Age of Empires Definitive Edition

83%
Game Brain Score Based on 4,797 reviews
  • graphics
  • gameplay
  • music
Age of Empires Definitive Edition Game Cover
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Age of Empires, the pivotal RTS that launched a 20-year legacy returns in definitive form for Windows 10 PCs. Bringing together all of the officially released content with modernized gameplay, all-new visuals and a host of other new features, Age of Empires: Definitive Edition is the complete RTS package. Engage in over 40 hours of updated campaign content with new narration and pacing, jump onlin…

  • PC
  • Windows
  • Xbox
  • Xbox Game Pass
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

83%
Audience ScoreBased on 4,797 reviews
graphics321 positive mentions
stability64 negative mentions
  • graphics867 mentions

    The graphics of Age of Empires: Definitive Edition have received widespread praise for their significant improvement over the original, featuring stunning 4K visuals, enhanced textures, and modern animations that retain the nostalgic charm of the classic game. Many players appreciate the option to switch between the updated graphics and the original visuals, allowing for a personalized experience. However, some critiques highlight that despite the graphical upgrades, the gameplay remains largely unchanged, with persistent issues like poor pathfinding and AI performance.

    • “The graphics are much improved, and the game looks like a modern title with new textures, light effects, and details.”
    • “The updated graphics are just beautiful; I spent so much time just looking around at things!”
    • “The definitive edition lives up to its name by updating the classic game with 4K resolution and excellent graphics and animation upgrades that retain the spirit of the original.”
    • “The graphics and overall visual presentation may feel dated, lacking the level of detail and realism found in newer titles.”
    • “The graphics are improved, but the gameplay feels the same, and the pathfinding is still terrible.”
    • “Despite the updated graphics, the game remains largely the same, with many of the original flaws still present.”
  • gameplay363 mentions

    The gameplay of the remastered Age of Empires has received mixed reviews, with many players noting that while the graphics have significantly improved, the core mechanics remain largely unchanged from the original 1997 version. Critics highlight persistent issues such as clunky pathfinding, outdated AI, and a lack of substantial gameplay enhancements, making it feel less refined compared to modern RTS titles like Age of Empires II. Despite these drawbacks, some players appreciate the nostalgia and simplicity of the gameplay, finding it enjoyable for casual play, especially for those familiar with the original.

    • “The sheer depth and complexity of the game's mechanics keep me engaged for hours on end, constantly strategizing and adapting to the changing tides of history.”
    • “What I love most about Age of Empires: Definitive Edition is how immersive and challenging the gameplay is.”
    • “The gameplay is a little modified, but has the same options.”
    • “The gameplay is clunky, the narration of the campaigns is conveyed in a bit of a boring way, and overall if you want a real-time strategy game, Age of Empires II just does everything better.”
    • “Unfortunately, this remake only manages to elevate the graphics to modern standards, but the aging gameplay and the simply non-existing pathfinding AI makes playing the game a master-level course of frustration.”
    • “The gameplay is nowhere near as polished as it is in Age of Empires II; the AI is really poor, there's a lot of quirks that just don't make a lot of sense, and the campaigns feel like they were written and voiced in 1997.”
  • music294 mentions

    The music in the remastered version of Age of Empires has received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating the orchestral re-recording that enhances the original melodies, while others lament the absence of the classic MIDI tracks that defined the original game. Some players find the new soundtrack to be nostalgic and fitting, while others feel it lacks the charm and personality of the original compositions. Overall, the remastered music is seen as a significant improvement in quality, but many fans wish for more options to toggle between the new and original soundtracks.

