Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition
{{short description|2019 real-time strategy video game}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2020}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition
| image = Age of Empires II Definitive Edition cover art.jpeg
| image_size = 260px
| caption =
| developer = {{Unbulleted list|World's Edge|Forgotten Empires{{efn|Additional work by Tantalus Media and Wicked Witch}}}}
| publisher = Xbox Game Studios
| artist =
| series = Age of Empires
| released = {{ubl|Windows|November 14, 2019|Xbox One, Series X/S|January 31, 2023|PlayStation 5|May 6, 2025}}
| genre = Real-time strategy
| modes = Single-player, multiplayer
| platforms = {{ubl|Windows|Xbox One|Xbox Series X/S|PlayStation 5}}
}}
Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition is a 2019 real-time strategy video game developed by World's Edge and Forgotten Empires and published by Xbox Game Studios. It is a remaster of the 1999 game Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings, celebrating the 20th anniversary of the original. It features significantly improved visuals, supports 4K resolution, and includes all previous expansions from the original and HD Edition. In addition, the game includes The Last Khans, an expansion that adds four new civilizations based on Central Asia and Eastern Europe, as well as four new campaigns. Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition was released for Windows on November 14, 2019, and was ported to Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S on January 31, 2023. A PlayStation 5 version will be released on May 6, 2025.{{cite web |date=10 April 2025 |title=Pre-order Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition on PlayStation 5! |url=https://www.ageofempires.com/news/pre-order-age-of-empires-ii-definitive-edition-on-playstation-5/ |website=www.ageofempires.com}}
Gameplay
File:Age of Empires II Definitive Edition gameplay.jpg
The core gameplay elements are shared heavily with the original. The remaster includes 4K graphics, improved visuals for troops and buildings, the ability to zoom in and further out, and a new spectator mode. It features a new expansion called The Last Khans and includes four new civilizations: Bulgarians, Cumans, Lithuanians and Tatars. Four new campaigns were added for the new civilizations: Ivaylo, Kotyan Khan, Tamerlane and Pachacuti which is about the Inca civilization and replaces El Dorado from the HD Edition (Lithuanians do not appear as a playable civilization in any campaign; however, they represent Poles in the Ivaylo campaign). It includes all previous expansions from the original (The Conquerors) and HD edition (The Forgotten, The African Kingdoms, Rise of the Rajas).
Players can choose between the original AI, the updated HD Edition AI that was added alongside the HD Edition of the game, and a newer AI developed for the Definitive Edition.{{cite web|url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/age-of-empires-2-definitive-edition/review|title=Age of Empires 2: Definitive Edition review – reverent treatment|website=pcgamesn.com|last=White|first=Sam|date=12 November 2019|access-date=10 March 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191112141758/https://www.pcgamesn.com/age-of-empires-2-definitive-edition/review |archive-date=November 12, 2019 }} When the old and new AIs were pitted against each other in a test, the new one easily defeated the old one. Unit pathfinding is also supposedly improved upon. Players can shift-queue villager tasks.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bgr.in/reviews/age-of-empires-ii-definitive-edition-review-reliving-the-past-in-glorious-4k-859536/|title=Age of Empires II Definitive Edition Review: Price in India and review|first=Bodhisatwa|last=Ray|date=November 21, 2019|website=BGR India|access-date=December 20, 2019|archive-date=December 20, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191220081524/https://www.bgr.in/reviews/age-of-empires-ii-definitive-edition-review-reliving-the-past-in-glorious-4k-859536/|url-status=dead}} Farms now have the option to be replenished automatically.{{Cite web|url=https://www.hardcoregamer.com/2019/12/12/review-age-of-empires-ii-definitive-edition/363375/|title=Review: Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition|date=December 12, 2019|website=Hardcore Gamer|access-date=December 20, 2019|archive-date=December 14, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191214041818/https://www.hardcoregamer.com/2019/12/12/review-age-of-empires-ii-definitive-edition/363375/|url-status=live}}
Development
Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings was developed by Ensemble Studios and released in 1999. Ensemble Studios was acquired by Microsoft in 2001 and ultimately shuttered in 2009, just after their final project, Halo Wars, was finished.{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/2715282.html |title=Microsoft to acquire Ensemble Studios |work=GameSpot |access-date=May 3, 2001 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090214185016/http://www.gamespot.com/news/2715282.html |archive-date=February 14, 2009 |df=mdy }}{{cite web|last=Robinson|first=Martin|date=January 30, 2009|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2009/01/30/ensemble-studios-shuttered|title=Ensemble Studios Shuttered|website=IGN|access-date=June 11, 2024|archive-date=September 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220925181534/https://www.ign.com/articles/2009/01/30/ensemble-studios-shuttered|url-status=live}} Hidden Path Entertainment developed a high-definition remaster of Age of Empires II, HD Edition, which released in 2013. Among other features, HD Edition added Steam Workshop integration for custom content.{{cite web | url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/age-of-empires-ii-hd-arriving-april-9/1100-6404962/ | title=Age of Empires II HD arriving April 9 | access-date=June 11, 2024 | archive-date=May 17, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220517075846/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/age-of-empires-ii-hd-arriving-april-9/1100-6404962/ | url-status=live }} Concurrently, a group of modders had been developing additional content and bug fixes for the original game, called Forgotten Empires. Approaching Microsoft after the mod's release in late 2012, they learned that Microsoft was developing HD Edition and had expressed interest in turning their mod into an official release.{{cite web | url=https://www.forgottenempires.net/age-of-empires-2-hd-the-forgotten/the-story-so-far | title=The Story so Far... - Forgotten Empires | access-date=June 11, 2024 | archive-date=June 11, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240611225232/https://www.forgottenempires.net/age-of-empires-2-hd-the-forgotten/the-story-so-far | url-status=live }} Their efforts became the first expansion for HD Edition, "The Forgotten", developed in conjunction with Skybox Labs.{{cite web | url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/age-of-empires-2-hd-gets-new-expansion-pack/1100-6416048/ | title=Age of Empires 2 HD gets new expansion pack | access-date=June 11, 2024 | archive-date=June 11, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240611225232/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/age-of-empires-2-hd-gets-new-expansion-pack/1100-6416048/ | url-status=live }}{{cite web | url=https://www.pcgamer.com/after-14-years-an-aoe2-fan-mod-becomes-an-official-expansion/ | title=After 14 years, an Age of Empires 2 fan mod becomes an official expansion | website=PC Gamer | date=August 19, 2013 | last1=Williams | first1=Katie | access-date=June 11, 2024 | archive-date=February 25, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240225051239/https://www.pcgamer.com/after-14-years-an-aoe2-fan-mod-becomes-an-official-expansion/ | url-status=live }} The mod team, now Forgotten Empires LLC, continued to collaborate with Microsoft on new expansions for HD Edition.{{Cite web |last=Mashiur |first=Zoheb |date=2017-01-05 |title=Age of Empires 2: Evergreen, not Forgotten |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/shout/overclock/age-empires-2-evergreen-not-forgotten-1340374 |access-date=2024-02-25 |website=The Daily Star |language=en |archive-date=August 20, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180820105704/https://www.thedailystar.net/shout/overclock/age-empires-2-evergreen-not-forgotten-1340374 |url-status=live }}{{cite web | url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/age-of-empires-2-forgotten-empires | title=How a Mod Team Helped Age of Empires 2 Thrive | work=Rock, Paper, Shotgun | date=December 28, 2015 | first=Richard | last=Moss | access-date=June 11, 2024 | archive-date=May 21, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240521202935/https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/age-of-empires-2-forgotten-empires | url-status=live }}
Release
File:Adam Isgreen and Bert Beeckman.png]]
On August 21, 2017, at Gamescom, Microsoft announced Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition was in development by Forgotten Empires, Tantalus Media and Wicked Witch Software. On June 9, 2019, Microsoft revealed the gameplay trailer at Xbox E3 2019. It released on the Xbox Game Pass for PC in addition to Steam and the Windows Store on November 14, 2019. A port to the Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S was announced during the 25th anniversary livestream on October 25, 2022, and was released on January 31, 2023.{{cite web|url=https://www.gematsu.com/2022/10/age-of-empires-ii-definitive-edition-coming-to-xbox-series-and-xbox-one-on-january-31-2023-age-of-empires-iv-in-2023|title=Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition coming to Xbox Series and Xbox One on January 31, 2023; Age of Empires IV in 2023|first=Sal|last=Romano|website=Gematsu|date=October 25, 2022|access-date=October 25, 2022|archive-date=October 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221025181653/https://www.gematsu.com/2022/10/age-of-empires-ii-definitive-edition-coming-to-xbox-series-and-xbox-one-on-january-31-2023-age-of-empires-iv-in-2023|url-status=live}} The console version features both gamepad and mouse and keyboard controls, and optional cross-platform play with PC version.
