Age of Empires II (Retired)

95%
Game Brain Score Based on 44,041 reviews
  • graphics
  • gameplay
  • story
Age of Empires II (Retired) Game Cover
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Age of Empires II is a real-time strategy game that invites players to lead a medieval civilization to glory. Choose from numerous civilizations, gather resources, build your empire, and engage in epic battles against AI or human opponents. This definitive edition brings improved visuals, new campaigns, and additional features to a classic strategy experience.

  • PC
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Cloud
  • NVIDIA GeForce NOW
  • Xbox
  • Xbox Game Pass
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Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

95%
Audience ScoreBased on 44,041 reviews
graphics634 positive mentions
stability239 negative mentions
  • graphics2,497 mentions

    The graphics of "Age of Empires II HD" have received mixed feedback from users. While many appreciate the nostalgic charm and slight improvements in resolution and texture quality, others feel that the updates are minimal and do not significantly enhance the original game's visuals. Overall, the game retains its classic aesthetic, with some users recommending graphical mods from the Steam Workshop to further enhance the experience.

    • “The definitive edition brings Age of Empires II’s graphics up to modern standards while maintaining the charm of the original.”
    • “The game enhances the classic AOE experience with stunning 4K graphics, improved gameplay mechanics, and a wide range of civilizations to command.”
    • “The graphical update enhances the overall experience without losing the essence of the game’s iconic art style.”
    • “The graphics are very poor, the game just supports larger resolutions.”
    • “The graphics are outdated and unappealing, the AI is terrible and the gameplay is slow and dull.”
    • “The 'hd' label is misleading; it's not a graphical update of aoeii, but rather a version which simply supports widescreen resolutions up to 1920x1080 and probably higher.”
  • gameplay1,733 mentions

    The gameplay of Age of Empires II HD Edition is widely praised for its timeless mechanics, which remain largely unchanged from the original, offering a blend of simplicity and depth that appeals to both newcomers and veterans. Players appreciate the strategic depth provided by various civilizations, each with unique strengths, and the engaging campaigns that serve as a solid introduction to the game's mechanics. While some critiques mention outdated graphics and occasional AI issues, the overall consensus is that the gameplay is addictive, well-balanced, and continues to deliver countless hours of enjoyment.

    • “The game enhances the classic AOE experience with stunning 4K graphics, improved gameplay mechanics, and a wide range of civilizations to command.”
    • “With its intricate gameplay, massive content offerings, and continued support from developers and the community, it remains a pinnacle of the genre and a must-play for both new and seasoned players alike.”
    • “The gameplay is easy to understand but difficult to master, making it a great choice for both casual and hardcore gamers.”
    • “Unfortunately, gameplay is a bit shallow such as troops' movements and attack.”
    • “The graphics are outdated and unappealing, the AI is terrible and the gameplay is slow and dull.”
    • “The gameplay seems really old, really tedious and even annoying nowadays.”
  • story597 mentions

    The story aspect of "Age of Empires II" is generally praised for its historical accuracy and engaging campaigns, featuring well-known figures like Joan of Arc and Genghis Khan. Players appreciate the variety of missions that blend narrative-driven objectives with traditional RTS gameplay, although some find the storytelling to be less compelling compared to modern titles. While the original campaigns are celebrated for their depth and challenge, newer expansions have received mixed reviews, with some players noting bugs and a lack of voiceovers that detract from the experience.

    • “The campaigns blend historical accuracy with creative storytelling, immersing players in engaging narratives.”
    • “The story mode of factions is historically researched.”
    • “The missions offer a blend of narrative-driven objectives and traditional RTS gameplay, introducing historical context in a way that complements the action.”
    • “The new DLC for this edition didn't feel as well crafted in terms of story and narration as the original campaigns.”
    • “The narration in the intros to each campaign scenario and the various missions within the campaigns were always excellent and it's just a shame that it wasn't continued with the later ones.”
    • “The story narration audio that was there in Age of Empires II campaigns is missing, and that is why the single player is not up to standard; it feels as if the crux of the story is missing.”
  • music449 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its nostalgic and immersive qualities, with many players highlighting the remastered soundtrack as a significant enhancement that complements the gameplay. Reviewers appreciate the variety of tunes that fit the historical setting, often describing the soundtrack as iconic and memorable, evoking strong feelings of nostalgia. While some critiques mention that the music can become repetitive, the overall consensus is that the soundtrack is a standout feature that greatly enriches the gaming experience.

