Played AOE2, new to AOE3... I have questions/observations

[Dilbert]

So I was playing AOE 3 the first time last night and noticed it's rather cramped. the maps are kind of small when I run a game against AI, even if I choose the large maps. The camera is kind of stuck against the ground and you can't move it too much (you can go up and down but only so far "up." My explorer got killed early on right behind my town center and I could not click on him or anything because he was "behind" the building and I couldn't move enough to see him. I left him there forever and he finally recovered.

Overall it's a very nice game. I have not tried the 2 expansions but it seems a little like things are larger, more zoomed in, and that you can't get a good feel for the map. You also don't get randomly generated terrains like in AOE2. One of my favorite things was to load up the largest map I could with the richest resources and put in just 4 AI partners for a nice long slow game. It seems the maps are very small.

The graphics and even the sound are very impressive and I even heard the report of my cannon laying waste to the enemy across the map when I jumped back to my town to manage things. I have not checked out the 2 expansions yet. I don't know if they already resolve a couple of the things I mention here.

I'm VERY happy this game finally came to Steam, but I have a bit to get used to from AOE2 :)

[MS Ryz0n]

So I was playing AOE 3 the first time last night and noticed it's rather cramped. the maps are kind of small when I run a game against AI, even if I choose the large maps. The camera is kind of stuck against the ground and you can't move it too much (you can go up and down but only so far "up." My explorer got killed early on right behind my town center and I could not click on him or anything because he was "behind" the building and I couldn't move enough to see him. I left him there forever and he finally recovered.

Overall it's a very nice game. I have not tried the 2 expansions but it seems a little like things are larger, more zoomed in, and that you can't get a good feel for the map. You also don't get randomly generated terrains like in AOE2. One of my favorite things was to load up the largest map I could with the richest resources and put in just 4 AI partners for a nice long slow game. It seems the maps are very small.

The graphics and even the sound are very impressive and I even heard the report of my cannon laying waste to the enemy across the map when I jumped back to my town to manage things. I have not checked out the 2 expansions yet. I don't know if they already resolve a couple of the things I mention here.

I'm VERY happy this game finally came to Steam, but I have a bit to get used to from AOE2 :)

The expansions have a treaty game type - which will prevent units from fighting each other for a set duration of time. Say you want to focus on building up your economy for 40 minutes - you can do that!

[Dilbert]

Do you know if there's a way to get those larger maps back? The random land-type generation? I admit I have not been too thorough looking through it yet (I just wanted to jump into some gameplay!)

[Seiska]

Do you know if there's a way to get those larger maps back? The random land-type generation? I admit I have not been too thorough looking through it yet (I just wanted to jump into some gameplay!)

It's very likely that you can trough mods. At least trough quick googling I was able to find one that fits for both larger maps and random maps criteria.

http://ageofempires3.filefront.com/file/Larger_Maps;49788

Haven't tried it or downloaded it but you might find what your looking for there. The site might have some sort of registration needed tough as many of these mod sites have.

[Dilbert]

It's very likely that you can trough mods. At least trough quick googling I was able to find one that fits for both larger maps and random maps criteria.

http://ageofempires3.filefront.com/file/Larger_Maps;49788

Haven't tried it or downloaded it but you might find what your looking for there. The site might have some sort of registration needed tough as many of these mod sites have.

Thanks for the tip. Much obliged!

[luckystalker]

OP you sure you checked in options, there is zoom level option.

I my self like to play the same way like you, me and 3 AIs vs 4 AIs. I don't find the maps small, well they are not as big as AoE 2, but still there is plenty of space and resources. They are so detailed with wildlife and tribes, gorgeous. :)

I like to play the land maps, I find enemy AI not very smart when playing on sea maps. AI focuses too much on ships and just clutter the waters.

[=|Lexx|=]

There are larger versions of maps for every kind of map-type available in the selection. (at least in the asian dynasties add-on)
Alternatively I believe that if You add more players (like AI) the map gets bigger. Worth a try.