    • “The remastered soundtrack is outstanding, capturing the essence of the original pieces and bringing them to a modern digital age.”
    • “The music perfectly fits the age and theme the game is set in, creating a nostalgic atmosphere that enhances the gameplay experience.”
    • “The new soundtrack is a joy to listen to, with many tracks maintaining the characteristics of the original while introducing fresh melodies.”
    • “The soundtrack is a watered-down version of the original, albeit with realistic-sounding instruments.”
    • “The remastered music doesn't give me the nostalgia I crave, and something should be done with the difficulty, at least to have options, not standard to feel like hard.”
    • “The re-imagined music is forgettable; it does not really sound anything like the classic music in the original.”
  • story191 mentions

    The game's story aspect is characterized by a mix of nostalgia and frustration, with players appreciating the historical context and voiceovers in campaign missions, yet often finding the missions unbalanced and overly difficult. While the campaigns offer a variety of scenarios that evoke memories of the original game, many players report issues with AI behavior and mission design that detract from the overall experience, making some missions feel nearly impossible to complete. Overall, the storytelling is engaging, but the execution in gameplay can lead to significant challenges that overshadow the narrative enjoyment.

    • “Although this game is aged, and the controls are a bit clunky, it feels like I'm reading a short war novel upon completion of each campaign mission, and the game itself is entertaining in its method of exploration.”
    • “Each mission in the campaigns has a detailed historical description.”
    • “The campaigns are very interesting and they have the 'easy' difficulty level, which allowed me to just play a chilled game and follow the story (which I'm mainly interested in).”
    • “As of September 2023, the AI in some missions is totally broken, making it impossible for a casual player to beat them even on lower difficulties.”
    • “Some missions are just unbeatable, and the AI doesn't follow the original mission objectives.”
    • “The campaign mode is unfortunately where this new AI is most damaging to the game, as it will always act just like it would in skirmish/deathmatch, ruining the mission's narrative.”
  • stability71 mentions

    The stability of the game has received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with many users reporting numerous bugs, glitches, and crashes that significantly hinder gameplay. While some players have experienced smooth performance without issues, the majority highlight persistent problems such as broken AI, pathfinding errors, and frequent freezes, leading to frustration and disappointment. Overall, the game's stability is considered poor, with many calling for urgent fixes and updates.

    • “It works great on my Windows 10 computer with no glitches.”
    • “AOE had no glitches, no bugs, no crashes so far; it just runs fine.”
    • “After 170 hours of playing time -- no freezes, no crashes, no noticeable bugs.”
    • “This game is a buggy mess.”
    • “The game is very buggy; multiplayer private lobby invitations don't work.”
    • “It is disappointing: very buggy, error after error, pathfinding is ridiculously bad.”
  • optimization70 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant performance issues, including stuttering, lag, and poor AI pathfinding, even on high-end systems. While some users have found ways to improve performance by adjusting settings, others feel that the remaster lacks sufficient optimization and has not addressed long-standing bugs. Overall, while the graphics have been enhanced, the gameplay experience is often marred by technical shortcomings.

    • “The textures, models, and animations have been improved, creating a visually stunning experience that runs smoothly at 1440p and 144 fps.”
    • “I would highly recommend it for anyone looking for an optimized RTS game.”
    • “Blast from the past, well optimized for current systems.”
    • “The amount of stuttering/lag experienced in this game ruins the nostalgia the devs are trying to bring back.”
    • “I'm running this game on a 3070 through an SSD card and I'm getting stuttering like crazy and can't solve it to save my life.”
    • “The performance isn't really good either.”
  • grinding36 mentions

    Reviews highlight that grinding in the game can be both strategic and tedious, with resource gathering offering some engaging choices, yet many players find the campaign missions and AI interactions to be excessively grindy and frustrating. While achievements provide a sense of accomplishment, some require significant grinding, leading to a perception that the gameplay is slow and often tedious, especially in comparison to more recent titles. However, improvements in farming mechanics have been noted as a positive change, reducing the micro-management typically associated with resource gathering.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “Most of the campaigns are tedious at best and miserable at worst.”
    • “Many achievements are obtained during normal play, but there are some brutal ones that require way too much grinding.”
    • “The game is slow and the lack of end game upgrades makes taking enemy bases a bit tedious.”
  • replayability28 mentions

    Overall, the game is praised for its high replayability, with many users highlighting the abundance of custom campaigns, diverse civilizations, and engaging gameplay that keeps it fresh even after years. While some critiques mention limitations compared to its successors and minor issues with playability, the general consensus is that it remains a fun and endlessly replayable classic, bolstered by an active multiplayer community.

