Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition

this game is very fun i enjoy it and so do all my siblings and it is very cheap

very enjoying easy to learn and a cool game with great sound track

Might honestly be better than the original after 25 years of additional support and content

This updated version of AOE2, brings lots of fun and love that I used to have with the original AOE2 game!

Just a fan from way back. liked how they've resurrected aoe2 and made it have better graphics and much more.

lots of fun and runs on my old ops PC.

Fun strategy game, a little time consuming but definitely competitive and fun! I suggest adding friends because the lobby times can be long but definitely worth it! I have played it for a long time and still find it fun and challenging. Great for multiplayer

1. Gameplay & Mechanics:
• Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition refines classic RTS gameplay with smooth mechanics, deep strategy, and well-balanced civilizations. The mix of economy management, base-building, and tactical battles remains engaging, with quality-of-life improvements like auto-scout, but sometimes problem comes with units pathfinding.

2. AI:
• The AI is much improved, offering a real challenge even for veterans. However, at times, it can feel predictable or overly aggressive in higher difficulties.

3. Multiplayer:
• Multiplayer is the heart of the game, featuring ranked matches, casual lobbies, and co-op campaigns. Matchmaking is solid but can sometimes suffer from lag or disconnects.

4. Graphics:
• The remastered visuals look stunning while keeping the nostalgic charm of the original. Units, buildings, and landscapes are beautifully detailed in 4K.

5. Sounds:
• The enhanced soundtrack and re-recorded unit voices add immersion while staying true to the original. Classic sound effects remain satisfying.

6. Performance:
• Generally stable, but large-scale battles can cause FPS drops, especially on lower-end systems. Occasional desync issues in multiplayer.

7. Replayability:
With 39 civilizations, diverse campaigns, skirmish mode, and custom scenarios, the game offers endless replay value. Regular updates and expansions keep it fresh.

8. Content:
Packed with content, multiplayer, mod support, and frequent DLC expansions. It’s the definitive way to experience AoE2, I love new updates and civilizations and waiting for more civilizations and content.

Pros & Cons:
✅ Classic RTS gameplay with modern improvements (excellent)
✅ Massive content with frequent updates (excellent)
✅ Stunning remastered visuals (good)
✅ Strong multiplayer (good)
❌ Poor unit pathfinding (bad)
❌ AI can feel predictable at times (bad somethings)
❌ Occasional multiplayer desync issues (bad somethings)

Final Verdict & Recommendation:
Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition is the ultimate RTS experience, blending nostalgia with modern refinements. Whether you're a longtime fan or a newcomer, it’s a must-play for any strategy lover. Highly recommended!

i played first time when i was 10 yr old the cd game got it back at 27 the game got better this is the best game ever came out microsoft
best rts ever made and will be i cant see other rts being better than this even the other eoe arent this peak
legendary game unlimited grind lots of challenge bunch of tryhard crazy players and ai this is a game i and you wont stop playing no matter how long time pass. TRY IT if you thinking about it wont regret it i promise

Pros:
Campaigns are great. Not fully historically accurate obviously, but they are very fun and nostalgic. There are tons of campaigns and custom games that you can download from mods sections as well. Combining official campaigns and mods together, there is easily hundreds of hours worth single player content in this game.
Multiplayer vice, have played 1v1 ranked and team games. Black forest games are an amazing experience.

Cons:
Too many paid DLCs at this point. However, I understand that it's required to keep the content coming though.
Civ balance is not where I want it to be, but that's personal.
Pathing is still an issue. Somehow the voobly dudes figured it out better back in the days, get their help!!

Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition is a masterpiece that brings back the classic RTS experience with stunning visual upgrades and refined gameplay. The remastered graphics, improved AI, and quality-of-life changes make it the best way to experience this legendary game. Whether you're a veteran returning to relive the nostalgia or a new player stepping into the world of medieval strategy, this edition offers endless hours of engaging battles, strategic planning, and empire-building. The multiplayer is still as intense as ever, and the constant updates keep the game feeling fresh. It's a must-play for any fan of strategy games.

Probably the best strategy game in the history of video games, a remaster that's totally worth it. You have hours and hours of gameplay, both single-player and multiplayer, at an excellent price. Everything is a challenge in this game, every moment, every minute.

Many many years on AOE2 still defines the RTS genre, the definitive edition is a wholesome update that keeps all the original charm.

You genuinely can't say you like RTS games if you haven't played AOE2!

It's fun to play with friends, or even by yourself. Can you build your own kingdom from the ground up in countless ways with such little limitation. If you like epic battles, this game is for you!

GOAT of a game, even if you don't play multiplayer, the campaigns will keep you occupied for a LONG time. The community is also very lively, and plenty of mods out there. This is basically the skyrim of RTS plus great contents at a great price from the dev.

this game is in such a good state. and they are working on the few problems i have with this game. it's exciting to see something from my childhood, get so much support. I wish other games, and fandoms get similar fates.

