Age of Empires III
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.