The Settlers III

The Settlers III is the third chapter of the famous real-time/city-building strategy game by Blue Byte. It was released in 1998 for Windows.

This third chapter stands as one of the most refined and beloved entries in the long-running German strategy series. The game was designed by Volker Wertich, the original creator of the franchise, who had already made a name for himself in the 1980s with the puzzle game Emerald Mine for Amiga. When he created The Settlers, Wertich set out to design a strategy game that emphasized logistics, supply chains, and economic simulation over direct combat, something that set it apart from other real-time strategy titles of the time.

After the critical and commercial success of the first The Settlers in 1993, Wertich chose not to work on The Settlers II, which came out in 1996. He later explained that he felt the sequel did not innovate enough and remained too similar to the original. Instead, he returned for The Settlers III with a clear vision: to reinvent the series with deeper mechanics, a better interface, and a fresh take on its unique blend of simulation and strategy.

At its core, the gameplay of The Settlers III remains faithful to the original idea. Players start with a handful of settlers and must build a thriving settlement by collecting resources, constructing buildings, and managing the flow of goods and materials. Unlike traditional RTS games, economic planning is the real challenge. Every unit of iron, every loaf of bread, and every tool must be produced, transported, and consumed within an interconnected system of production chains.

However, The Settlers III introduces several major improvements. Roads are no longer mandatory, giving players more freedom in building layouts. The graphical engine is entirely new, featuring a colorful and highly detailed isometric view. One of the key innovations is the addition of gods and divine powers: each civilization can build temples and use faith to invoke miracles that influence the battlefield or economy. Military units now consume food and require weapons crafted by blacksmiths, making military strength directly dependent on the player’s economy.

The game includes three main campaigns, each focused on a distinct civilization: Romans, Egyptians, and Asians (drawing from Japanese and Chinese cultural elements). Each campaign features a different setting, architecture, and divine abilities. The missions are connected by a humorous storyline involving the gods of each civilization, who are frustrated with their followers and decide to intervene directly to prove which race is the most worthy. The campaigns offer a rich variety of objectives, balancing economy-building, exploration, and warfare.

The Settlers III was well received by critics, with praise aimed at its deep gameplay, intuitive controls, and charming graphics. The redesigned user interface was widely considered a major improvement over previous titles. Commercially, it was a strong success, especially in Germany and across Europe, where the series had an especially devoted fanbase. The game’s multiplayer mode, supporting LAN and online play, was also well implemented and helped sustain its popularity.

With The Settlers III, Volker Wertich returned to the franchise with a clear purpose: to refine and elevate the unique formula he had created years earlier. The result was a game that preserved the identity of the series while introducing new mechanics and visual flair. It is still considered by many fans to be the pinnacle of the series.