When comparing Alpha Centauri vs Age of Wonders III, the Slant community recommends Age of Wonders III for most people. In the question“What are the best PC 4X games?” Age of Wonders III is ranked 4th while Alpha Centauri is ranked 13th. The most important reason people chose Age of Wonders III is:
throughout the game players troops are leveling as long as they are being used. This adds to each's pool of abilities. There are also points one can earn in battle that can be used to unlock new abilities. Both of these systems add up to a competent way to always be leveling and give a feeling of advancement in the game.
Specs
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Pros
Pro Gameplay really differs from faction to faction
Pro Great hard sci-fi storyline and setting
Pro Memorable faction leaders and philosophies
Pro Simultaneous multiplayer
When playing against an opponent in the game the players can make moves simultaneously, which means there is no waiting around for each player to take their move, which saves time as well as makes the game more immediate.
Pro Great multiplayer balance (with exceptions)
Most factions can be successfully played in multiplayer and are great on certain maps with certain strategies e.g. Builder (population or money or tech), fast attacker, hybrid, Each is unique and has it's own advantages. Only few are truly useless.
Pro Custom (modular) units
You create units yourself out of parts
Pro Deformable landscape and weather patterns
Pro Worthwhile leveling system
throughout the game players troops are leveling as long as they are being used. This adds to each's pool of abilities. There are also points one can earn in battle that can be used to unlock new abilities. Both of these systems add up to a competent way to always be leveling and give a feeling of advancement in the game.
Pro Intuitive tactical battles
The tactical battles in the game play out in a way that feels different depending on what enemies are being fought , which makes for a good way to differentiate play. The battles also play out in a fast fashion that is easy to understand making for an experience that feels well made due to how the player can pick up the play.
Cons
Con Looks dated
The game was originally released in 1999 and it shows, the graphics are subpar compared to newer games, though the gameplay still holds up.
Con Some areas are too easy
At certain points of the game decision need to be made, which would normally mean something is lost when choosing, but sadly things like buildings are too easy to build meaning there is no loss when choosing what to do, which makes the choices meaningless.