Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition

Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition is a remastered and improved edition of Age of Empires II – the second installment in the best-selling real time strategy series. Similarly to the original, released in 2000 by Microsoft, the game is available on PC. Definitive Edition has been developed by Forgotten Empires – a studio responsible for remastering the first series’ installment.

Plot

Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition features the content known from the original game. The story campaigns, the action of which takes place across four ages of particular civilizations’ development, have been enriched with new narrative elements.

Mechanics

In Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition, a player gets to lead one of over a dozen nations divided into four cultural circles – featuring the cultures of Middle-East, Far East, and both Western and Eastern Europe. Even though the civilizations have not been diversified in terms of their infrastructure, they can invent different technologies and erect unique Wonders of the World. Additionally, each civilization features certain advantages and disadvantages.

Gameplay mechanics are based on the framework developed for the first installment in the series, which before being implemented into the sequel, have been improved and modified. During the game, a player has to gather resources (food, wood, stone, and gold), and gradually develop his settlement by erecting new buildings and developing new technologies. In order to proceed to the following century, one has to meet specified conditions – the capstone of one’s efforts is the erection of a Wonder of the World, which has to be protected over a precise period of time in order to win.

Apart from the aspect of the economy, combat is also a very important element. In order to succeed, a player has to create a large and highly diversified army – this regards infantry, cavalry, and numerous war engines – and come up with effective strategies. Should one focus only on offensive and leave his stronghold without any protection, the enemy might use this and turn the tide of the battle in his favor.

Game modes

Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition revolves around story campaigns, featuring heroes such as William Wallace, Joan of Arc, Saladin, Frederick Barbarossa, or Genghis Khan. Moreover, the game offers a quick skirmish mode, in which a player has to face armies controlled by the artificial intelligence, and an elaborate multiplayer mode.

Technical aspects

In comparison to the original release, Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition features significantly improved visuals and the game supports 4K resolution. Moreover, the developers have also modified the interface, while symphonic soundtrack accompanies the players.

Last updated on 15 May 2023