Master of Orion 3

 PC
User Score
4.2

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 79 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 79
  2. Mixed: 15 out of 79
  3. Negative: 45 out of 79
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  1. Boltfrowah
    Feb 28, 2013
    0
    This game was complete crap. The colony control was waaaaay too much work to make the game fun, the combat was crappy, and the planet invasion engine was boring as hell. The few times I played through this, I eventually let the game run the actual colonies because there was just too much crap to do with each one. Seriously, do I need to pick the type of shoes those colonists are wearing?This game was complete crap. The colony control was waaaaay too much work to make the game fun, the combat was crappy, and the planet invasion engine was boring as hell. The few times I played through this, I eventually let the game run the actual colonies because there was just too much crap to do with each one. Seriously, do I need to pick the type of shoes those colonists are wearing? Bring back the MOO 2 design, and build off that!… Expand
  2. Jaykzula
    May 22, 2013
    0
    Its almost like the developer said, "Master of Orion 2 was a really sweet game! Maybe we should take out everything that made it fun and see if anyone notices." We noticed... this is a poop game.
  3. Rox22
    Apr 19, 2013
    1
    Considering how good Master of Orion 2 was, I was giddy when I heard about this game. Then I got it.

    W! T! F! is this? It took the micro management aspect from MOO2, and pretty much made that the core mechanic. This game feels more like a job than a game. I half expected to get a pay check for playing this. But, frustration aside, some of the visuals are decent and I do get what    Considering how good Master of Orion 2 was, I was giddy when I heard about this game. Then I got it.

    W! T! F! is this?

    It took the micro management aspect from MOO2, and pretty much made that the core mechanic. This game feels more like a job than a game. I half expected to get a pay check for playing this.

    But, frustration aside, some of the visuals are decent and I do get what they were trying to do with this game. Problem is, what they were trying to do is not fun. I would imagine the only people who liked this are mindless workaholics that love needlessly complicated work systems.

