Age of History II

About

Age of History II is a turn-based strategy game, where players guide their chosen civilization through the ages, from ancient times to the modern era. Covering over 2000 years of history, players must manage their empire's economy, technology, and military to expand and maintain power. With a focus on historical accuracy and realism, this game offers a detailed and immersive experience for fans of strategy and history alike.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Local Multi-Player Play with friends in the same physical space using split-screen or multiple screens
2-Players Play with one other player, either online or locally, in a cooperative or competitive game mode
Multi-Player Compete or cooperate with other players online
Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo
PvP Player versus Player - Fight against other players in real-time, often in arena-style combat
Split Screen Play with multiple players on the same screen, often with divided or shared screen real estate

87%

Audience ScoreBased on 8,802 reviews

gameplay94 positive mentions

stability224 negative mentions

gameplay
435 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
68%
11%
The gameplay of the game is characterized by its simplicity and accessibility, making it suitable for casual players and those new to the strategy genre. However, many reviews highlight a lack of depth and variety, leading to repetitive and shallow experiences over time. While customization options and a range of scenarios are appreciated, technical issues and simplistic mechanics detract from the overall enjoyment, with some players expressing frustration over bugs and AI behavior.
- “The gameplay is great for its simplicity and the modding experience.”
- “The game certainly lives up to its motto, 'simple to learn yet hard to master' as just like other famous strategy games such as chess, if you don't know what you're doing, you could be obliterated, at which point you can load the last save or restart, or you could get reasonably lucky, and have enough time to learn the mechanics, which are, as the motto suggests, very simple.”
- “The mechanics are easy to learn and the game easily lets you create your own scenarios and countries.”
- “Despite an interesting strategy concept, it offers shallow gameplay, predictable AI, and lacks depth in mechanics.”
- “The gameplay is very simple, but there are bugs in the gameplay such as the disappearing army, the map unexpectedly throws the player to the other end of the world, and sometimes the save can be lost if you don't save it well.”
- “The gameplay is pretty fine I guess, you build buildings, build up population and economy, get some troops and then invade other countries, or even get allies or unions.”
stability
225 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's stability is a significant concern, with numerous users reporting frequent and game-breaking bugs that can disrupt gameplay and corrupt save files. While some players find the game enjoyable despite its glitches, many express frustration over the lack of updates and support from the developer, leading to a consensus that the game is overly buggy and often unplayable. Overall, the stability issues detract from the experience, making it difficult for players to fully enjoy the game.
- “Really fun game, no glitches or errors in the actual game so far.”
- “The game is extremely buggy, to the point where I'm encountering glitches and bugs every time I play, such as when I'm clicking through scenarios the game flickers black, and when I try to save my lengthy ordeal, the game just crashes and closes.”
- “It's disappointing how buggy the game is. I understand that only one developer is working on it, but it's far too buggy, and there have been many times I've been extremely frustrated with the game.”
- “This game is a buggy mess, filled with game-breaking glitches that ruin the experience, and it hasn't received any updates for a long time.”
graphics
126 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
73%
7%
The graphics of the game are generally considered basic and not cutting-edge, with many users noting that they prioritize gameplay over visual appeal. While some appreciate the simplicity and functionality of the user interface, others criticize the presence of graphical bugs and outdated visuals. Overall, the consensus is that the graphics are serviceable but lack polish, making the game more suitable for those focused on strategy rather than aesthetics.
- “The graphics are also noteworthy, with detailed terrain, beautiful cityscapes, and a well-designed user interface.”
- “Very nice graphics and fun gameplay; for this price, it's worth it!”
- “While simplistic in its graphics, Age of Civilizations II is quite fun.”
- “Diplomacy bug where it just stops working, cannot enter peace with a nation, screen becomes polluted with graphical errors, the nation name migrating far away from its nation happens every single game, world countries becoming a blood red, crashes, sometimes your entire army just disappears to the void and you still pay for it.”
- “Graphics look like garbage.”
- “The graphics leave a little to be desired, but thankfully there are few mods out there that change the map up and of course, add many more scenarios.”
story
97 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
5%
69%
26%
The reviews overwhelmingly indicate that the game lacks a significant story, with many users stating it has "no story" or minimal narrative elements. However, some players appreciate the potential for imaginative gameplay and scenario creation, suggesting that while the default scenarios are devoid of a structured plot, players can craft their own narratives. Overall, the game's focus appears to be more on tactical gameplay than on storytelling.
- “One last thing that may lure you in: this game doesn't take place in one year where you choose a country and just play the same story over and over again, just from a different point of view.”
- “Not only that, but you can also easily create your own scenarios and fill it with your own countries and your own story.”
- “Moral of the story, you never know what life holds in store for you, and if I would have given up when all the odds were stacked against me, I wouldn't be where I am today.”
- “☑ no story”
- “🔲 this game has no story”
- “But the game is total gold for your imagination, as the default scenarios have no events or 'story' or anything happening apart from conquering the world.”
grinding
71 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
1%
41%
58%
The reviews consistently highlight that the game is heavily grindy, often requiring an excessive time investment to progress, with many players feeling that it can become tedious and repetitive. While some find it enjoyable for casual play, the overwhelming sentiment is that the grinding aspect detracts from the overall experience, making it feel more like a chore than fun.
- “Very grindy sometimes.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “This game is just grinding, that's it.”
- “Very repetitive gameplay and tedious to play as well.”
humor
