Age of Empires III: The Asian Dynasties Expansion Pack

by Microsoft

Product Features

• NA DVD BOX CD

Product Details

• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B000U92L8A
• Product Dimensions: 5.4 x 1.3 x 7.5 inches ; 6.4 ounces
• Media: Video Game
• Release Date: October 23, 2007
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (41 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,333 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)
  • #8 in Video Games > PC Games > Strategy > Real-Time
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

Platform: PC

Amazon.com

Age of Empires III: The Asian Dynasties is the second expansion pack for the massively popular Age of Empires III.

Features:

• Playable Asian civilizations. Lead one of three unique Asian civilizations--Japan, China and India--to expand their empires and fight for control in the Eastern world. Each Asian civilization, led by powerful leaders, will have unique groups, armies and wonders, as well as buildings that reflect the culture’s architectural style.
• New gameplay elements. Extending upon the innovative gameplay of Age of Empires III, Age of Empires: The Asian Dynasties introduces ways of winning and trading, random map styles that feature remixes of classic Age of Empires game styles, and 15 new Asian Wonders.
• Exciting new single-player campaign. Returning to the historical, civilization-based single-player campaigns, gamers will enjoy the solo experience a chance to engage in strategic combat with Japan, China or India through several engrossing scenarios.
• This second expansion pack will also ship as a Games for Windows title with easier installation, reliability standards and support for key features of Windows Vista, including the Games Explorer and Parental Controls.

Product Description

Microsoft Age of Empires 3 YPack Win32 English North America CD DVD Box

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

108 of 111 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THE EXPANSION THAT MAKES Age Of Empires 3 TRULY SHINE!, October 25, 2007

By 

NeuroSplicer (Freeside, in geosynchronous orbit) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

= Fun:4.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Age of Empires III: The Asian Dynasties Expansion Pack (Video Game)

This is a solid expansion to the AGE OF EMPIRES III, the one you will play for hours at end. Although the 3rd installment of AoE was the weakest of the series (I personally enjoyed much more AGE OF EMPIRES II), I have to admit that I was really pleased by this expansion - and cannot complain but about minor things.

After the lukewarm WARCHIEFS, which introduced Native American civilizations, this expansion introduces three major Asian civilizations (Japanese, Chinese, and Indian) - with their corresponding campaigns.
The Japanese campaign takes place during the Shogunate civil wars. The Chinese campaign (trying to avoid any...political shoals) is on the fictional discovery of the New World by the Chinese (I would have preferred it to be about the unification of China under the Qin dynasty - but, then again, that would make it quite similar to the Japanese campaign). Finally, the Indian campaign is centered on the uprooting of the British East-India Trading Company.
All three campaigns follow a scenario that will surprise you at many points (and frustrate you in some others). Nevertheless, keep in mind that this is an RTS game - so don't expect a JAMES CLAVELL novel plot twists.

The graphics are just a notch better than WARCHIEFS, the interface has received only minor retouching strokes and one can rely on finding, once more, the known exceptional gameplay. Not only are the new units carefully balanced, they can be seamlessly incorporated with the previous AGE OF EMPIRES III units. Stacking Samurai infantry against Highlanders anyone? (yes, only one can survive in the end...)

My only complain is the music: AoE's are of the games that are played for endless hours. So music is important not to be tiresome. This being the ASIAN DYNASTIES expansion, I felt that the game developers missed the chance of introducing some new and distinctly Japanese, Chinese and Indian tunes. Well, one can always bring his own music I guess...

One of the best expansions this year.

RECOMMENDED.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Asian dynasties - A sweet addition, November 23, 2007

By 

M. Yushkov (BROOKLYN, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

= Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Age of Empires III: The Asian Dynasties Expansion Pack (Video Game)

Well i dont want to spoil anyone by giving out too many details about China, India and Japan. ill just say that 3 new nations are unique, fun and easy to play with. All have specific only to them cards, wonders, military units. The artists at Big Huge Games did a great job of capturing the unique building structures for the new factions too. They all share similar economic tree but have elemets that distinct them like Japan can't hunt but has Cherry Orchard, and its houses serve as shrines that attract wild animals and generate 3 different resources one ata time. India cant kill cows from lifestock but uses them to gather Export, a new resource which you can spend to buy some units from Consulate where you ally with European nations. Each new side has own strategy it can implement. India relies heavily on Elephants, China on its Banner Army. Its very fun, voice acting of villagers is excellent and amuzing as always so its really a joy to listen villagers speak back on new languages. Graphics are passable, they are a bit oldy compared to some other rts games on the market but the gameplay is what counts. Its a rare and generous package of new visuals, new gameplay, and absolutely crucial improvements to the core game. If you weren't an Age III fan before Asian Dynasties, get ready to be one now. A good title for fans, worth buying for those hoping for a reinvigoration of the series.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Newer maps, more experience cards, and more fun, January 20, 2008

By 

M. Becerra "Jaridian1" (Colorado) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

= Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Age of Empires III: The Asian Dynasties Expansion Pack (Video Game)

This expansion pack adds extra challenges with newer maps like the Silk Road map which allows for capturing trading posts instead of building them and further adding the option for a "monopoly win" of the routes. Other maps have treasures and guardians in the sea as well as on land. You can now earn up to having 25 experience cards in a deck as you progress in experience and they have done away with that lame customization of a home city which never made much sense. The experience cards for the new civilizations are also more diverse and innovative than the standard ones in Age III. For loyal players of the series you may get a sense that Age of Mythology was the influence for many of the new features, and a happy marriage at that.

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