    • “The remastered soundtrack enhances the overall experience, blending familiar tunes with higher-quality audio production.”
    • “The game's music complements the historical atmosphere, enhancing the immersive experience.”
    • “Coupled with an epic soundtrack that captures the spirit of each civilization, the game's audio design remains a standout feature.”
    • “The music is awful.”
    • “This soundtrack is what you get when porn music and elevator music have a baby.”
    • “I've never considered a game unplayable because of music before, but holy f*** this is awful.”
  • stability268 mentions

    The stability of the game has been widely criticized, with many users reporting frequent bugs, glitches, and performance issues, particularly in multiplayer modes. While some players note improvements over time, the game remains plagued by lag, freezes, and unresponsive AI, making it difficult to enjoy fully. Overall, the experience is described as inconsistent, with a mix of playable moments overshadowed by persistent technical problems.

    • “Runs great even in a cheap toaster.”
    • “I have an older built gaming computer from like 10 years ago and wanted to play, this game runs great and the multiplayer is perfect.”
    • “I never have any issues with it, no freezes, no crashes it just runs.”
    • “These goddamn lags and microfreezes make the game impossible to enjoy...”
    • “The game is a buggy mess and there's way too many civilizations to choose from, but it's still one of the best games ever made.”
    • “The online ranked mode was a bit buggy, causing a lot of connection problems, lags, and disconnects.”
  • replayability244 mentions

    Age of Empires II is widely praised for its exceptional replayability, attributed to its diverse campaigns, customizable scenarios, and robust multiplayer options. Players appreciate the game's ability to offer unique experiences through random map generation and a variety of civilizations, ensuring that no two games are alike. The ongoing support from the community, including mods and expansions, further enhances its longevity and replay value, making it a timeless classic in the RTS genre.

    • “The additional campaigns and refined AI make it even more immersive, while multiplayer options ensure endless replayability.”
    • “Players can create and share custom scenarios, maps, and game modes, further extending the game’s replay value.”
    • “The community's dedication has also led to the creation of countless mods, custom maps, and user-generated content, extending the game's longevity and replayability.”
    • “A good port - though the game doesn't have much replayability and definitely doesn't seem to hold up to the classic 'test of time'.”
    • “Simple things like allowing players to edit all of a unit's stats instead of a select few and allowing players to make their own, unique civilizations were not included, despite these potentially offering much replayability.”
    • “Compared to Blizzard's RTS games, it does not stand up when it comes to attention to detail or race/character individuality, but it does have plenty of replay value and lengthy campaigns.”
  • optimization243 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players noting significant performance issues, particularly in multiplayer modes and during large-scale battles. While some users report smoother gameplay and improved performance on modern systems compared to the original, others experience stuttering, lag, and connectivity problems that detract from the overall experience. Overall, while there have been improvements, many players feel that the game still suffers from poor optimization, especially for online play.

    • “The game optimizations that have been applied since this was released on CD-ROMs back in the day make playing (and playing online) easier than it has ever been.”
    • “Classic real-time strategy action with an updated interface and increased performance speeds.”
    • “The graphics have been smoothed somewhat, and the AI has been optimized from the original.”
    • “The only real setback to this version of AOE2 is the performance.”
    • “I can't really recommend this game; it just has too many bugs, lag, and overall very poorly optimized for modern computers.”
    • “The sad truth is that, after nearly 3 years, the current developers of the HD edition seem incapable of fixing the game's never-ending conveyor belt of bugs, glitches, and crippling performance issues.”
  • humor121 mentions

    The humor in the game is widely praised, with players highlighting its nostalgic charm, hilarious cheat codes, and amusing voice lines that enhance the overall experience. Many reviews emphasize the game's ability to generate laughter during multiplayer sessions, making it a perfect choice for parties and casual play with friends. Overall, the humor feels organic and contributes significantly to the game's enduring appeal, even after many years.