I really enjoy this game. Have been playing for many years since the early versions. Played with kids who are now grown and still play with them from as far away as Japan

Amazing Game, Solo or with Friends, its always fun and relaxing to play it

I cannot believe Microsoft decided to make AOE2 always online. You cannot play the campaigns offline, which is ridiculous. What is the purpose for this?

Old school fun brought back for another generation of play.

Owls are like angry balloons with feathers.

nostalgia and strategy. super technical and difficult to learn but youtube tutorials really help. will always have a special place in my heart for this game! aoe is the best

A classic game that continues to receive incredible support from the dev team.

Awesome tribute to legend. For me this remake is very well made, nice graphics and gameplay remain true to original. I like that units are speaking their language (based on nation you choose). When you compare this to absolute trash what is AOE:DE you cant belive it was made by same people (maybe they got rid of those who made 1st AOE remake). This game is 10/10 for me. If you are thinking if you should by first AOE remake or this one, take this one.

Age of Empires 2 was my introduction to the world of PC games back in 1999. A quarter of a century later I am still in love with the timeless atmosphere and unique gameplay. The definitive edition has enhanced the base game in every aspect possible. Graphics, Bug Fixes, UI, balance, details, versatility... The constant amazing support, ongoing patches and multiple DLCs are more than a good reason to start over again every now and then. The devs continue to put out amazing additions and details, that players have been wishing for and debating about for years. It offers an enjoyable single player experience for relaxing as well as a very entertaining online community with a competitive ranking system and a lot of great streamers like T90, Dave and Spirit of the Law, who keep producing entertaining and informative content about news, updates and tournaments around the game. Whoever enjoys RTS games, should give this all time favourite a try. The game mechanics are comprehensive, organic and well structured. The ongoing development and support always open new ways for interesting strategies and builds to play around with. Paired with the inherent nostalgia it simply never gets boring.

Simply the GOAT. Inter-generational favourite RTS game. I grew up playing this game (since the days of the first AOE), and I am still not over it. My favourite aspect of this ever-green game is the perfect balance the developers have managed to strike in terms of accurate Historical narrative and the flexibility for the player, the great graphics (DE) without becoming overwhelming, the blended BGM, and the fact that I can spend hours and hours at a stretch on it without getting a headache or eye-burn (something other games in the similar genre have failed miserably to replicate). The campaigns are engaging, and the aspect where there is more than one ways to complete a scenario, is just cherry on top. I love the fact that the developers are constantly working on it, fixing bugs, expanding, adding new stuff, and engaging with the community. This game (from the original release to the DE) has been around for over a quarter of a century now, and still it is the best there is, and ever was in this genre, in my humble opinion.

Thank you AOE team. Strive on!

For some reason your units are pausing their motion several times as they move, it's funny how I did not get this issue when I first played this game. What a way to build a game then ruin it.

Age of Empires 2 (2013) on steam stopped working - save games would not load.

When seeking support I was told it was depreciated and to purchase Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition (this game).

Not sure why the devs can release a game on steam, introduce bugs into it via updates, abandon it, and tell people to buy a new version of the same game to be able to continue playing it. Awful, predatory practice.

I cannot recommend this game enough. After countless hours of playing the campaigns, beating the AI with friends, and playing the occasional MP battle, I still don't find myself getting bored with Age of Empires. I believe that what makes this RTS stand out in comparison to others is its diversity. Even when only playing skirmishes, no match is like the one before due to the various maps one can pick and the many civilizations with their different tech trees.
I will say though that the learning curve might seem very steep in the beginning. Do not let this discourage you though since it is worth it once you get the hang of it. My advice is to just take it easy, play a few campaigns to get to know different civilizations and go for some battles against the AI. If you can get some friends on board, it will only enhance your experience. There are even some coop-campaigns you can do together, which can be challenging for players new to the game.
Overall, I would recommend it wholeheartedly.

This game is just as much fun as it was twenty years ago, but this version is a bit easier to play. Living in the future is rad.

The only thing this game has going for it is nostalgia. Once you get past that, there's not much else to it.

Revitalize the old game. No bugs. Runs smoothly. Well done. Good job dev team.

Its Age of Empires 2, DEs quality of life improvements makes the game more playable.

great remaster of the best game ever.

just need to fix a few things such as unit pathing, cpu lag, and ranked mode for custom scenario

This is the only edition you’ll need, and if you can, grab it on sale. It's a bummer that the other versions are discontinued, but that’s just how it goes. Honestly, this version is a step up in many ways, especially with the graphics. Thanks to mods, the game is way more oversee-able from a bird's-eye view, and it has a less cartoony, more old-school aesthetic. The buildings snap into place smoothly, and hotkeys are essential—gotta love the auto-scout feature!

Overall, this version is much better than the original Age of Empires 2 and works really well, running optimally. If you're after some nostalgia or want to dive into something more competitive with a clearer overview compared to Age of Empires 4, this game is definitely worth checking out.

