Age of Empires III: The War Chiefs Expansion Pack Review

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(More customer reviews)I've been playing this game since it was first released and added the expansion pack as quickly as it came out. I just don't get tired of it. I highly recommend it.
The newest release builds on the past two with all of the fantastic strategy included in the earlier games. The new improvements are vast and I'm sure that other users and reviews will be able to expand on them more directly. However, if you've played AoE games in the past, this one will not disappoint. They've dropped some of the more esoteric and mundane steps (like villagers constantly returning to town center) and have added simplifying features but haven't sacrificed any of the strategy. I think version three finally brings it all together.
There are a few features which are lacking, however, the scenario game play is a little weak in AoE III and I didn't see any addition in the expansion pack. Also, the scenario creator has so much potential for active users to build situations that others might like to play but requires so much time and effort as to be useless.
On the whole, I certainly recommend this game and the expansion pack to anyone who is interested in strategy games.


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MODEL- MS-CD25988WI VENDOR- MICROSOFTFEATURES- Age of Empires III: The Warchiefs Try the new expansion pack for the best-selling real-time strategy title of 2005--Age of Empires III from Ensemble Studios and Microsoft Game Studios.Microsoft Age of Empires III: The WarChiefs--the new expansion pack for Age of Empires III--will engage gamers of all ages and types in epic warfare in the Americas where they will lead the proud native civilizations to expand their empire and fight for control of the Americas.* Playable Native American civilizations Lead one of three proud Native American civilizations. Each civilizationhas its own unique units buildings and a distinct approach to theirHome City feature.* Gripping new single-player campaign Play through 15 new missions with a rich story and a cast of charactersthat interact with real historic figures and events.* Enhancements to European civilizations The expansion pack will also provide exciting additions to existingEuropean civilizations with new Home City content new units and newways to look at your card deck.* Extended gameplay Experience more of everything including new random maps in uniquelocations in the Americas additional native allies and units morestatistics tracking and new ways to play.REQUIREMENTS- 1.4 GHz or faster processor 256 MB of RAM 2 GB of available hard-disk spaceWindows XP

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Command & Conquer 3: Kane's Wrath Review

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(More customer reviews)I generally do not like expansions. They used to be additions only very successful games got to have. Nowadays they are mostly the...other half of the game the publisher withheld when selling us half the original for $50! C&C:KANE's WRATH is a rare exception that brings new dimensions to an already great game!
Story-wise, although an expansion, this is somewhat of a prequel to C&C3-TIBERIUM WARS, as it is set on the history of NOD, starting off just after the 2nd Tiberium War and continuing well past the 3rd.
There is a big campaign comprising of 13 single player missions, new units and upgrades and a new (a la RISE OF NATIONS) Global Conquest mode, that can turn C&C3 into a Turn-Based game! What make this REALLY interesting are the six subfactions, each with its special units, strengths and weaknesses. Not to worry, all GDI, NOD and Scrin get their own off-shooting factions.
On the opposite ends of the spectrum, there is Reaper-17 (a Scrin sub-faction): with hard-hitting and powerful offensive options; and then there is Traveler-59 (also a Scrin offshoot): a much more devious faction that relies on mind control of humans (remember how much fun Yuri's Revenge? was). In between, GDI's (retro) Steel Talons and (futuristic) ZoCom and NOD's (mind-benders) Black Hand and (cyborgs galore) Mark of Kane.
Production of the new epic-units can tip the battlefield scales dramatically. Most are not only devastating but are pretty hard to take down too. GDI gets the MARV [Mammoth Armed Reclamation Vehicle], a souped-up triple-barreled tank; NOD gets the Redeemer, an augmented killer avatar; whereas, Scrin get the Eradicator Hexapod, a impressive six-legged mech.
Revamped units, such as the Shard Walker or the Reaper Tripod, or back-to-the-drawing-board units, such as the Prodigy or the Ravager all add to a renewed experience. Moreover, as a long-time C&C fan, I particularly enjoyed the reappearance of good-ol' units such as Titans and Wolverines on the side of GDI!
The graphics are beautiful, the physics detailed and the explosions and beam-weapons spectacular! Don't forget to turn on the volume on those speakers, because this is a total immersion experience.
As with the original: it misses the 5th star for fun because one cannot hold a battle formation while moving. As most units move at different paces (and although the AI has improved they keep bumping on each other), this results in the more agile, yet vulnerable, units having to face the enemy first - a short-lived sight... May be the next C&C (say, RED ALERT 3) could have some TOTAL WAR infused into it, with battle formations options.
If you are boycotting SecuROM you should know that it is the copy-protection used (nevertheless, it is the usual version used in the original C&C3-TW as well, coming nowhere near the BIOSHOCK RootKit madness!). I usually withhold at least one rating star because of such security inconveniences. However, I enjoyed the game so much that I was willing to overlook it. On the other hand, since it is important for a great number of Amazon customers, I have to mention it for the sake of a well informed decision.
Finally, be advised that this is an expansion and, yes, you do need the original C&C3: TIBERIUM WARS to play it. If you do not have it, take note that there is a pack available, including both original game and expansion (the prices fluctuate so make sure to get the best deal).
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!

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In the name of Kane! The Command & Conquer™ series continues to thrive with Command & Conquer™ 3: Kane's Wrath. As the expansion pack to the critically-acclaimed and fan favorite, Command & Conquer 3 Tiberium Wars™, this Real-time Strategy (RTS) game returns to the Tiberium Universe with Kane at the center of an epic new single player campaign spanning 20 years – from the rebirth of the Brotherhood of Nod after the Second Tiberium War through the dramatic events of the Third Tiberium War and beyond. This story will be told through a new set of high-definition, live action video sequences starring a celebrity cast including Joe Kucan, playing the megalomaniac leader of the Brotherhood of Nod, alongside new talent Natasha Henstridge and Carl Lumbly. With your help, Commander, the Dark Messiah may rise again!

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Zoo Tycoon 2 Extinct Animals Expansion Pack Review

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(More customer reviews)As a huge fan of all things zoo and animal, I took a gamble on this game in hopes of reigniting my childhood passions. I was pleasantly surprised to find Zoo Tycoon 2: Extinct Animals was actually a lot of fun for a kids game. At my age it isn't really a challenge at all, but the fanciful nature of the gaming system and antics of the animals are fun to watch and unfold as you build your dream zoo. I was impressed to notice that both male and female animals have different looks, and some of the dinosaurs even have feathers. Someone was doing their research at Microsoft. I'd definitely recommend this game for younger kids who want to learn more about extinct animals and anyone else who just loves animals.

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MicrosoftZoo Tycoon 2: Extinct XP Win32 English North America CD DVD Box

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Age of Empires III: The Asian Dynasties Expansion Pack Review

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(More customer reviews)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.

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MicrosoftAge of Empires 3 YPack Win32 English North America CD DVD Box

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