Ancient Warfare 3
- January 26, 2024
- Jannik Nickel
- 123h median play time
Get on Steam"Ancient Warfare 3" is a sandbox-style action game with customization options and various game modes. Explore content from different eras, from the Stone Age to futuristic sci-fi, with over 3400 units, 1100 objects, and 580 equipment items. Use the in-game editors to create your own scenarios, share your creations, and access a wide range of user-generated content through Steam Workshop integration.
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Reviews
- The game offers extensive customization options for units and maps, allowing players to create unique battles and scenarios.
- The community is active and supportive, with regular updates from the developer that enhance gameplay and add new content.
- It's a fun sandbox experience that combines elements of strategy and creativity, making it enjoyable for players who like to build and experiment.
- The AI can be simplistic and unresponsive, leading to less engaging combat experiences.
- Performance issues can arise, especially with larger battles, causing lag and affecting gameplay.
- The controls and user interface can be clunky, making it difficult for new players to navigate the game effectively.
- gameplay41 mentions
- 37 % positive mentions
- 49 % neutral mentions
- 15 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Ancient Warfare 3 is a mixed bag, with some players praising its extensive modding support, customization options, and sandbox elements that enhance replayability. However, many criticize the game's optimization, clunky mechanics, and lack of depth in combat, leading to a hollow experience. While the vibrant community and creative potential are highlighted, issues like bugs, poor AI, and repetitive gameplay detract from the overall enjoyment.
“Beyond its core gameplay, Ancient Warfare 3 boasts a vibrant modding community that enhances the game's experience.”
“The customizability and variety of units, objects, and terrain makes this game a very fun sandbox experience that could possibly offer endless gameplay.”
“Its massive range of units to choose from, excellent battle mechanics, simple yet fun graphics, and a very large amount of possible structures to use make this game a must for any fan of custom battle simulator games.”
“This on its own wouldn't be a dealbreaker, but then comes the gameplay, which has zero complexity nor satisfaction to it.”
“In terms of performance and gameplay, the game is extremely lacking.”
“Had this in my wishlist for a while, decided to go ahead and get it during the summer sale this year, but was just disappointed by what I just experienced playing just now.... gameplay is very clunky and boring.... lots of small glitches and bugs throughout, AI is trash, battle editor is glitchy as well.”
- graphics23 mentions
- 52 % positive mentions
- 35 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are characterized by a blocky and polygonal aesthetic that some players find charming and enjoyable, contributing to the overall fun of the gameplay. While the visuals may not be cutting-edge, they are complemented by solid performance, allowing for large-scale battles without significant lag. The customization options and modding capabilities enhance the experience, making it appealing for fans of sandbox games, despite some critiques regarding the need for improved character and weapon designs.
“I enjoy the blocky and polygonal aesthetic of the graphics engine, and the dismemberment and destruction within the game overall is pretty cool. The gameplay, paired with the ability to modify in-game units and content, allows for a lot of replayability that can be lacking in some other sandbox titles. Overall, an impressive indie game that I'm glad to have seen released after being a passion project for so long.”
“It's massive range of units to choose from, excellent battle mechanics, simple yet fun graphics, and a very large amount of possible structures to use make this game a must for any fan of custom battle simulator games.”
“On high graphics, it can be really pretty, especially on maps that are more open-world style.”
“We need better characters, weapons, maps, graphics, and gameplay.”
“The gameplay is boring, the graphics are ugly, and the weapon equips are confusing.”
“There are some handy graphics settings that can help somewhat, but the game can definitely run quite slow.”
- optimization16 mentions
- 19 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with some players experiencing significant performance issues and sluggish gameplay, while others note improvements and smoother performance after updates. Many users suggest that further optimization is needed, particularly for those with lower-end PCs, but some have found the game enjoyable despite these challenges. Overall, there is potential for the game to become great with continued quality of life improvements and optimization efforts.
“Update: I noticed a huge improvement in game optimization; in my opinion, now the game's worth the price.”
“Well optimized with fun gameplay that doesn't get old and has consistent updates.”
“All in all, this has the potential to be a great game with enough quality of life improvements and optimization.”
“I used to play it a lot, but now it's horribly optimized, plays poorly, has lame community content, and as far as I know, they got rid of all the fun parts of the game (simple melee mechanics, working ground and air vehicles).”
“In terms of performance and gameplay, the game is extremely lacking.”
“The gameplay is sluggish and awful, as is the performance.”
- story15 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The game's story aspect is largely centered around user-generated content, allowing players to create and customize their own narratives, missions, and battles. While some players appreciate the freedom to design their own experiences, others express disappointment over the lack of a structured campaign or cohesive storyline. Overall, it caters to those who enjoy sandbox-style gameplay and creative storytelling, but may not satisfy those seeking a traditional narrative experience.
“I highly recommend this game to anyone who likes sandboxes, shooters, RTS, and heck, some people have even created long story-driven campaigns that take hours to complete.”
