Empire Earth vs. Empire Earth 2 & 3: Which is the Best Real-Time Strategy Gem?

Introduction

Real-time strategy (RTS) enthusiasts have long debated the merits of the Empire Earth franchise. With its epic scope, vast civilizations, and innovative gameplay, the series has captivated countless players over the decades. This article will delve into a comprehensive comparison of Empire Earth, Empire Earth 2, and Empire Earth 3, shedding light on their unique strengths, weaknesses, and the factors that separate them.

Gameplay Comparison

1. Campaign Structure:

• Empire Earth: Features a linear campaign with 15 missions, tracing the rise and fall of various civilizations throughout history.
• Empire Earth 2: Introduces a branching campaign with multiple paths, allowing players to shape the narrative and unlock unique rewards. In addition, it offers two separate campaigns centered around the American and Soviet factions.
• Empire Earth 3: Expands the branching campaign system with a focus on non-linear gameplay, offering a plethora of customizable objectives and decision-making choices.

2. Civilization System:

• Empire Earth: Players can choose from a limited number of civilizations, each with its unique units, technologies, and bonuses.
• Empire Earth 2: Adds a more extensive civilization selection, introducing new factions and granting greater diversity to gameplay.
• Empire Earth 3: Expands the civilization system further, allowing players to fully customize their civilizations by selecting specific technologies, bonuses, and even unit skins.

3. Resource Management:

• Empire Earth: Utilizes a traditional resource management system, where players collect wood, food, and metal to support their economies.
• Empire Earth 2: Introduces "trade points" as an additional resource, allowing players to engage in diplomacy and economic warfare.
• Empire Earth 3: Streamlines resource management by reducing the number of resources to wood, food, and gold, while adding new economic mechanics such as "resource wealth" and "taxation."

4. Combat System:

• Empire Earth: Features a straightforward combat system with a focus on ranged and melee units.
• Empire Earth 2: Introduces a more complex combat system with unit formations, siege weapons, and naval warfare.
• Empire Earth 3: Expands the combat system by incorporating cover systems, stealth units, and advanced artillery options.

Graphics and Technology

1. Graphics:

• Empire Earth: Utilizes the Genie Engine, offering impressive graphics for its time, with detailed unit models and beautifully rendered environments.
• Empire Earth 2: Employs the Havok physics engine, resulting in enhanced destructible environments and more realistic animations.
• Empire Earth 3: Features the Chameleon Engine, which boasts greatly improved graphics, enhanced particle effects, and support for higher resolutions.

2. Technology:

• Empire Earth: Supports multiplayer modes for up to 8 players via LAN or direct IP connection.
• Empire Earth 2: Expands multiplayer support to 16 players, adds dedicated server functionality, and introduces the "World Domination" mode.
• Empire Earth 3: Maintains multiplayer support for up to 16 players and features a robust online matchmaking system.

Community and Modding

1. Community Support:

• Empire Earth: Has a dedicated community of fans who continue to create mods, maps, and tournaments.
• Empire Earth 2: Boasts a slightly smaller but equally passionate community, known for developing popular custom campaigns and scenarios.
• Empire Earth 3: Has the smallest community among the three due to its mixed reception upon release; however, a dedicated group of modders still releases occasional updates and improvements.

2. Modding Capabilities:

• Empire Earth: Offers basic modding capabilities using the "Genie Editor."
• Empire Earth 2: Expands modding capabilities with the "Build Engine," providing more advanced tools for creating custom content.
• Empire Earth 3: Introduces the "Astrobe Toolset," which grants players immense modding power, allowing for the creation of entirely new civilizations, campaigns, and gameplay mechanics.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Empire Earth:

• Strengths: Epic campaign, diverse civilizations, classic RTS gameplay
• Weaknesses: Limited technology, dated graphics, lack of multiplayer support

Empire Earth 2:

• Strengths: Branching campaign, expanded civilization system, enhanced combat mechanics
• Weaknesses: Can be repetitive at times, limited naval warfare, performance issues

Empire Earth 3:

• Strengths: Non-linear campaign, customizable civilizations, advanced combat system, robust modding tools
• Weaknesses: Mixed reception upon release, smaller community, performance optimization issues

Conclusion

The Empire Earth franchise has played a pivotal role in shaping the RTS genre. Each installment has brought unique innovations and improvements, catering to the evolving preferences of gamers. Empire Earth remains a classic with its epic scope and historical authenticity. Empire Earth 2 offers a more refined experience with branching campaigns and enhanced combat mechanics. Empire Earth 3 pushes