    Overall:
    Not only was this game a massive disappointment to me, but I also found no way to enjoy it at all. Even looking at it on its own, this game is basically "Intergalactic paperwork The Video Game!"    … Expand
  4. m0skit0
    Sep 16, 2013
    3
    Horrible. Probably due to the fact that trying to make a sequel of THE BEST 4X space game ever (Master of Orion 2 ofc) is not something easy, but they totally missed it. Everything (and I mean everything) in this 3rd installement is worse than the previous one: interface, ship building, gameplay, diplomacy... If you're looking for a recent MOO2 clone, get StarDrive, it is much better thanHorrible. Probably due to the fact that trying to make a sequel of THE BEST 4X space game ever (Master of Orion 2 ofc) is not something easy, but they totally missed it. Everything (and I mean everything) in this 3rd installement is worse than the previous one: interface, ship building, gameplay, diplomacy... If you're looking for a recent MOO2 clone, get StarDrive, it is much better than this crap.… Expand
  5. okamimiyazaki
    Jul 5, 2011
    1
    The most disappointing game ever. MOO and MOOII were amazing (best strategy games ever!) but this thing was just... annoying. It's overly complicated, full of bugs and just NOT FUN.
  6. JasonL.
    May 6, 2003
    1
    Waste of 45 dollars. worst game of the year. Trust me.
  7. SJ
    Aug 2, 2004
    9
    Brilliant, but not for everyone, it is shall we say an acquired taste.
  8. EricJ.
    Mar 1, 2003
    3
    It pretends to have depth by being very complicated but in the end it's just needlessly complicated with a terrible AI and poor experience.
  9. JonB.
    Mar 5, 2003
    4
    I'm gradually getting used to it, but I don't think I should have to. The ship combat makes me want to cry. Everything seems so complicated. I'm really dissapointed. :-(
  10. ScottL.
    Apr 8, 2003
    3
    They tried to take out all the micromanagement in Moo3 to mke it a better multiplayer experience. They also took out the feeling thsat your actually involved in doing anything. Ship to Ship combat, although as uninteresting as anything in teh game at least tried to be realistic and in truth wasn't all that bad but very little else in the game is worthwhile. Can anyone just take the They tried to take out all the micromanagement in Moo3 to mke it a better multiplayer experience. They also took out the feeling thsat your actually involved in doing anything. Ship to Ship combat, although as uninteresting as anything in teh game at least tried to be realistic and in truth wasn't all that bad but very little else in the game is worthwhile. Can anyone just take the combat from Moo3 Not the ground combat which was festooned with useless options) and update Moo2 with it.… Expand
  11. TredK.
    May 8, 2003
    0
    This game doesn't even deserve a 1. I never played any other MOO games, but I was at least hoping this one would be as fun if not funner than Space Empires III. Instead I'm thinking about using the 2 discs as target practice. Why doesn't it just let me send all my ships in one big fleet? I have to organize them into prearranged formations.......AHAH. ANd when my invasion This game doesn't even deserve a 1. I never played any other MOO games, but I was at least hoping this one would be as fun if not funner than Space Empires III. Instead I'm thinking about using the 2 discs as target practice. Why doesn't it just let me send all my ships in one big fleet? I have to organize them into prearranged formations.......AHAH. ANd when my invasion force does attack a planet, if it actually attacks the right planet, than ALLL OF MY ships VANISH!!! How the hell do you invade anyone when your ships vanish and you have to build more. I like how ground combat doesn't end in one turn, but its boring...YOu don't even get to see formations marching around, just puffs of smoke around a planet. And what do Nukes and chemical warfare even do in the game? Just another button to click. … Expand
  12. Erelyes
    Jan 6, 2012
    0
    The most abysmal game I have ever had the misfortune of playing. Worst game of the decade. It is almost as if it had been deliberately designed to be confusing, frustrating, and bland. Trust me: Don't even play it if it's released for free.
  13. ChoicestGames
    Dec 12, 2012
    6
    The designers of MOO3 had good intentions and were aiming at making a grand strategy game - getting rid of the micro-management inherent in its predecessor MOO2. Unfortunately, they went too far and you'll spend most of your time moving slider bars but not really knowing if you're making any impact on the universe or not - which means you feel less of a megalomaniac and more like a seniorThe designers of MOO3 had good intentions and were aiming at making a grand strategy game - getting rid of the micro-management inherent in its predecessor MOO2. Unfortunately, they went too far and you'll spend most of your time moving slider bars but not really knowing if you're making any impact on the universe or not - which means you feel less of a megalomaniac and more like a senior public servant.… Expand
  14. Jim
    Sep 27, 2003
    6
    Wow, I member when AI was supposed to be your enemy not helping you out with every single action! with the AI who needs me to play at all, ill just watch. NEEDS MORE HUMAN CONTROL!!! moo2 the best so far. good concept though, I think the storyline is more interesting than the game-(unless the computer wants to read it to me)
  15. RedEye
    May 14, 2004
    10
    I really liked it.
  16. BryanW.
    Nov 11, 2004
    10
    This(with the newest patch) is quite possibly the funnest game i have ever played. The patch made the AI challenging which is good, since before the AI would often just declare war for no reason. Without the patch the game is horrible due to faulty AI. Its all in the AI.
  17. kingj0n
    May 23, 2015
    10
    I've played every MoO to date. I've started sneaking on my dad's PC when I was a child just to play MoO. Then played MoO II. I loved those games.

    Once I heard MoO III was coming out, I bought it once it went on the shelves. Right out of the box, I was able to play just fine. As with many "complicated" games, I just start the game and try to learn as I go. I've learned all there was    I've played every MoO to date. I've started sneaking on my dad's PC when I was a child just to play MoO. Then played MoO II. I loved those games.

    Once I heard MoO III was coming out, I bought it once it went on the shelves.
    Right out of the box, I was able to play just fine.
    As with many "complicated" games, I just start the game and try to learn as I go.

    I've learned all there was needed to know as I played. Then the game became very enjoyable for me. I read that many people thought it was so overly complicating and gave this game a poor review.

    The thing is, you can let the AI do it, or you do it. People complain that the AI does it all. THing is, you can do it yourself. But now, it's sooo overly complicated to those people. For me, it was not that complicated. It was easy to manage and didn't take much time. You do not need to stay on your planet for hours. Just play the game....

