Age of Empires III Collector's Edition

Ensemble Studios built empires, and then they built a collector's edition worthy of one. The Age of Empires III Collector's Edition on PC wraps one of the most ambitious RTS games of its era in a package that goes well beyond the disc.

The crown jewel is "The Art of Empires," a 210-page book that dives deep into the visual development of the game. This isn't a thin pamphlet with a few concept sketches. It's a proper art book, the kind that sits comfortably next to any gaming coffee table collection. Alongside it, you get a making-of DVD with behind-the-scenes video and developer commentary, the full Age of Empires III soundtrack on disc, and a full-sized poster.

For RTS collectors, Ensemble Studios titles carry a weight that only grows heavier now that the studio is gone. This collector's edition represents a team at the peak of their craft, and that 210-page art book is the proof. If you're building a PC strategy collection, this one belongs near the front.