50 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is widely appreciated, with players finding it both silly and entertaining, often highlighting its absurd scenarios and quirky mechanics. Many reviews mention the game's ability to generate laughter through its wacky situations, such as humorous historical events and exaggerated country statistics. Overall, the game is described as a fun and lighthearted experience, perfect for those looking for a comedic twist in strategy gaming.
- “Personally, I think it's a great game; however, I do wish you could make a map like sculpt the world yourself, but overall it's a great game, very fun. (By the way, I said 'butt' instead of 'but' hehe, funny right?)”
- “It's not too easy or too hard, and it's funny sometimes.”
- “The game does allow you to play various scenarios (some humorous ones like the Great Emu War (never forget) and the Football War turning hot).”
music
38 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
18%
66%
16%
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with many players noting that it consists largely of repetitive royalty-free tracks that can become monotonous over time. While some appreciate the ambiance it creates and find it fitting for the game, others express a desire for more original content and improvements. Overall, the soundtrack is seen as a weak point, with several players opting to mute it in favor of their own music.
- “The soundtrack and sound effects are also top-notch, adding to the overall atmosphere of the game.”
- “The game is cheap and all the music is just amazing and fits the ambiance.”
- “It has fun gameplay, an epic soundtrack, and the different scenarios are hilarious!”
- “The music is royalty-free music, so while it gets the job done, it could be better.”
- “Music and audio aren't really good.”
- “Music gets repetitive fast.”
replayability
36 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
61%
8%
The game boasts exceptional replayability, largely due to its robust map editor, scenario creator, and vibrant modding community, allowing players to craft unique experiences and outcomes. Many users report spending extensive hours replaying the game, often comparing its replay value to popular titles like Minecraft and Terraria. However, some players feel that the game lacks depth in certain areas, which may limit its appeal for those seeking variety.
- “The game's map editor and scenario creator significantly enhance its replayability, allowing players to craft custom scenarios or alter historical outcomes according to their whims.”
- “The ability to create custom civilizations and custom scenarios has led this game to have much replay value within it.”
- “Endless replayability and multiple scenarios.”
- “For £4 you're honestly just better off saving for something else, there is barely any replayability in this, and if there was, it wouldn't make up for the fact that you end up killing your eyes looking at the dull shade of the map constantly.”
- “But it is pretty simplistic and doesn't quite have the same kind of replay value.”
- “Despite this, this game provides a lot of content and replayability for the MSRP of $4.99.”
optimization
24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
42%
33%
The game's optimization is a mixed bag, with some players reporting smooth performance on low-end systems, while others experience significant issues, particularly in multiplayer modes and with bugs that hinder gameplay. Many users express frustration over the lack of graphics settings and poor UI optimization for PC, suggesting that the game feels more like a mobile port. Overall, while there are moments of good performance, the consensus is that the game requires further optimization and bug fixes to enhance the overall experience.
- “Optimization - 10/10”
- “It's also well optimized, so that's that.”
- “I can run on my old computer too, which is very important to me, and it runs smoothly.”
- “It should be optimized or removed, as it was in the mobile age of civilization.”
- “But Age of History II is so unoptimized that it runs slower than most of my complex strategy games.”
- “Most of my other problems with this game is the fact that it's poorly optimized for PC.”
emotional
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players express a mix of emotional engagement and frustration with the game, highlighting its fun and wholesome aspects while also noting moments of disappointment due to glitches. The emotional connection seems to stem from the game's ability to evoke strong feelings, though some players feel it may not have lasting appeal without significant updates.
- “490+ hours and I want to cry.”
- “Wholesome.”
- “I tentatively recommend this because it is a lot of fun to begin with, but after the 54 hours I've put into it, I probably won't be touching it again either until it gets a major update or a really long time from now.”
monetization
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
80%
The monetization model of the game is primarily based on a one-time purchase, with no in-game advertisements or microtransactions, which some players appreciate as a fair approach to revenue. However, concerns are raised about the game's current state and the potential for future monetization strategies, likening it to perceived cash grabs from other titles. Overall, while the upfront cost is seen as justified, trust in the developer's commitment to ongoing support is questioned.
- “The game completely deserves to be paid, as the creator needs a way to make revenue since there are no in-game purchases.”
- “I appreciate that the game has a one-time purchase model, allowing me to enjoy the full experience without constant microtransactions.”
- “The monetization strategy is fair and transparent, ensuring that players get their money's worth without feeling pressured to spend more.”
- “This game is still in an extremely sorry state and I would not trust the developer to maintain the next cash grab.”
- “You're likely better off just dealing with the Paradox DLC cash grab from EU4, CK2, HOI4.”
- “(There is a 'manual' link on the store page, but it just goes to an advertisement.)”
atmosphere
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's atmosphere is enhanced by high-quality soundtracks and sound effects, creating an engaging experience. Players appreciate its casual vibe, making it accessible and enjoyable for newcomers to the strategy genre.
- “The soundtrack and sound effects are also top-notch, adding to the overall atmosphere of the game.”
- “I enjoy its general atmosphere; it's almost a casual strategy game, and it's really easy to get into.”
character development
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Reviewers highlight the character development as impressive, noting that it adds depth and complexity to the characters, enhancing the overall gaming experience.
- “The character development in this game is incredibly immersive, allowing players to truly connect with each character's journey.”
- “I love how the characters evolve throughout the story, with their backstories and motivations becoming more complex as the game progresses.”
- “The depth of character development adds layers to the gameplay, making every decision feel impactful and meaningful.”