Last year Ensemble Studios released its latest entry into the Age of Empires series. Many people didn’t like the idea of a Home City as well as other things the developers put in, but I loved it. I never had so much fun playing this game with my friends or online. I really liked all of the innovations that this game had, and how well it looked in comparison to other games in the same genre; the physics engine alone was worth its weight in gold. Just like all other great real-time strategy games, this game is getting an expansion entitled Age of Empires III: The WarChiefs.

In Age of Empires III, players got to take command of various European nations as they try to take over “The New World.” This expansion will let you take command of three completely different Native American civilizations and the stories that follow along with them. Each nation provides its own unique units and powerful “WarChief” units that will do great damage to their enemies. The three new nations available to play with are the Iroquois Confederacy, Sioux Nation, and Aztec Empire.

The campaign mode in this game takes place shortly after the original game left off. The nice thing about it is it continues to tell the story of the family from the first game as they go through history. The game is still based off historical figures.

Since this is an expansion, you already know how this game plays, the most important thing that you will want to know is what new additions have been made. Well, you will be happy with what the developers put in because it really complements the rest of this game. All of the Native American civilizations have what is called a Fire Pit, and you must put various settlers on it and they will start dancing, and this will give you various upgrades depending on which dance you tell them to do. One dance will grant you medicine men, another will give you better attack points, higher production, and so on.

Not leaving the European nations out in the cold, the latest addition is that instead of going into the Imperial Age, the game gives you the option to perform a Revolution. When you select this option, all of your settlers are instantly turned into Militia and you can train additional Militia. The drawback to this is that you can’t create any more settlers, so if you want to do this, you better have a huge resource pot left. Also if you select this option, your Home City will now send you Militia, Guns, Ships, and other things to help you win whatever war you are in. This is a great option if you want to win a game, and this option might give you the edge to do this.

The graphics for this Age of Empires III: The WarChiefs is just as good as the original game, which is saying something. When Age of Empires III came out last year it had some of the best graphics for an RTS title. Since last year, there have been a few games released that have surpassed this mark, but still this is one of the better looking games you can get. The environments that you will go through feel really alive. The thing makes the game all that much better is the physics engine that the developers used.

If you have cannons and you start shooting at buildings they will start to crumble and debris will start falling off. If you are aiming at infantry and you are shooting them the men will go flying and the cannon ball will start to roll down, it if is on a hill. It is this attention to detail that I really enjoyed in the game.

Just like all of Ensemble Studios game, the sound and music are top notch. The music will guide you through the game and it really picks up if you are about to attack someone or if you are getting ambushed in your city. It helps give a sense of urgency and helps you go on in order to defeat whatever obstacle you are facing. The sound effects are also really good from the cannon fire, building crumbling, and anything else you hear in the game. Last but not least is the voiceovers, which are really good as well and fit with this game entirely.

Age of Empires III: The WarChiefs is rated T for Teen.

Gameplay: 9.3
If you have ever played any of Ensemble Studio’s RTS games then you will know exactly what to expect from them. What I really enjoyed is all of the unique attributes that each of the nations have and as always the Home City.

Graphics: 9.4
Since Age of Empires III: The WarChiefs is using the same graphics engine from the he original game, you can bet that this game looks great. I still love watching the physics engine at work, especially when cannon fire in involved.

Sound: 9.3
The music is really a great part of this game that motivates you to continue on, especially when you are getting down to the wire with your resources and army. The voiceovers are also really well done.

Difficulty: Medium
Your skill level will define how hard this game will be for you.

Concept: 9.5
The new additions to this game are really done well, such as the new fire pit. The developers did a great job with the new features as well as further balancing the European nations.

Multiplayer: 9.5
Ensemble Studios created its own matchmaking service with their last game called Ensemble Studios Online or ESO, and it puts other matchmaking services to shame. I have encountered little or no lag in any games I have played in.

Overall: 9.5
Age of Empires III: The WarChiefs is a must-have expansion pack for any gamer who owns the original game. There are a lot of new additions to this game that will keep you coming back for more for hours on end.