    The game is very similar to MoO II. If you loved MoO II, you should love this. However, if you're slow, you might not enjoy it and join the bandwagon as the rest of the people.

    It doesn't take much to know what to do and be efficient with it.
    The combat is fun, the ship building is fun. The UI isn't bad and the graphics are okay for this kind of game.

    There's no other game like it. Many 4x space games don't even allow you to space battle. Which is very off putting. Other 4x games are extremely boring and too easy. Like all Civ games.

    I really wish there was an updated MoO game. But, the only thing similar is Star Drive II.
    But that game isn't as good as any MoO game.

    I give each MoO game a 10. Nothing compares to any of them.    … Expand
  18. BennettM.
    Apr 8, 2003
    7
    A must-have for hard-core strategists. Intriuging and visually stunning, this is a great game. However, the AI seems to have slight problems. Most complaints about this game are based in reality, but WAY exagerrated. If it was really so bad it wouldn't have gotten so many great reviews. If strategy games are not your thing though you'll hate it.
  19. Vince
    Mar 2, 2003
    3
    This game is very interesting, but far too complicated. The difficulty level is too hard.
  20. AlexL.
    Mar 7, 2003
    4
    I agree with the pax imperia concept. I thought this game would be a beefed up version but it wasn't. It's more complicated but yet slower to play. Building ships is a task too. You have to go to the individual planet menus. Pax may not have as much species customization, but at least you don't have to deal with the B.S. and you can just build ships from the fleet menu, I agree with the pax imperia concept. I thought this game would be a beefed up version but it wasn't. It's more complicated but yet slower to play. Building ships is a task too. You have to go to the individual planet menus. Pax may not have as much species customization, but at least you don't have to deal with the B.S. and you can just build ships from the fleet menu, unlike MOO3. I think I might stick with pax imperia. unless I can find someway to make the game more entertaining. … Expand
  21. NikolaN.
    Apr 13, 2004
    8
    After one year, I can say that this game is more complex that it looks at first glance. If you choose right difficulty level and BIG system, you will see that AI is not that bad as it seems, and automatic micromanagment is real helper after some 200 turns...
  22. JeffV.
    Dec 30, 2003
    5
    Could have been great, but too many problems. The manual is thick but doesn't have all of the important information and lacks an index; some irritating bugs still haven't been patched; logical problems with gameplay (like, it might take a colony ship 30 turns to reach a planet to colonize, but people can start migrating and will arrive the very next turn).
  23. DougC.
    Mar 1, 2003
    4
    Two words: lame crap. If I had known how awful this game was, I wouldn't have shelled out the 50 bucks for it. I would much rather have picked up a graphically enhanced version of MOO2 than this horrid game. My friends and I are thinking of packing up our copies and receipts and sending them to infogrames with demands for our money back. If you wanted to buy this game, save your Two words: lame crap. If I had known how awful this game was, I wouldn't have shelled out the 50 bucks for it. I would much rather have picked up a graphically enhanced version of MOO2 than this horrid game. My friends and I are thinking of packing up our copies and receipts and sending them to infogrames with demands for our money back. If you wanted to buy this game, save your money and play MOO2 instead.… Expand
  24. Ender
    Mar 16, 2003
    0
    I dunno... maybe i missed something. i thought i was gonna be playing a high tech game. Was expecting some decent graphics. (Mind you, i've never played any other MOO games) what i was faced with was menus... menus menus menus... there was absolutely NO motion whatsoever. Their idea of graphics is a totally low budget screen that looks like something from the pre-commodore 64 era.
  25. Alex
    Mar 2, 2003
    10
    Simply the best, you all must be smoking pot!
  26. Jok`RdeMo
    Mar 3, 2003
    2
    Well actually I started with MOO3 to play MOOx, Well and I guess it will be my last. I wanted to learn how to play but there is no tutorial and help is SOOO much txt. Actually I think I will not play it second time... I better play PAX EMPIRE - game is older for 5 years but gameplay is... better.
  27. DavidR.
    Mar 4, 2003
    1
    This games SUCKS! I just spent $40 bucks and damn if I know how I'm gonna get it back. What a big waste of my time. I should have dished out the money for Atari classics, I would've had more fun!
  28. Ian
    Mar 5, 2003
    1
