Age of Empires Video Game Series
The bestselling series of real-time strategy (RTS) games, which is under the publishing supervision of Microsoft. Over the years, the development of the series has been handled by various development studios. Its first three installments were developed by the now-defunct Ensemble Studios, while the fourth part of the series was the work of the Relic Entertainment and World's Edge teams (which in 2019 was entrusted with the care of the series). In addition, such studios as Forgotten Empires, Griptonite Games, Gas Powered Games, Hidden Path Entertainment, Smoking Gun Interactive and TiMi Studios made their mark on the brand.
In the games of the series Age of Empires players take control of a selected civilization and direct its development over various eras. The game mainly consists of collecting resources, erecting buildings, technological development, as well as fielding armies and conducting conquests. You can play alone, through story campaigns and skirmishes, as well as in multiplayer mode.
First Age of Empires was released in 1997 on personal computers and was the debut work of Ensemble Studios, founded two years earlier. The title garnered very high marks from industry critics, launching a series that was to become one of Microsoft's eyesores in the near future. First, however, the production received an add-on The Rise of Rome, which was released in 1998. The year 1999 brought the release of a full-fledged sequel - Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings - which was a great artistic and commercial success. In time, also this item lived to see an expansion - released in 2000 The Conquerors. For the third part of the series - Age of Empires III - gamers had to wait much longer, until 2005, because in the meantime the developers dealt with its spin-off titled Age of Mythology. The game received two expansions - The WarChiefs (2006) and The Asian Dynasties (2007). The fourth installment of the series, titled Age of Empires IV, appeared as much as 16 years after its predecessor, in October 2021, and in time it lived to see an add-on, the 2023-released The Sultans Ascend.
Although the games in the series Age of Empires are created with the PC in mind, its second installment also came to consoles, to be precise - the PlayStation 2. Things were similar with the fourth installment of the series, which belatedly arrived on Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S. Over the years, the brand has lived to see not only the big, main installments, but also a number of spin-offs, which were developed with portable consoles in mind (Age of Empires: The Age of Kings, Age of Empires: Mythologies), mobile devices (Age of Empires: Castle Siege, Age of Empires Mobile) and multiplayer gameplay (Age of Empires Online). The latter title went offline in 2014, but was resurrected over time through a fan project AoEO: Castle Fan Project. In addition, years later, the second part of the series lived to see an HD edition (2013), followed by comprehensive remasters of the first three installments of the series (released between 2018 and 2020, each subtitled Definitive Edition).
Age of Empires Series Evolution
2024
Age of Empires Mobile
2021
Age of Empires IV
2020
Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition
2019
Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition
2018
Age of Empires: Definitive Edition
2015
Age of Empires: Castle Siege
2013
Age of Empires II: HD Edition
2011
Age of Empires Online
2008
Age of Empires: Mythologies
2006
Age of Empires: Zlota Edycja
2006
Age of Empires: The Age of Kings
2005
Age of Empires III
1999
Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings
1997
Age of Empires
Age of Empires Mobile
Strategy
October 17, 2024
A free-to-play spin-off of the popular series of RTS games, developed for mobile devices. Age of Empires Mobile offers mechanics typical for this series, but also plenty of brand new features, including turn-based battles in addition to classic real time combat.
Age of Empires IV
Strategy
October 28, 2021
The fourth full-fledged installment in the famous series of real-time strategy games. The saga is considered as one of the most important in the history of the genre. Contrary to previous games in the series, which were developed by the now defunct Ensemble Studios, Age of Empires IV was developed by Relic Entertainment, a studio that created series like Company of Heroes and Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War. The mechanics of Age of Empires IV are faithful to its predecessors. The player takes control of one of several civilizations (including European, Asian and Arab nations) and leads it through subsequent phases of evolution. During the game, the player is gathering resources, constructing new buildings and creating powerful armies. In addition to single player mode, the title features an advanced multiplayer mode that enables the player to face other commanders from across the world.
- Age of Empires IV: The Sultans Ascend November 14, 2023
Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition
Strategy
October 15, 2020
A refreshed and improved version of Age of Empires III, a game from 2005 that was the third installment in the series of best-selling real-time strategy games. The new version was developed by Forgotten Empires, a studio that also created remastered editions of the first and second games in the series. Most of the changes are related to the graphics and interface – they were adapted to modern computers and displays. This enabled the game to support 4K resolution. In comparison to the original game, the gameplay mechanics of Age of Empires III: Definite Edition remained unchanged. The game still focuses on managing a settlement by gathering resources, constructing new buildings, discovering new areas of the map and leading selected nation through various ages. Fighting enemy is an important aspect of the game – the battles are fought by infantry, cavalry, siege machines and powerful artillery. In addition to a single-player mode, the game features advanced multiplayer mode.
Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition
Strategy
November 14, 2019
A remastered and improved edition of Age of Empires II – the second installment in the best-selling real time strategy series, originally released in the year 2000. The enhanced edition has been developed by Forgotten Empires. The improvements implemented herein regard mostly the visuals and the interface – the visuals have been significantly improved, and the game supports 4K resolution. The developers have also decided to implement the symphonic soundtrack to accompany the player’s efforts. Similarly to its original release, Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition allows the players to lead one of over a dozen nations through the centuries of development. During the game, the player has to acquire resources, erect new structures, and invent new technologies. Apart from the economic aspect, combat is an important element of the game. In order to succeed, the player has to create a large and highly diversified army – including infantry, cavalry, and numerous war engines – and come up with effective strategies. Apart from the single player campaigns and skirmishes, the game offers an elaborate multiplayer experience.
- Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition - Lords of the West January 26, 2021
- Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition - Dawn of the Dukes August 10, 2021
- Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition - Dynasties of India April 28, 2022
- Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition - Return of Rome May 16, 2023
- Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition - The Mountain Royals October 31, 2023
- Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition - Victors and Vanquished March 14, 2024
- Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition - Chronicles: Battle for Greece November 14, 2024
Age of Empires: Definitive Edition
Strategy
February 20, 2018
A refreshed version of Age of Empires, a real-time strategy game that debuted in 1997. Microsoft, the company responsible for the new version, focused not only on improving the graphics so that they now support 4K resolution, but on recording a new version of the symphonic soundtrack as well. The title contains the contents of the basic version of the original game and of the Rise of Rome expansion pack. The single player scenarios were expanded with new narrative features. In Age of Empires: Definitive Edition the player is leading civilizations from various regions of the world to war. The gameplay is focused on expanding the base, obtaining resources, recruiting army and participating in dynamic battles. A modernized interface makes controlling the battlefield easier. In addition to single player modes, the title offers multiplayer mode based on Xbox Live.
Age of Empires: Castle Siege
Strategy
May 20, 2015
Age of Empires: Castle Siege is a spin-off of the best-selling Age of Empires series. Castle Siege is a free-to-play game with optional microtransactions. The game was developed by Smoking Gun Interactive, creators of many mobile games and Kinect games for Xbox 360, under the watchful eye of Microsoft. Castle Siege is set in medieval times, and the players can choose one of the few historic factions to play as. The game's mechanics are rather different than those from the regular Age of Empires games. Age of Empires: Castle Siege has two primary gameplay aspects: the economic one, focusing on gathering resources, castle's extensions, and technological development; and the strategic one, which requires the players to attack other strongholds, controlled either by A.I. or other players. Multiplayer, which allows PC and mobile gamers to play together, is the core of the gameplay. However, Smoking Gun Interactive also created a single player mode, in which the players can play out a multiple mission campaign, and single scenarios inspired by famous historic battles.
Age of Empires II: HD Edition
Strategy
April 9, 2013
A remastered version of Age of Empire II: The Age of the Kings, a popular real-time strategy game and its expansion - Age of Empires II: The Conqueror. The new edition was developed by Hidden Path Entertainment in cooperation with Microsoft Game Studios. Compared to the 1999’s original, the changes introduced in Age of Empires II: HD Edition involve mainly improved graphics, which were adjusted to HD standard. The developers remained faithful to the classic gameplay mechanics — the players assume the role of a leader of one of 18 historical nations and control their progress through subsequent centuries. Victory can be achieved in various ways, including military conquest, diplomacy, and economic expansion.
- Age of Empires II HD: The Forgotten November 7, 2013
- Age of Empires II HD: The African Kingdoms November 5, 2015
- Age of Empires II HD: Rise of the Rajas December 19, 2016
Age of Empires Online
Strategy
August 16, 2011
Another installment in the wildly popular strategy game series by Gas Powered Games, dedicated to web-based gameplay. You play as a leader of your chosen nation, and your task is to build your city, gather resources, develop new technologies, create a vast army and conquer new territories. Apart from your nation's capital, you can also visit other metropolises, where you can find not only stores, but also various quests, which you can complete on your own or with other players' help. More experienced player can try the special “Elite” difficulty level. Compared to the other games in the series, the visuals of Age of Empires online are more cartoonish. The game utilizes a free-to-play model, although new civilizations, add-ons and bonus missions cost real-life money. On 1 July 2014 the development of the game has ended and its servers were closed.
