Age of Empires III for Mac

Age of Empires III for Mac is a real-time strategy game developed by Ensemble Studios and published by Microsoft Game Studios. It is the third main title in the Age of Empires series and was released in 2005.

Immediately after release, this game received praise for streamlined RTS gameplay in a 3D environment, a large number of playable civilizations, and streamlined multiplayer mode.

All of this made it the best-selling game of 2005, and a notable seller in the following years. A modern remaster of this title under the name “Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition” was released in late 2020.

The game is set in the late Middle Ages and early Renaissance, and players take on the role of a leader of a civilization, guiding it through the ages from the discovery of America to the colonization of the New World.

The game features a single-player campaign, multiplayer mode, and a skirmish mode where players can play against each other or against the computer.

Key Features

• Popular RTS now on Mac – Become immersed into one of the most popular RTS titles ever released.
• Large Single-Player Campaign – Relive the historical events of the medieval past, the discovery of the Americas, and the colonization of the New World.
• Customizable Multiplayer Mode – Play against friends and the online community, with support for both online and local matches.
• Versatile Skirmish Mode – Challenge computer-controlled opponents in a local multiplayer match.
• Civilizations Under Your Command – The game features 14 civilizations, each with its unique units, buildings, and technologies.
• Master all Tactics – Become a true leader who must lead civilizations both in peace and wartime.
• Upgrade and Conquer – Collect resources, manage cities, control units, and build versatile armies.

Installation and Setup

To install this game on modern Mac computers that are powered by M-series processors, players need to invest a little time in creating a fully working Windows virtual machine.

This procedure is quite easy with the help of the Parallels Desktop app (just make sure to enable “Game Profile” for best game rendering performance). Once this VM is fully operational, users are free to purchase the game on the distribution platform Steam, download it, and play it.

Parallels Desktop and this video game are verified to run great on M1, M2, or M3 chip Mac. Older Mac configurations with Intel processors can get even better performance when natively running X86 gaming apps.

How to Play

Once inside this popular Real Time Strategy game, players can start by selecting game mode, either single-player campaign, multiplayer mode, or skirmish mode.

In the game, players can gather resources, build buildings, train units, and research technologies to improve their civilization's abilities. They can also explore the map, discover new resources and territories, and collect treasures.

Players can expect many features of the previous two versions of this popular series to return, including great storytelling during the central campaign which covers the period 1492 and 1876 AD and the colonization exploits of America by Europeans.

User Interface

The game's user interface is designed to be easy to use, with a clear and intuitive layout.

All players of the previous Age of Empire games will have no issues adapting to the new 3D presentation of this game, which again features a top-down camera and streamlined UI for monitoring the current resources and the military status of the game.

Due to the frenetic nature of large battles and the need to navigate large settlements and maps, users must always keep note of the in-game radar that showcases notable events and the presence of friendly/enemy forces.

FAQ

What is Age of Empires III?
It is a popular real-time strategy game where players take on the role of a leader of a civilization. This third game in a series is focused on the European colonization of the Americas.

Is it safe?
Yes, the game is safe to play.

Alternatives

Total War: ROME – A groundbreaking strategy game that combines turn-based empire management with real-time tactical battles, set in the ancient Roman era, where players can lead factions to glory. – A previous title in the Age of Empires series, set in the Middle Ages.

Starcraft II – A popular real-time strategy game set in a science fiction future, developed by Blizzard Entertainment.

Pricing

The original retail version of this game from 2005 is no longer offered for sale.

Modern remaster “Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition” can be purchased from the Windows game store Steam, and played on Mac inside Windows OS Virtual Machine.

System Requirements

This retro RTS game does not require strong hardware and therefore can be run on all modern M-series Macs, providing it is run from inside Windows OS Virtual Machine.

One of the apps that can facilitate access to such VMs on the Mac platform is Parallel Desktops.

PROS

• Retro RTS hit now on Mac!
• Engaging gameplay.
• Realistic depiction of colonization-era civilizations.
• Versatile multiplayer and skirmish modes.
• Engaging visuals and ability to showcase large armies.

CONS

• Not natively ported to Mac.
• Accessible only from inside Windows OS VM.

Conclusion

Age of Empires III for Mac is a classic real-time strategy game that offers engaging gameplay, a rich depiction of colonization-era civilizations, and a wide range of multiplayer and skirmish modes.

Its versatile game modes and well-balanced gameplay made it one of the best-selling RTS games of the mid-2000s, ensuring that it remains popular even now, two decades later.

Also Available: Download Age of Empires III for Windows