Age of Empires II (Retired)

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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.

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

95%

Audience ScoreBased on 35,714 reviews

graphics537 positive mentions

stability194 negative mentions

graphics
2,044 mentions
26 % positive mentions
67 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Age of Empires II: HD Edition" have received mixed feedback from users. While many appreciate the nostalgic charm and slight enhancements, such as improved water effects and support for higher resolutions, others feel that the graphical updates are minimal and do not significantly elevate the game's visual appeal compared to modern standards. Overall, the game retains its classic aesthetic, which some players find endearing, while others express disappointment at the lack of substantial improvements in graphics.
- “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- “The graphics are outdated, but a lot of effort went into them, and it looks genuinely great despite.”
- “The graphics are not the best, but it's not the graphics which determine whether a game is good or not.”
- “The graphics are very poor, the game just supports larger resolutions.”
gameplay
1,437 mentions
37 % positive mentions
61 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Age of Empires II HD is widely praised for its timeless mechanics, offering a blend of simplicity and depth that makes it accessible to newcomers while providing a challenging experience for veterans. Players appreciate the strategic depth, variety of civilizations, and engaging campaigns, which contribute to its high replay value. Despite some criticisms regarding outdated graphics and minor gameplay bugs, the core experience remains solid and enjoyable, making it a classic in the real-time strategy genre.
- “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 deep and strategic, with a good mix of military and economic decisions to make.”
- “Unfortunately, gameplay is a bit shallow such as troops' movements and attack.”
- “The gameplay seems really old, really tedious and even annoying nowadays.”
- “The gameplay is slow and boring.”
story
507 mentions
21 % positive mentions
75 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The story aspect of "Age of Empires II" is generally praised for its historical accuracy and engaging campaigns, featuring well-crafted narratives centered around iconic figures like Joan of Arc and Genghis Khan. While many players appreciate the depth and variety of missions, some criticize the lack of voiceovers and occasional bugs that disrupt the experience. Overall, the game is recognized for its rich storytelling and educational value, making it a standout in the real-time strategy genre.
- “The campaigns blend historical accuracy with creative storytelling, immersing players in engaging narratives.”
- “The missions offer a blend of narrative-driven objectives and traditional RTS gameplay, introducing historical context in a way that complements the action.”
- “The campaigns are well-written and offer a good mix of story and gameplay.”
- “The story mode in the campaigns is quite accurate and very impressive.”
- “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.”
music
368 mentions
42 % positive mentions
54 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its nostalgic and immersive qualities, with many players praising the remastered soundtrack that enhances the overall experience. The blend of medieval themes and diverse cultural influences creates a memorable audio backdrop that complements the gameplay, making it a standout feature for both new and returning players. While some critiques mention the music can become repetitive, the majority find it to be iconic and integral to the game's charm.
- “The remastered soundtrack enhances the overall experience, blending familiar tunes with higher-quality audio production.”
- “Coupled with an epic soundtrack that captures the spirit of each civilization, the game's audio design remains a standout feature.”
- “The music is iconic!”
- “The music is horrible, graphics are terrible, gameplay sucks.”
- “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 hell, this is awful.”
stability
220 mentions
10 % positive mentions
2 % neutral mentions
88 % negative 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 have noted improvements over time, significant problems such as freezing, lag, and unresponsive AI persist, leading to a frustrating experience for many. Overall, the game is described as "buggy" and "unplayable" at times, especially with the added DLC content.
- “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 god damn lags and microfreezes make the game impossible to enjoy...”
- “The game is a buggy mess.”
- “It's extremely buggy and prone to crashes.”
replayability
199 mentions
48 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
2 % negative 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 thriving modding community, ensuring that gameplay remains fresh and engaging even after years. The combination of strategic depth, community support, and continuous content updates contributes to its status as one of the most replayable games in the real-time strategy 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'.”
- “The freedom available to the player to pursue dozens of different strategies depending on the map and civilization gives this game tremendous replayability.”
- “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.”
optimization
198 mentions
20 % positive mentions
55 % neutral mentions