On February 4, 2025, Microsoft and Forgotten Empires announced that Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition would release for PlayStation 5 in Spring 2025, being preceded by the launch of Age of Mythology: Retold on the console in March 2024.{{Cite web |last=Shakir |first=Umar |date=2025-02-04 |title=Age of Empires is the latest Microsoft franchise coming to PS5 |url=https://www.theverge.com/news/606102/xbox-ps5-age-of-empires |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=The Verge |language=en-US}} Definitive Edition
= Expansions =
An expansion pack, Lords of the West, was announced on December 15, 2020, and released on January 26, 2021. The Lords of the West expansion introduced two further civilizations, the Burgundians and the Sicilians, as well as three new campaigns, featuring Edward Longshanks, the Dukes of Burgundy, and the Hautevilles.{{cite web|title=Pre-Order Age of Empires II: DE – Lords of the West, coming January 26th!|url=https://www.ageofempires.com/news/pre-order-lords-of-the-west/|publisher=Forgotten Empires|language=lithuanian|date=December 15, 2020|access-date=December 20, 2020|archive-date=January 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220107080710/https://www.ageofempires.com/news/pre-order-lords-of-the-west/|url-status=live}}
A second expansion, Dawn of the Dukes, was announced on April 10, 2021, and released on August 10. It introduced two Central European civilizations, the Poles, and the Bohemians, with the Lithuanians being the subject of a campaign, as well as three new campaigns, featuring Jadwiga, Jan Žižka, and Algirdas and Kęstutis.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5OJ14RVFDGQ |title=Age of Empires: Fan Preview |publisher=Xbox |via=YouTube |date=2021-04-10 |access-date=2021-04-10 |archive-date=April 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410165047/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5OJ14RVFDGQ |url-status=live }}
In June 2021, for the first time since Age of Empires Online, co-op campaigns were introduced into the game.{{cite web |url=https://www.ageofempires.com/news/aoe2de-pupcoop/ |title=Co-Op has Arrived in June's Public Update Preview! |date=2021-06-15 |author=Age DE Team |access-date=2021-12-28 |archive-date=December 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211228193005/https://www.ageofempires.com/news/aoe2de-pupcoop/ |url-status=live }}
A third expansion, Dynasties of India, was announced on April 14, 2022, and was released on April 28. It features three new civilizations, the Bengalis, the Dravidians, and the Gurjaras. Additionally, the expansion also features reworks to the existing Indian civilization, which was renamed the Hindustani. Three new campaigns, featuring Babur, Rajendra, and Devapala, were also introduced.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LlI2i2lgW3Q |title=Age Of Empires II: Definitive Edition - Dynasties Of India Trailer |publisher=Age of Empires |via=YouTube |date=2022-04-14 |access-date=2022-04-14 |archive-date=April 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220416083304/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LlI2i2lgW3Q |url-status=live }}
To celebrate the franchise's 25th anniversary a fourth expansion was announced, Return of Rome. It is composed of content from Age of Empires: Definitive Edition brought into the Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition engine, plus one new civilization (the Lạc Việt) and three new campaigns (featuring Sargon of Akkad, Pyrrhus of Epirus, and Trajan), and the Roman civilization for the main game.{{cite web|url=https://www.ageofempires.com/news/icymi-broadcast-blog/|title=Age of Empires 25th Anniversary Broadcast – the Rundown|first=Michael|last=Mann|date=October 25, 2022|access-date=October 29, 2022|archive-date=October 29, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221029190541/https://www.ageofempires.com/news/icymi-broadcast-blog/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web |last=Partis |first=Danielle |date=2023-05-15 |title=The Return of Rome Expansion Turns Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition Into The Game From Your Nostalgic Memories |url=https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2023/05/15/age-of-empires-ii-return-of-rome/ |access-date=2023-05-22 |website=Xbox Wire |language=en-US |archive-date=May 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230522115938/https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2023/05/15/age-of-empires-ii-return-of-rome/ |url-status=live }} It was released on May 16, 2023.{{cite web |url=https://www.ageofempires.com/news/return-of-rome-everything-you-need-to-know/ |title=Return of Rome: Everything You Need to Know |publisher=Age of Empires |date=5 May 2023 |access-date=October 3, 2023 |archive-date=October 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231016184736/https://www.ageofempires.com/news/return-of-rome-everything-you-need-to-know// |url-status=live }} On 8 September 2023, two campaigns (Ascent of Egypt and The First Punic War) from Age of Empires: Definitive Edition were added to Return of Rome.