The franchise as a whole is thrust forward in history from Age of Empires II by several hundred years making good use of the new time period. This main change modifies the stock RTS mechanics, introducing some more features akin to Role Playing Games.
Each civilization's Home City has an unique bonus that changes the way each one is played. Several innovations are introduced to the franchise's mainstay pillars, most significantly with the addition of the Home City. Released in 2005, Age of Empires III (AoE3) portrays the European conquest and further colonization of the Americas between 14 CE.