Age of Empires: Mythologies
Strategy
November 24, 2008
Another installment in the turn-based strategy game series by Griptonite Games for Nintendo DS. The game utilizes not only the solutions used in Age of Empires: Age of Kings, but also in all of the popular RTS franchise, mostly known for its PC installments. Your task in the game is to lead one of the three available nations: Greeks, Vikings or Egyptians. The gameplay consists on expanding your village, gathering resources and developing new technologies, creating invincible armies (apart from standard units, your army may also include mythical heroes such as Perseus or Ramses, as well as fantastic beasts) and fighting enemies. Age of Empires: Mythologies features both a single player mode and a multiplayer mode for up to 4 players. Compared to the original, the visuals and the enemy AI have been upgraded.
Age of Empires: Zlota Edycja
Strategy
July 19, 2006
A special edition of Age of Empires - the first instalment of the cult series of real-time strategy games, which was supervised by Ensemble Studios team. The player takes on the role of a leader of one of several civilisations, including Egypt, Babylon, Greece, Persia and Phoenicia. The gameplay focuses on expanding the settlement, developing new technologies, leading the nation through successive stages of development (from the Stone Age to the Iron Age) and on fielding the most powerful armies and confronting the enemy forces.
Age of Empires: The Age of Kings
Strategy
February 14, 2006
Turn-based strategy game developed by Digital Eclipse for the Nintendo DS console. Players lead one of five nations (Britons, Franks, Saracens, Mongols and Japanese) to victory in unique campaigns. Gameplay focuses on gathering resources, researching new technologies and forming powerful armies. We can choose from 45 various units, as well as heroes like Richard the Lionheart, Saladin and even Robin Hood. Age of Empires: The Age of Kings makes use of the unique features of the handheld, with main screen showing data about units and other information, as well as fights against enemies, while the bottom screen let us navigate on map and plan our next move. Aside from single player, there is a multiplayer mode for up to four players.
Age of Empires III
Strategy
October 18, 2005
The third major installment in a cult RTS franchise created and developed under the watchful eye of the Microsoft company. Contrary to the previous editions, which were set in ancient and medieval times, this one lets you witness centuries-long conquest of America, spanning from 16th to 19th century. Because of its wider time frame and a setting much closer to modern times, the game lets you command both medieval units, as well as more recent technical advancements. The developers brought back the well-proven mechanics, with an addition of some new elements. Core gameplay is an extensive story campaign depicting a blend of facts and fictional events. In multiplayer you can command one of eight playable nations, each one having its own, unique features. Additionally the game can boast impressive 3D graphics created using the Havok physics engine.
- Age of Empires III: The WarChiefs October 17, 2006
- Age of Empires III: The Asian Dynasties October 23, 2007
Age of Empires: Collector's Edition
Strategy
November 2, 2000
A collector’s edition comprised of several strategy games from the Age of Empires series. The package contains Age of Empires, Age of Empires: Rise of Rome, Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings, and Age of Empires II: The Conquerors. All titles were developed and taken care of by Ensemble Studios. Regardless of the chosen title, the player takes control over one of numerous available civilizations, with a task to conquer its opponents. The gameplay focuses on settlement building, resource gathering, developing new technologies, and fielding powerful armies that are sent to deal with your opponent. We can choose from numerous types of units, including infantry, cavalry, complex siege machines, as well as special units such as priests healing our units and converting enemy forces. Even with all the action at hand, our civilization still needs to develop – we need to keep large stockpiles of each resource to be able to advance to a new age. Each installment contains a number of campaigns based on historical events, and is characteristic for its two-dimensional, hand-drawn graphics.
Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings
Strategy
September 28, 1999
The second installment belonging to an incredibly popular series of real-time strategy games. Age of Empires II: The Age of the Kings was developed by Ensemble Studios. The player assumes command of a civilization chosen (13 in total here) and leads them through subsequent stages of development. For example, one can play as Franks, Mongols, Celts or Vikings. Compared to the first installment, the visuals were improved (more detailed), as was the AI of the player's subordinates - as a result, additional orders can be given to them, such as to patrol the vicinity, to guard a designated spot, or to follow a specific target. Furthermore, an option to group units into various formations was introduced. Apart from that, the player can now trade and manipulate the prices of different resources. Age of Empires II: The Age of the Kings features both single player modes (such as a campaign devoted to a Scottish national hero William Wallace) and a multiplayer variant (PC version only).
