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. SJ
    Aug 2, 2004
    9
    Brilliant, but not for everyone, it is shall we say an acquired taste.
  2. RedEye
    May 14, 2004
    10
    I really liked it.
  3. 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.
  4. 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
  5. 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...
  6. Alex
    Mar 2, 2003
    10
    Simply the best, you all must be smoking pot!
  7. KupKake
    Mar 6, 2003
    9
    Needs better Documentation. other then that its an awesome game.
  8. 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
  9. 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
  10. 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.
  11. 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.

Awards & Rankings

26
#26 Most Discussed PC Game of 2003

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
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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