• Site: Age of Empires III: The Asian Dynasties
• Publisher: MacSoft
• Developer: Ensemble Studios
• Genre: Strategy

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By Brad Cook

“Ripped from the headlines.” We typically associate that phrase with such shows as “Law & Order,” but it’s apropos here because the single-player campaign for one of The Asian Dynasties’ three new civilizations takes its cue from the 1421 hypothesis, a relatively recent, well-publicized idea that says Chinese explorers may have stumbled across the New World during the Ming dynasty.

In a story with parallels to Joseph Conrad’s novel “Heart of Darkness,” you follow captain Jian Huang and fellow sailor Lao Chen as they seek to discover the fate of Admiral Wang Jinhai, who was in command of a fleet of treasure ships when he disappeared into uncharted territory. The 1421 hypothesis may be controversial, but this tale of loyalty and betrayal will give you much to ponder.

The other two campaigns are also taken from history, albeit the well-established kind. The Japanese campaign focuses on the unification of the country under Tokugawa Ieyasu, a real samurai who established the Tokugawa Shogunate, which lasted from 1603 through 1868. The Indian campaign features the rebellion of 1857, in which the native Sepoy regiments broke their ties with the British East India Company and fought England’s troops.

A Wealth of Added Features

No matter which nation you control, you’ll gain access to a new resource, Export, which comes in handy when you build a consulate and align with a European nation. Spend your Export points on units, resources, and other shipments from your European ally. The number of nations available for such alliances increases as your Home City gains levels.

Exploration of the game map also reveals six new minor nations with whom Asian, European or Native American empires can ally: the Sufis, the Shaolin, the Zen, the Udasi, the Bhakti, and the Jesuits. Each one offers unique units, such as the Jesuits’ Conquistador and the Sufis’ war elephant, as well as new technologies, including the Shaolins’ clenched fists and Zen meditation.

In addition, Asian Dynasties features new mercenaries whose services you can employ to give your army a boost. For example, the Indian cavalry unit known as the Jat Lancer can easily hold its own against archers and skirmishers, while the Ronin — Japan’s masterless samurai — excels against various types of cavalry. Train them at your monastery (this expansion pack’s version of the saloon) or ask your Home City to send them.

New Ways to Play

When you want to advance to a new Age, you’ll need to build a Wonder, as opposed to researching the changeover. Each of the Asian civilizations has five unique Wonders that confer specific bonuses, such China’s Porcelain Tower (generates extra resources of your choice, including Export), Japan’s Toshogu Shrine (briefly reveals enemies), and India’s Taj Mahal (allows you to invoke a cease-fire). Some military units are available only through a Wonder, such as the Chinese Flying Crow that comes with the Confucian Academy, or the Indian Mansabdars that you can generate at an Agra Fort.

You’ll need every advantage gained from Asian Dynasties’ new features, especially when you engage in one of the new multi-player modes. In a Regicide contest, you must protect your Regent, a powerful unit that can fight when necessary; lose him and you’re out of the game. King of the Hill challenges you to capture and hold a fort for a certain amount of time, at the end of which you’re the winner. Finally, in Treaty mode, no hostilities are allowed for a preset amount of time, during which you can blockade opponents to prevent Home City shipments; a variant doesn’t allow blockades.

Of course, the best way to try out new gameplay modes and nations in Age of Empires III is to pick out a map best suited to the ones that interest you, and Asian Dynasties obliges with 10 new Eastern geographies. For example, vie for control of the lucrative Silk Road trade route, a piece of which is randomly selected each time, so the terrain is always different. Or explore the island of Borneo’s rich interior, where plenty of gold and food await the players who get there first.

As for us, we’re headed to the Himalayas, where we plan on practicing our ability to create choke points that stifle enemy attacks and allow us to take control of vital resources. A few flaming arrow units, along with a contingent of Naginata Riders and Samurai, should do the trick. Try to defeat us if you can.

Sound the Alarms! Japanese forces marshal their defenses.

The Master is Home. Japan establishes the Tokugawa Shogunate.

Growing Quickly. This Indian nation is doing its best to turtle: stay within its borders and build strength before going to war.

Age of Empires III

Learn more about Age of Empires III by reading our previous feature which covers the original version of the game. Command one of eight mighty powers grappling to conquer the New World in this new generation of the landmark series.

 

If you liked this game, check out:

• Age of Empires II: Gold
• Age of Mythology
• Civilization III: Game of the Year Edition
• Civilization IV: Warlords
• Command & Conquer Generals: Zero Hour
• Command & Conquer 3 Tiberium Wars
• Hordes of Orcs
• Imperial Glory
• Legion Arena: Cult of Mithras
• Rise of Nations: Gold Edition
• Star Wars: Empire at War

System Requirements:

• Full version of Age of Empires III required
• Mac OS X version 10.3.9
• 1.2GHz PowerPC G4 or Intel processor (faster processor may be necessary for online multi-player, depending on the number of combatants)
• 512MB of RAM
• 64MB video RAM (Intel GMA graphics supported)
• Broadband Internet access required for online multiplayer