    • “This game is engaging and entertaining with plenty of replayability.”
    • “Incredible replayability.”
    • “This game has heaps of replayability and always has an active multiplayer community of truly hardcore fans.”
    • “While accessible, it does have disadvantages, especially against its successor which has more units and strategies to win, which may harm replayability.”
    • “Pathfinding is still terrible, the new graphics tend to make my hardware go 'nope' in some cases, and since the needs of players have far progressed since 1997, the game might seem lacking if played constantly; it has always had way less replayability than the second implementation.”
    • “This is a clear cash grab that wasn't made to give you fun... they could have made so many little tweaks to make it more playable... can't recommend the game - even the controls haven't aged well.”
  • atmosphere22 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising its nostalgic elements, soundtracks, and unique settings that evoke a sense of history from the stone age to the classical era. However, some players feel that the updated graphics and changes have detracted from the original's gritty and immersive atmosphere, leading to a loss of the charm that made the game special. Overall, while the atmosphere remains a highlight for many, it is viewed as a double-edged sword, with some preferring the original's aesthetic.

    • “I cannot describe my love for its atmosphere, soundtracks, and visualization.”
    • “This is a history lesson in itself about classic, old-school RTS and still tons of fun to play with a great atmosphere.”
    • “When I first played this, I was enjoying the ancient atmosphere unique to this game.”
    • “Clunky and ruined atmosphere compared to some third-party HD mods and patches.”
    • “They overworked the graphics and lost the entire atmosphere from back in the days.”
    • “As a fan of the original AOE when it came out, I can say that this completely changes the atmosphere of the original game.”
  • humor16 mentions

    The humor in the game is often derived from its quirky AI behavior, unbalanced difficulty, and amusing narrative elements, which can lead to funny moments during gameplay. Players appreciate the comedic aspects of the game's mechanics, such as the absurdity of unit pathfinding and the humorous commentary provided by the narrator. Overall, the game is seen as more enjoyable when played alone or with friends, with plenty of laughable scenarios and memorable experiences.

    • “Funny with friends, but you can also have hours of playtime on your own.”
    • “It's funny when you realize - the actual Hannibal had an easier time moving his army than we do in this game.”
    • “Losing (or saving and quitting) often has a humorous story to go with it.”
  • monetization10 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game has been widely criticized, with many users labeling it a "shameless cash grab" that prioritizes profit over quality and player experience. Reviewers express frustration over technical issues and a lack of optimization, particularly for lower-end machines, suggesting that the game feels hastily assembled for financial gain rather than genuine enjoyment. Overall, the sentiment is that the developers have failed to deliver a polished product, leading to disappointment among fans.

    • “I will definitely give a hard pass to AOE nostalgia since these developers apparently see these games only as a quick cash grab instead of testing them properly.”
    • “This is a clear cash grab that wasn't made to give you fun...they could have made so many little tweaks to make it more playable...can't recommend the game - even the controls haven't aged well.”
    • “The campaigns are literally unplayable, Microsoft chucked this game together with little thought to anything other than a cash grab.”
  • emotional5 mentions

    Players express a deep emotional connection to the remastered version of Age of Empires, highlighting its ability to evoke nostalgia and joy from their childhood experiences. The music, particularly the whirling dulcimer, resonates strongly, prompting tears and a profound sense of sentimentality. Overall, the game successfully taps into players' cherished memories, making it a powerful emotional experience.

    • “It makes my nostalgia buds want to cry.”
    • “Do not get me wrong, I love Age of Empires. It made me feel happy when I was a child and gave me something to do when I was done with my homework or came back from school.”
    • “You made me cry with this remastered version of my favorite childhood game.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
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Buy Age of Empires Definitive Edition

Play time

53hMedian play time
63hAverage play time
16-132hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 10 analyzed playthroughs

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