    This is the first game I have ever actually returned, and I am a huge fan of TBS games and the Master of Orion series. The game is simply broken. The enemy AI can't attack you so it's basically impossible to lose, diplomacy is so buggy that it's essentially non-functional, the interface is retched, the documentation is inexcusably bad, the resolution can't be changed This is the first game I have ever actually returned, and I am a huge fan of TBS games and the Master of Orion series. The game is simply broken. The enemy AI can't attack you so it's basically impossible to lose, diplomacy is so buggy that it's essentially non-functional, the interface is retched, the documentation is inexcusably bad, the resolution can't be changed from 600x800, it's full of all sorts of minor and major bugs...there's just no reason to buy it. It's like the game isn't even finished. Maybe they should have used more than 20 beta-testers. You might want to pick it up from the bargain bin after a few patched have been released.… Expand
  29. KupKake
    Mar 6, 2003
    9
    Needs better Documentation. other then that its an awesome game.
  30. CO
    Mar 9, 2003
    9
    It is weird it is complex but it is definitely fun. There is not so many bugs but the AI is really bad. At first it is very hard to play but when you know it you go very quickly. In fact you can leave what you don't like in this kind of game and just focus on what you like fight, developpement, exploration ... The AI can handle the developpment of your planet, it's too bad it It is weird it is complex but it is definitely fun. There is not so many bugs but the AI is really bad. At first it is very hard to play but when you know it you go very quickly. In fact you can leave what you don't like in this kind of game and just focus on what you like fight, developpement, exploration ... The AI can handle the developpment of your planet, it's too bad it does not handle well the combat but nothing a good patch can't change. Visit the infogram forum too you will learn a lot Try it, play and enjoy it is definitely a good game.… Expand
  31. MartinJ.
    Jun 23, 2003
    3
    MOO 2 is a better game. AI in 3 relieves the player of any real competition the manual is useless and the graphics are lame by todays standards. They have taken a good game and made it worse.
  32. DinuF.
    Jun 9, 2003
    3
    After giving moo3 a try i continue playing moo2. .. even after the moo3 patch and even after having used different mods on moo3. it simply doesnt cuts it. besides that the moo3 STORY is horrible. whoever wrote it seems to only know the sentence "history repeats itself" and thus besides logical blackholes it leaves you with a big anitpathy towards every orion-race of space time 18000+
  33. LorenzoG.
    Jun 1, 2004
    2
    This "game" is a great crap. MOO 1 is much better than this. What a pity of 20?
  34. ChristopherP.
    Feb 16, 2007
    5
    What a complete waste of potential. What is good in this game--fun amount of complexity, detailed research tree, 16 races--is nearly completely ruined by problems that can't be ignored. Firstly, the 16 races are a joke, because the stats are not balanced at all. If you add up the stat points for each race, they're not balanced, sometimes to the point of extreme; for example, the What a complete waste of potential. What is good in this game--fun amount of complexity, detailed research tree, 16 races--is nearly completely ruined by problems that can't be ignored. Firstly, the 16 races are a joke, because the stats are not balanced at all. If you add up the stat points for each race, they're not balanced, sometimes to the point of extreme; for example, the Humans and Evons. The Evons are a humanoid race with stats that are vastly better than Humans, so the right way to go would be to customize the Evons, since customizing the Humans would be pointless. It gets worse: The enemy AI in this game is bad, really bad. Even after the newest patch, the AIs will completely randomly declare war on you without any provocation, even if you've boosted your diplomacy stat. The AI also very rarely makes an attack on you even if they do declare war, even on the higher difficulties. I also don't like at all that you have to redesign ships from scrap all manually with every military research you make. Ground combat is sort of cool, with more complexity and vast array of options such as allowing nuclear and chemical warfare, different tactics to make, etc (all of which is actually completely meaningless, because the manual nor the master's notes explains anything about the options you can take). The options "land troops" and "land all troops" when invading a planet make no sense. Even if you click "land troops," a few will invade, but the others just go into your reserves, so you have to make new transports. The emphasis on macromanaging could have been a good idea, and development plans are your friend, so the planetary AI isn't completely braindead. The game shows hints of genius with the vast complexity and emphasis on macromanaging that could work if not for the crippling problems it has.… Expand
