boring imo.

    There are a few negative aspects. It's buggy, the Multiplayer is lagging and cheaters reign it. They also cut the leveling of the cities, so now it's only for customization. There is no reason to level up now. Unfortunately they added timed events to this game; for example you have do do grindy stuff to    Good game - graphics look better and gameplay is ok. Campaigns are boring imo.

    There are a few negative aspects. It's buggy, the Multiplayer is lagging and cheaters reign it. They also cut the leveling of the cities, so now it's only for customization. There is no reason to level up now.

    Unfortunately they added timed events to this game; for example you have do do grindy stuff to unlock explorer skins, cheats or different other things, but the events are dumb and not fun at all and even limitted, forcing you to play several days and do boring stuff (like build 3 buildings of a type or such).

    Cannot recommend a game with such annoying mechanics added after release... i dont buy or play mobile games, because i cannot play every day for weeks and dislike such mechanics. Now i know why AoE IV looks like a mobile game...    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

68
#68 Most Discussed PC Game of 2020

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 48 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 28 out of 48
  2. Mixed: 20 out of 48
  3. Negative: 0 out of 48
  1. CD-Action
    Feb 8, 2021
    75
    The developers did a great job at ironing out imperfections of the original game and expanding it without messing with its core. There are some visual shortcomings and performance issues, and the AI needs more work, but I longed for a good strategy game and Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition filled that void for me. [13/2020, p.50]
  2. LEVEL (Czech Republic)
    Jan 4, 2021
    60
    Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition is a decent addition to Age of Empires family. While not surprisingly good, it is still a good game, which unfortunately suffers from its technical state. [Issue#307]
  3. GameOver.gr
    Nov 13, 2020
    70
    This is surely the best way to experience a classic and beloved game. Age of Empires III Definitive Edition is a major upgrade to the original even though its gameplay shows its age.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »