Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition

Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition

Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition is a real-time strategy video game developed by Tantalus Media and Forgotten Empires and published by Xbox Game Studios. It is a remaster of the original game Age of Empires III, celebrating the 15th anniversary of the original. It features significantly improved visuals, a remastered soundtrack, two new game modes, and two new civilizations. It includes all previous expansions from the original game. It was released on October 15, 2020.

The core gameplay elements are shared heavily with the original but Definitive Edition builds upon it. The remaster includes new 4K Ultra HD graphics, rebuilt 3D assets, improved destruction animations on buildings, a spectator mode, an overhauled and scalable UI, mod support, new server-based online multiplayer with cross-network play, new maps, and remastered sounds and music. It features two new civilizations: Inca and Swedes with two new game modes: The Art of War and Historical Battles. It includes all previous expansions from the original game (The WarChiefs, The Asian Dynasties).

The AI was improved, and a new ‘extreme’ difficulty level was added. The number of cheats AI uses in the original game was reduced. The new AI can micromanage now, it’s much better at picking units, reading the map, reading its opponent’s army, making well-rounded army compositions, retreating from lost battles, and hit-and-run tactics on the highest levels.

Expansions
On April 13th, 2021, an expansion pack adding the United States civilization was released. It was developed by Tantalus media and Forgotten Empires.