
''Cossacks 3'' is a
real-time strategy
Real-time strategy (RTS) is a subgenre of strategy video games that do not progress incrementally in turns, but allow all players to play simultaneously, in "real time". By contrast, in turn-based strategy (TBS) games, players take turns to pla ...
video game for
Microsoft Windows by the Ukrainian developer
GSC Game World
GSC Game World is a Ukrainian video game developer based in Prague. Founded in Kyiv in 1995 by Sergiy Grygorovych, it is best known for the '' Cossacks'' and '' S.T.A.L.K.E.R.'' series of games. GSC Game World was the first company in Ukraine t ...
. It is a remake of the 2001 game ''
Cossacks: European Wars'' and is once again set in 17th and 18th century
Europe
Europe is a large peninsula conventionally considered a continent in its own right because of its great physical size and the weight of its history and traditions. Europe is also considered a subcontinent of Eurasia and it is located enti ...
.
The main differences from the old game are the modern 3D graphics capabilities, updated models and textures,
dynamic lighting and full support for
mods.
Gameplay
The original 12 nations make a return, as well as 70 types of unit, 100 technologies, and over 140 historical buildings. The game features support for up to 8 players (1 more than the original) with armies numbering in the thousands. Revamped game mechanics, a vast selection of unit types, ranged and close quarters combat, terrain bonuses, and a realistic ballistics engine provide the player with an unlimited number of tactical opportunities against both human and AI opponents. The game also reintroduces the flexible customization of random maps.
Development and release
Beta testing
Software testing is the act of examining the artifacts and the behavior of the software under test by validation and verification. Software testing can also provide an objective, independent view of the software to allow the business to apprecia ...
began on 22 April 2016, and the game was available worldwide on Microsoft Windows on 20 September 2016. A Linux version was released on 20 June 2017.
The developers have mentioned official modding support and their intention to release the tools used to make the game. They have also stated that they will be working closely with the modding community and aim to add more content to the game after release.
Downloadable content
''Days of Brilliance -'' Released on 13 December 2016, provides a new Polish campaign, new mission, 5 additional historical scenarios, new units for the old nations and two new nations: Denmark and the Netherlands.
''Rise to Glory'' – Released on 16 February 2017, provides second Prussian and Swedish campaigns, new units, snow-covered landscapes, new scenarios, and nations: Bavaria and Saxony.
''Guardians of the Highlands'' – Released on 12 April 2017, it provides the third Scottish campaign, new units, "Personal Assistant" and Scotland for multiplayer game. Add a new soundtrack. Not part of Deluxe Edition.
''Path to Grandeur'' – Published on 16 May 2017, allows to play Turkish and Spanish campaigns, adds sandy landscapes, also add Hungary and Portugal for multiplayer game.
''The Golden Age -'' Released on 24 August 2017. Add a replay of historical battles involving up to 8 players, a Dutch campaign, new single scenarios, a new soundtrack. Also, provide Switzerland and Piedmont for multiplayer game. This DLC was the last of the Deluxe Edition.
Reception
''Cossacks 3'' received "mixed or average" reviews from professional critics according to
review aggregator
A review aggregator is a system that collects reviews of products and services (such as films, books, video games, software, hardware, and cars). This system stores the reviews and uses them for purposes such as supporting a website where users ...
website
Metacritic
Metacritic is a website that aggregates reviews of films, TV shows, music albums, video games and formerly, books. For each product, the scores from each review are averaged (a weighted average). Metacritic was created by Jason Dietz, Marc ...
– the average mark was 63 out of 100 points.
German magazine ''
GameStar
''GameStar'' is a monthly-released PC gaming magazine in Germany. It is the best-selling German-language magazine focused on PC gaming and it also hosts the largest video gaming-related portal in the German-speaking internet.
Content
The pri ...
'' held the same opinion, scoring game at 68 points out of 100. It was said that the new game relies on nostalgia and that the imitation of the first game does not contribute to the development of the game.
References
External links
*
{{GSC Game World
2016 video games
Linux games
Real-time strategy video games
GSC Game World games
Video games developed in Ukraine
Video games set in Europe
Video games with downloadable content
Video games with expansion packs
Windows games
Multiplayer and single-player video games