- Age of Empires II: The Conquerors August 25, 2000
Age of Empires
Strategy
June 30, 1997
A real time strategy developed by Ensemble Studios. The players take control of one of twelve ancient civilizations, including, among others, Babylon, Egypt, Greece, or Korea, with the task to lead them through four advancement stages spanning across 10 thousand years. The gameplay focuses on building our own settlement (based on four architectonic styles: Asian, Egyptian, Middle Eastern, and Greek), acquiring necessary resources (wood, food, stone, gold), researching new technologies, and recruiting military units. Aside from four story campaigns, Age of Empires includes special scenarios, a skirmish mode with AI-controlled opponents, and a multiplayer mode for up to eight players. The game is characterized by its hand-drawn, 2D graphics.
- Age of Empires: The Rise of Rome January 31, 1998
Age of Empires: World Domination
Strategy
cancelled
A mobile real time strategy game developed by the Singapore-based studio KLab Global using the license of the Microsoft's cult strategy series. In the game, the player takes control of one of the great historical civilizations and his task is to develop its power and lead it to world domination. The player can choose from Celts, Brits, Vikings, Japanese, Chinese, Franks, Saracen, and Huns. Each nation has its own technology tree, buildings, and units, among which there are also legendary historical characters with unique abilities. As in other games of the series, gameplay in Age of Empires: World Domination consists mostly of gathering resources, developing the nation's economy, and participating in battles which, despite being much smaller than in PC installments of the series, offer a significant tactical depth. The game is available for free and based on the free-to-play model with additional microtransactions.
Age of Empires Series News
Age of Empires 2 Celebrates 5th Anniversary of Definitive Edition. Gifts and New, Well-Received DLC About Greece's War with Persia are Waiting
Microsoft is celebrating the fifth birthday of Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition with a bang. Players have been given gifts, and a warmly received DLC has been released, delighting fans with its campaign.
video games
Adrian Werner
November 15, 2024
Three Years After Launch, Age of Empires 4 Prepares for New DLC. 2025 Will Bring Plenty of Content to Popular RTS
Age of Empires 4 is finally getting another DLC, and 2025 is expected to bring a lot of content to this RTS.
video games
Jacob Blazewicz
October 29, 2024
CoH3 Devs Facing Layoffs Once Again. Relic Is Trying to Survive in “Increasingly Volatile Industry”
Following its recent split with Sega, Relic Entertainment has announced more layoffs. This time 41 people have said goodbye to the studio.
video games
Martin Bukowski
April 5, 2024
Age of Empires 4 Received Feature That Will Unite All Players. Quickmatches Got Major Change
A new update to Age of Empires 4 brings plenty of fan-awaited changes and news, including a crossplay feature. The developers gave details on the game's seventh season.
video games
Zuzanna Domeradzka
March 13, 2024
Age of Empires 4: The Sultans Ascend Launches; Largest Expansion in the Series' History
In a few hours, The Sultans Ascend expansion for the popular strategy game Age of Empires 4 will debut on the market. The DLC will offer, among other things, a new campaign and two additional civilizations.
video games
Adrian Werner
November 14, 2023
Age of Empires 2's New DLC Accompanies Update That Will Overhaul One of the Nations
With the debut of The Mountain Royals expansion, a major update is coming to Age of Empires 2 that will rebuild the Persian Empire.
video games
Marcin Przała
October 29, 2023
![Microsoft Spilled Beans on New DLC for Age of Empires 2 With Georgia and Armenia [Update]](https://cdn.gracza.pl/i_gp/h/16/434841101.jpg)
Microsoft Spilled Beans on New DLC for Age of Empires 2 With Georgia and Armenia [Update]
Apparently, a new DLC for Age of Empires 2 is coming. Microsoft's store leaked the DLC's page, revealing with its title, description and price.
video games
Zuzanna Domeradzka
October 16, 2023
Age of Empires 4 DLC Release Date and Trailer; Biggest Expansion So Far
We have learned the release date for the upcoming Age of Empires IV expansion. Other details about The Sultans Ascend have also been revealed.
video games
Zuzanna Domeradzka
September 20, 2023
Age of Empires 4 Players Can Expect 'Biggest Expansion Ever'
A major expansion, The Sultans Ascend, for the historical RTS Age of Empires IV, was announced during gamescom.
video games
Adrian Werner
August 24, 2023
Age of Empires 4 Unexpectedly Debuts on Xbox
During gamescom Opening Night Live 2023, Microsoft surprised gamers by releasing a console version of Age of Empires IV.
video games
Hubert Sledziewski
August 22, 2023