  35. Taamati
    May 19, 2003
    7
    The game is good if you can spend the time building development plans for your planets and go through the Encyclopedia when neccesary. Though the game would be alot better if you could refit/upgrade your ships. Also for once I would like to see a game where the ships and planet etc are in scale other than that it's a good play.
  36. Elf
    Jun 27, 2004
    0
    I liked Moo2 very much, i'm still playing it much. But Moo3 looks like Imperialims-type games to me :[[[[ Pity.
  37. RyanS.
    Sep 25, 2006
    2
    Just not fun. The interface is unimaginably complex, and while you start off fairly well, understanding most of it, you'll soon be utterly lost, trying to remember to give a hundred different commands before you hit the next turn button. And the manual is glaringly flawed.
  38. Rebun
    Mar 31, 2011
    9
    When i bought this game so many years ago, i was suprised that i could barely find anything about the game over the internet, it was like a ghost game, which must have had some credibility since it was no/3 of the series. Nevertheless, i learned how to play the game myself and grew to love the dynamics, the expanse of the galaxy and the general feel of being a dictator in a galaxy. It wasWhen i bought this game so many years ago, i was suprised that i could barely find anything about the game over the internet, it was like a ghost game, which must have had some credibility since it was no/3 of the series. Nevertheless, i learned how to play the game myself and grew to love the dynamics, the expanse of the galaxy and the general feel of being a dictator in a galaxy. It was the first TBS Space 4x game i ever played, and for me personally - nothing can ever come close. I realised the hatred, frustration and pure denial of this games existence by MoO fans (1 & 2), and after playing those two myself i can see why it was so terrible compared to the originals. But for me, MoO3 has always been a constant. Im just glad i never played the first two before i played the 3rd, otherwise i would have probably sided with the general consensus of this game.… Expand
  39. YeshuaAgapao
    Nov 2, 2011
    8
    Love the details, depth, and realistic astronomy (the only game to have realistic astronomy). The AI really sucks though, forcing you to micromanage. Gets boring fast once you're over 10 star systems. No eyecandy and earcandy in the battles. Like the alien races. Tech tree is very good.
  40. Bobbo
    Jun 21, 2012
    1
    I'd give the game a 7, not as good as MOO2. As soon as my video card got a new driver 2 months after buying it I could no longer play it. "Direct X Surface Unavailable." So this review gets a 1 for not being supported and updated less than 3 months after purchase.
  41. Adanu
    Feb 27, 2014
    9
    just 4 at start it was unplayable, but now 9 with patch/modes. Good game but on real time battle suxx. I spending many time playing it, in not so good like 2-nd part, but newer.
  42. Emphatic
    Mar 27, 2016
    0
    This game does the franchise a disservice, even after an attempt to fix the glaring issues, this title ends up as little more than a complete disappointment and not a game deserving of the title Master of Orion.
  43. mrcorvon
    Jul 11, 2019
    1
    Have you ever been stuck doing a horrible, boring, thankless office job that you really didn't like? Like, the kind of job that causes an existential crisis every time you think about how much time you've wasted signing endless paperwork and getting useless updates about projects you don't care about?

    Yeah, that's MoO3. A fake office job you don't even get paid for.

Awards & Rankings

26
#26 Most Discussed PC Game of 2003

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
64

Mixed or average reviews - based on 24 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 24
  3. Negative: 4 out of 24
  1. G4 TV
    20
    MOO3 collapses under the weight of its own ambitious design. We doubt this can be fixed in a patch. Gamers need not apply. Masochists, you're on your own.
    Read full review
  2. Game Informer
    80
    Sure, the gameplay is incredibly deep, but I wanted more emphasis on the military aspects of the game. [Apr 2003, p.95]
  3. Eurogamer
    30
    If only your enemies displayed the same kind of intelligence, the game might be a lot more interesting - but in fact, the enemy AI in MOO3 is terrible, far worse than in the previous game in the series.
    Read full review
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