25 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players noting significant performance improvements over the original, particularly in single-player modes and on modern systems. However, numerous reports highlight persistent issues in multiplayer, including lag, stuttering, and connectivity problems, which detract from the overall experience. While some players appreciate the updated graphics and smoother gameplay on capable machines, others express frustration over the game's poor optimization for larger battles and the lack of resolution settings, leading to a generally inconsistent performance across different setups.
- “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.”
- “With the new textures and optimizations, Age of Empires II HD brings back all the fun I had when I first played the game.”
- “The only real setback to this version of AOE2 is the performance.”
- “I loved Age of Empires back in the day, and played it pretty religiously... but this is just a stuttering mess, and multiplayer is so laggy it's unplayable.”
- “Can't recommend this game; it has too many bugs, lag, and overall very poorly optimized for modern computers.”
humor
94 mentions
99 % positive mentions
-2 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised for its natural and engaging quality, often eliciting laughter through clever voice lines, amusing cheat codes, and nostalgic references. Players enjoy the hilarious multiplayer experiences and the game's ability to create funny moments, whether playing alone or with friends. Overall, the humor adds a delightful layer to the gameplay, making it a memorable and entertaining experience.
- “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 multiplayer challenge, always funny!”
- “The humor in this game falls flat and feels forced, making it more cringeworthy than funny.”
- “I expected a lot of laughs, but the jokes are stale and often miss the mark.”
- “The attempts at humor are so weak that they detract from the overall experience.”
grinding
67 mentions
4 % positive mentions
13 % neutral mentions
82 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game is frequently described as tedious and time-consuming, with many players noting the extensive effort required to achieve various in-game goals, particularly in farming and resource management. While some appreciate the strategic depth and find enjoyment in the grind, others feel it detracts from the overall experience, leading to frustration and a sense of monotony. Overall, the game offers a mix of fun and grind, with significant emphasis on resource gathering and achievement hunting that can feel overwhelming at times.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “A bit grindy sometimes.”
- “Not grindy enough.”
- “For achievement hunters, good luck - this game has grindy achievements.”
- “The game is crazy tedious and not as fun as I remembered.”
- “The only downside is that the achievements are almost impossible to get due to how much grinding you would need to do.”
emotional
31 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Players express a deep emotional connection to the game, often citing nostalgia as a significant factor that evokes laughter and tears. Many reviews highlight the game's wholesome community and its ability to create heartwarming experiences, making it a memorable journey that resonates long after playing. Overall, the emotional impact is described as profound, with players feeling both joy and sadness, reinforcing the game's lasting legacy.
- “I think it was the first time I cried because of a game.”
- “Its a classic... I laughed, I cried, it moved me.”
- “10/10 would emotional rollercoaster again.”
atmosphere
26 mentions
38 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
12 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its immersive medieval setting, enhanced by iconic sound effects, period-accurate graphics, and a compelling soundtrack that evokes nostalgia. Players appreciate the attention to detail in unit designs and maps, which contribute to a unique and engaging experience that stands out among real-time strategy games. Despite some concerns about newer graphics potentially disrupting the classic feel, the overall atmosphere remains a significant highlight, enriching gameplay and drawing players into its historical world.
- “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 epic medieval historical atmosphere.”
- “The atmosphere of the game, while not super immersive or anything, does the job and with the tapestry menu with your civilization's emblem in the middle, does a good enough job to not jar you out of the game.”
- “It ruins all that nostalgia atmosphere for me when I see the new buildings in 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.”
monetization
20 mentions
15 % positive mentions
20 % neutral mentions
65 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many users labeling it a "cash grab" due to the reliance on DLCs and the absence of in-game microtransactions. While some appreciate the lack of microtransactions, others criticize the overall pricing strategy and the perceived lack of value in the DLCs compared to the original games. Overall, the sentiment leans towards disappointment regarding the monetization approach, suggesting it feels exploitative rather than enhancing the gaming experience.
- “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?”
- “Clear cash grab.”
- “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 development
1 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The character development is praised for its fantastic design and notable voice acting from well-known Hollywood celebrities, 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!”