“These days there's even enough opportunity in the game to not have warfare at all; instead, story or linear maps.”
“It's also a great place to expand or design a storyline, or simulate things.”
“This game is terrible because the campaign has no actual levels; I expected them to give us a story campaign, not a campaign made by others. What the actual fuck?”
“These days there's even enough opportunity in the game to not have warfare at all; instead, there are story or linear maps.”
“☑ no story”
- stability13 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's stability has been widely criticized, with users reporting frequent glitches, bugs, and freezing issues during gameplay, particularly when managing larger units or using certain features like the map editor. While some players appreciate the game's potential and unique elements, the overall experience is marred by these technical problems, leading to frustration and disappointment. Many recommend caution before purchasing due to these ongoing stability concerns.
“The game is so-so; building the maps, terrain editing, and custom units are cool, but the game glitches every time I play with over 70 characters. I don't know if it's a glitch for everyone or just me, but I would still recommend it.”
“Great game, I love it, but it freezes at random times while playing, forcing me to restart.”
“There is an immense amount of glitches and bugs, and the building system barely even works.”
- humor8 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by its fun and entertaining battles, with players enjoying the comedic elements of the action and physics. Users appreciate the ability to create custom battles, which adds to the game's charm, making it accessible and enjoyable for all ages. Overall, the game is praised for its lighthearted approach to warfare, combining humor with engaging gameplay.
“This game is really fun and can be funny.”
“I recommend it if you like warfare games; even if you don't like fighting, AI can fight those battles for you in a funny and easy way to set up custom battles.”
“Nice little game that's kind of concealed and not many people know about it. Such fun battles and the physics are funny as well. There are so many props, and this is what's fun about the game. It's not just spawning men and battling; you can make your own battles.”
- replayability4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -25 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
Overall, the game offers significant replayability due to its creative freedom and extensive modification options, appealing to players who enjoy sandbox experiences. However, some users find the AI clunky and the gameplay can become repetitive, which may detract from long-term engagement.
“I like this game for many reasons, one of them being that it inspires creativity and is overall fun to play. With you being able to do whatever you want, it has a lot of replayability.”
“Very replayable, but can get boring due to very clumsy AI.”
“The AI is slow, the weapons are unsatisfying, and for me, it has no replayability.”
“I enjoy the blocky and polygonal aesthetic to the graphics engine, and the dismemberment and destruction within the game overall is pretty cool. However, the gameplay lacks the replayability that can be found in other sandbox titles.”
“While I like this game for many reasons, including its ability to inspire creativity, I feel that it ultimately lacks replayability.”
- music3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The music and sound effects in the game are well-received, contributing positively to the overall experience. Players appreciate the updates that enhance the game, although some express a desire for more music variety. For those nostalgic for the old soundtrack, a recommendation is made to check out "Ancient Warfare 2" on itch.io.
“Love the game! Every update brings new cool things, and I haven't found many bugs. The music really enhances the experience.”
“The sound effects and music are fantastic, adding a lot to the overall atmosphere of the game.”
“If you want to hear the old music, check out 'Ancient Warfare 2' on itch.io; it has the classic tracks.”
“It's not the game settings either; all the sound effects and music are turned on.”
“I love the game; every update brings new cool things. However, I think the music could be improved. It's only $11 right now, and they could easily charge $30 for it.”
“If you want to hear the old music, go to itch.io and get 'Ancient Warfare 2'; it has the old music.”
- grinding2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game tedious and time-consuming, particularly criticizing the map creation process as overly complex and unengaging. While the initial gameplay may be enjoyable, the lack of variety and the repetitive nature of combat lead to a quick decline in interest, with some users feeling that the game requires excessive effort for minimal reward.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“Game is fun for an hour without mods; this is just if Tabs and Ravenfield had a baby and it mutated into a piece of wet tissue that bites you when you touch it. You have to create your own maps that take at least an hour, and then when you finally play, it is broken and boring. So you decide to go to the workshop, but alas, that only lasts a bit because all you do is shoot and stab random people. This would be fun if they just improved the map editor to be less tedious. Give me my money back, you scam artist.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -300 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in the game is highly immersive and diverse, featuring fully-functional casinos, zero-gravity combat, and dynamic airship battles, alongside meticulously crafted environments like a WW1 hilltop and a detailed trauma team simulator. Players appreciate the variety and depth of experiences that contribute to a rich and engaging gameplay atmosphere.
“People have created fully working casinos, zero-gravity combat, airships boarding each other with glider troops, a WW1 hilltop battle with impeccable atmosphere, arcade-style maps, and a trauma team simulator complete with a detailed limb-to-limb health system.”
“The atmosphere feels lifeless and uninspired, lacking the depth and immersion that I expected.”
“Despite the impressive mechanics, the overall atmosphere is flat and fails to engage the player.”
“The environments are bland and repetitive, making it hard to feel any connection to the game world.”