Love playing this game but now that you can't play it offline it's off my list entirely. I don't understand how devs can't understand that not everyone has internet available 100% of the time. This was my go-to game for when I was away from home...but no more.

I used to play this 20 years ago! This has saved me from using the old version as it was giving me some blue screen in compatibility mode in Windows 11 and was not good anymore. This is the exact replica with much more options outside of the game.

Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition is a masterpiece that seamlessly blends history and strategy into an immersive gaming experience. With enhanced graphics and sound, it breathes new life into the beloved classic. Whether you're a veteran strategist or new to the series, the game offers a rich tapestry of civilizations to command, each with unique strengths and strategies. From building majestic empires to leading epic battles, every moment feels both challenging and deeply rewarding. Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition sets the standard for real-time strategy games, making it a must-play for enthusiasts and newcomers alike.

I owned the original, the HD version and now the Definitive Edition.
A game with the perfect balance of strategy, economy and warfare. No matter how often you play, it never gets old. Many unique cultures with there individual strengths and hence playstyles, especially with the expansions. Although, of course, some are more "useful" than others.
Now with a little graphical update to make it look more modern.
To make it complete, you have numerous historical campaigns from Europe to Africa to Asia to America.

tl,dr: Highly recommended. Simply a classic. Money well spent.

The classic game with new flavor - multiplayer scene is active and easy to play. Strong suggestion!

A classic RTS title maintained, modded, and revived by the community, then given new life, official support, and new content. I'm proud to see this game still going not just strong, but stronger than ever. 14!

This game cannot be played without internet connection even for single player mode. Very incovinient for those without stable connection. I do not reccomend.

this is the best game I have ever played since I started playing computer games with it. Still I love this game most in my very long gaming career i.e. more than 25+ yrs. Truly if you have time, spend sometime with this game and you will definitely enjoy this one.

The satisfaction of building a kingdom, ruling it and profiting from its resources is intense!

More than that, there are wolves to remove, bandits to subdue and, worst of all, the four Bad Guys who plague your very existence. A player who can demolish a castle of the Rat, the Snake, the Pig or the Wolf is a formidable opponent indeed.

Learn what it's like to be ruler of your own demesne! Play Stronghold Kingdoms!

Age of empires 2 is always and forever a well balanced idea, materialised into a whole lot of fun

For me personally I enjoy the story mode, and MP is also amazing.
Came back after 10 years since the moment I played it, it still have it touch of being addictive :)).

A poor "upgrade" to the original AOE2, and it is a tragedy that the renaissance of AOE2 (compatibility with modern computers, additional civilisations, quality-of-life improvements) culminated in such a bloated engine such as this one. The new modern graphics don't add much and are a departure from the clean style of the original. I paid for this but I prefer to play the old engine (with a few patches).

Not the first, but probably the best RTS of all time. Refreshed with better graphics and quality of life improvements. Just getting back into it after spending most of my AOE time playing AOEII Age of Kings expansion back in the day with the cousins. Picking it back up with the cousins again and enjoying watching the tournaments on various streaming platforms too.

After playing more than 2000 hours since the definite edition came out i might write a recommendation.
I knew the AOE-Franchise from my childhood but i didnt touch the game in 15 years.
THe new definitve edition and a friend of mine brought me back to the game and after a stresful learning curve i have to say its worth the time. im speaking mainly from a competitive player perspective in pvp. compared to other rts macro and strategy are more important than just microing the units. graphics are very nice, even better than aoe4 when you talk about visibility and clearnes for pvp-play. best thing is, the global community is really nice, nothing in comparison to LoL, cs or other big pvp-online-games.
also you can find lot of content on twitch and youtube. i recommend t90official and spiritofthelaw for a start.

one last note to the ranking-system: for beginners i highly recommend to play some pve first but then dont be afraid to start in the ranking-matches and skip the normal game-mod in pvp. yes you will lose the first 10-20 games, but the elo-system will give you fitting opponents after that. smurf-accounts may occur but should be a rarity in age.
when you play normal-pvp "quickplay" the difference between players skill can vary alot. so as a beginner: just dont do that.

if your not into competitive rts the game propably still is way worth the money. there is alot alot alot (!) of campaign-content when you buy the full game-package. with the difficulty on easy you can also enjoy the storylines and dont have to sweat to hard. :-) and just by the way you can play aoe1 within the aoe2-game.

we love this game

Age 2 DE is the best RTS ever hands down. It's got a passionate team behind it and an incredible depth of strategy.

This game is extremely fun, but the controls and mechanics are difficult to learn IMO.

I really don’t like how long matches can get, and I dislike how you "lose" your progress when a game or campaign ends, as you can’t continue once it’s finished.

Some campaign missions are, in my opinion, very difficult to beat. I spent over six hours trying to complete The Rising - Joan of Arc.

If you're patient and don’t mind losing, this game is for you. If you don't want to sit down after a stressful day and add even more stress, this game is not for you.

Overall, I don’t like it because I suck at it, and I guess I’m just impatient.