    • “It's pure nostalgia and the perfect party/lan game that always produces hilarious and engaging results with friends.”
    • “The humor comes naturally instead of forced.”
    • “A classic game, funny and strategic; you learn a lot of history because of this game, whether with friends, alone, or multiplayer.”
    • “The humor in this game falls flat and feels forced, making it more cringeworthy than entertaining.”
    • “I expected some laughs, but the jokes are stale and often miss the mark entirely.”
    • “The attempts at humor are so weak that they detract from the overall experience rather than enhance it.”
  • grinding88 mentions

    Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be quite tedious, with many noting that resource management, particularly farming, can feel overwhelming and time-consuming. While some appreciate the strategic depth and the ability to engage in both competitive and relaxed gameplay, the sheer volume of grinding required for achievements and resource gathering often detracts from the overall enjoyment. Improvements in remastered versions have been acknowledged, but many still feel that the game can be excessively grindy, requiring significant time investment for completionists.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “Not grindy enough.”
    • “A bit grindy sometimes.”
    • “For achievement hunters, good luck - this game has grindy achievements.”
    • “The game is crazy tedious and not as fun as I remembered.”
    • “It's tedious and certain things are quite annoying (buildings appearing and disappearing when your citizens move, it takes forever to break down most stone buildings, collecting resources is slow, farms deplete super quickly and they don't let you queue up updates at buildings).”
  • emotional34 mentions

    Players express a deep emotional connection to the game, often citing nostalgia as a powerful factor that evokes laughter and tears alike. Many reviewers highlight the heartwarming community and memorable experiences that make the game feel timeless, while some note the emotional rollercoaster it provides, even years after initial play. Overall, the game is celebrated for its ability to resonate emotionally, creating unforgettable moments with friends and a sense of belonging.

    • “I think it was the first time I cried because of a game.”
    • “Its a classic... I laughed, I cried, it moved me.”
    • “The emotional connection this game brings to me today when I play it with my friends is unforgettable.”
  • atmosphere33 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its immersive medieval setting, enhanced by beautiful music and iconic sound effects that complement the historical visuals. Players appreciate the attention to detail in period-accurate maps and unit designs, which together create a unique and engaging experience that stands out among real-time strategy games. Despite some dated graphics, the overall atmosphere remains compelling and nostalgic, contributing significantly to the gameplay enjoyment.

    • “The game's music complements the historical atmosphere, enhancing the immersive experience.”
    • “The atmosphere, however, is very immersive, especially with the period-accurate maps, buildings, and unit designs that pull you into the medieval world.”
    • “A piece of evergreen history comes alive in high-definition textures and still has the same feeling and atmosphere as years ago.”
    • “The graphics are dated, but they give the game an atmosphere that reflects the rough life and circumstances of the era portrayed.”
    • “It ruins all that nostalgic atmosphere for me when I see the new buildings in the game: they stand out a lot, at least for me.”
    • “The text is well spoken and tries to lend it atmosphere, but your time is better spent on newer, more sophisticated games.”
  • monetization26 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game has been widely criticized as a blatant cash grab, with many reviewers expressing disappointment over the reliance on DLC and the lack of meaningful improvements in the remaster. While some appreciate the absence of microtransactions, the overall sentiment is that the game feels overpriced and underwhelming, failing to justify its cost with substantial content or enhancements. Despite a few positive notes regarding gameplay focus, the overwhelming consensus is that the monetization strategy detracts from the game's legacy.

    • “One of the best aspects is the absence of microtransactions, which keeps the focus purely on gameplay.”
    • “It's 2018 and this has still not become a battle royale with loot boxes, microtransactions, or a challenged fanbase.”
    • “Is there even a studio capable of producing such a game without getting too focused on eye candy, always-action-have-it-now gameplay, and microtransactions?”
    • “Yet another cash grab from Microsoft, and despite being called the 'HD' version, it doesn't scale to anything higher than 1080p.”
    • “Unfortunately, this is a cash grab release. You can't even set the game's resolution; you have to lower your desktop resolution before going into the game, otherwise you can't read any of the text or see the units as everything is so small.”
    • “Due to the lack of any fixes in 6 months, I am forced to conclude this is just a cash grab on behalf of Microsoft; avoid at all costs!”
  • character development1 mentions

    The character development is praised for its fantastic design and notable voice acting from well-known Hollywood stars, enhancing the overall experience and depth of the characters.

    • “The character design is fantastic and even features voice acting from some of Hollywood's most famous, including Jimmy Fallon, Sandra Bullock, and Ken Jeong from The Hangover!”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Buy Age of Empires II (Retired)

Play time

67hMedian play time
355hAverage play time
8-500hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 96 analyzed playthroughs

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