Games like Age of Empires® III (2007): Why Ikariam is worth a look
If you enjoy Age of Empires® III (2007), you might also enjoy Ikariam – a strategy and building game that runs directly in your browser. Both titles appeal to players who enjoy planning, managing resources and building their own power over the long term. Ikariam features an ancient setting and as a browser game is playable immediately without installation.
This page compares both titles fairly and shows what makes Ikariam an interesting alternative – without devaluing Age of Empires® III.
What makes Age of Empires® III (2007) special
Age of Empires® III (2007) is an established title from Ensemble Studios, published by Xbox Game Studios. According to Steam data, the offering includes the following core points:
- Genres: Simulations, Strategy
- Modes: Single-player and multiplayer
- Additional features: Steam trading cards, family library
- Release on Steam: 5 January 2012
- Pricing model: Not free-to-play
- Scope: Three Age of Empires III games in one collection
For many fans, it is a reference in the strategy genre that is installed and played in the classic client format.
What Ikariam offers
Ikariam is an ancient building and strategy game in your browser. The focus is on economic development, research, seafaring and conflicts with other players.
Research as a central element
In the research area Economy, you can research numerous technologies that advance your empire step by step. Examples:
- Preservation (12 research points)
- Prosperity (112 research points)
- Wine Culture (336 research points)
- Architecture (3,672 research points) – enables the construction of architects' offices
- Holiday Recreation (7,200 research points)
- Culinary Specialities (10,764 research points) – allows training cooks in the barracks
- Bureaucracy, Utopia and up to multi-tier "Future of Economy"
Military, seafaring and piracy
Ikariam offers military units such as cooks, which according to the wiki bring fighting spirit and supplies to battle, as well as maritime units such as the Balloon Carrier, a floating fortress with balloons that can attack enemies from the air (requirement: War Shipyard level 7 and Floating Base).
Through the Pirate Fortress, you can launch privateering expeditions. Depending on the upgrade level, duration, crew and range grow. Short expeditions are reportedly particularly effective in terms of yield per time.
Islands and Sea Chart Archive
The Sea Chart Archive reduces values with each level upgrade and saves time – particularly noticeable with many islands (5, 20 or 50). At level 10, for example, the time savings for 50 islands is already around 2 hours 53 minutes.
Where Ikariam differs from Age of Empires® III (2007)
Both games are strategy titles, but differ in platform, game model and setting:
- Platform: Age of Empires® III (2007) runs as a Steam client game, Ikariam directly in your browser – without installation.
- Pricing model: Age of Empires® III (2007) is not free-to-play according to Steam. Ikariam is free to play in the browser.
- Setting: Whilst Age of Empires® III is set thematically in a later era, Ikariam is set in an ancient world with islands, research such as geometry, architecture, bureaucracy and utopia.
- Game rhythm: Ikariam is designed for long-term development through research and construction times – fitting the browser format.
Comparison table
| Feature | Age of Empires® III (2007) | Ikariam |
|---|---|---|
| Platform | Steam client (PC) | Browser |
| Free-to-play | No | Yes, playable immediately |
| Setting | Historical (according to Steam: Simulation/Strategy collection) | Ancient, island world |
| Genre | Simulations, Strategy | Building/strategy game with research, seafaring, piracy |
| Modes | Single-player, Multiplayer | Multiplayer in browser |
FAQ
Is Ikariam free to play?
Yes, Ikariam is free to play in the browser and requires no installation.
What is the focus in Ikariam?
On building, economy and research. There are numerous economy technologies – from preservation through architecture to bureaucracy – and multi-tier endgame research such as "Future of Economy".
Is there military and maritime content?
Yes. For example, you can train cooks as units, use a Balloon Carrier as a floating fortress and launch privateering expeditions via the Pirate Fortress.
What other browser alternatives are there?
Those who prefer a medieval setting can also look at Kingsage as a medieval strategy game in the browser.
Try it now yourself
Age of Empires® III (2007) remains a standalone title with its own profile. However, if you are looking for a strategy alternative that is free in the browser and without installation starts immediately, you can test Ikariam without obligation – and at the same time take a look at Kingsage if a medieval setting seems more appealing.