{{cite web |url=https://www.ageofempires.com/news/additional-campaigns-come-to-return-of-rome/ |title=Additional Campaigns Come to Return of Rome! |publisher=Age of Empires |date=8 September 2023 |access-date=October 3, 2023 |archive-date=September 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230923171335/https://www.ageofempires.com/news/additional-campaigns-come-to-return-of-rome/ |url-status=live }} Two other campaigns for Return of Rome, Glory of Greece and Voices of Babylon, were added on October 31.{{cite web |url=https://www.ageofempires.com/news/preview-age-of-empires-ii-definitive-edition-update-95810/ |title=Preview: Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition – Update 95810 |publisher=Age of Empires |date=30 October 2023 |access-date=October 30, 2023 |archive-date=October 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231030233102/https://www.ageofempires.com/news/preview-age-of-empires-ii-definitive-edition-update-95810/ |url-status=live }}
A fifth expansion, The Mountain Royals, was announced on October 16, 2023, and released on October 31. It introduces two new civilizations, the Georgians and the Armenians, as well as three new campaigns, featuring Tamar, Thoros the Great, and Ismail.{{cite web |url=https://www.ageofempires.com/news/pre-order-aoe-ii-de-the-mountain-royals/ |title=Pre-Order Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition – The Mountain Royals! |publisher=Age of Empires |date=16 October 2023 |access-date=October 20, 2023 |archive-date=October 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231020150536/https://www.ageofempires.com/news/pre-order-aoe-ii-de-the-mountain-royals/ |url-status=live }}
A story expansion, Victors and Vanquished, was announced on February 23, 2024, and released on March 14. It adds 19 scenarios by modder Ramsey Abdulrahim; 14 are remakes of his previous works, with five being new.{{Cite web |last=Tolbert |first=Samuel |date=23 February 2024 |title=Age of Empires 2: Definitive Edition gets new campaign-focused Victors and Vanquished DLC for Xbox consoles and Windows PC |url=https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/age-of-empires-2-definitive-edition-gets-new-campaign-focused-victors-and-vanquished-dlc-for-xbox-consoles-and-windows-pc |access-date=23 February 2024 |website=Windows Central |language=en |archive-date=February 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240224005153/https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/age-of-empires-2-definitive-edition-gets-new-campaign-focused-victors-and-vanquished-dlc-for-xbox-consoles-and-windows-pc |url-status=live }}{{cite web|last=Purdy|first=Kevin|date=February 26, 2024|url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2024/02/age-of-empires-2-gets-another-expansion-25-years-later-and-deservedly-so/|title=Age of Empires 2 gets another expansion 25 years later, and deservedly so|website=Ars Technica|access-date=February 27, 2024|archive-date=February 27, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240227001933/https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2024/02/age-of-empires-2-gets-another-expansion-25-years-later-and-deservedly-so/|url-status=live}}
In October 2024, a new expansion titled Chronicles: Battle for Greece was announced, featuring three ancient civilizations: Achaemenids, Athenians, and Spartans. It released on 14 November that year.{{cite web |last=Rossi |first=José V. |url=https://gamerant.com/age-of-empires-2-definitive-edition-announces-new-dlc-chronicles-battle-for-greece/ |title=Age of Empires 2: Definitive Edition Getting New DLC |publisher=Game Rant |date=18 October 2024 |access-date=November 16, 2024 |archive-date=November 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241122192758/https://gamerant.com/age-of-empires-2-definitive-edition-announces-new-dlc-chronicles-battle-for-greece/ |url-status=live }}
In March 2025, an eighth expansion was announced, set to be released in April of the same year.{{Cite web |date=2025-03-11 |title=A Sneak Peek at New Content Coming to Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition - Age of Empires - World's Edge Studio |url=https://www.ageofempires.com/news/a-sneak-peek-at-new-content-coming-to-age-of-empires-ii-definitive-edition/ |access-date=2025-04-01 |website=www.ageofempires.com |language=en-US}} The Three Kingdoms expansion, inspired by the historical era of the same title, introduced five new civilizations: Shu, Wei, Wu, Jurchens and Khitans, and three new campaigns centered on Liu Bei, Cao Cao and The Sun Clan. Along with the expansion pack, a forthcoming update has been announced, emphasizing technical refinements and the introduction of new features. Moreover, a new scenario centered on Xie An will be incorporated into Victors and Vanquished. It will be released on May 6 this year.{{cite web |date=10 April 2025 |title=Pre-Order Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition – The Three Kingdoms |url=https://www.ageofempires.com/news/pre-order-age-of-empires-ii-definitive-edition-the-three-kingdoms/ |website=www.ageofempires.com}}
Reception
{{Video game reviews
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Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition received "generally favorable" reviews according to review aggregator Metacritic with a score of 84/100 from 32 reviews. Windows Central{{'}}s Cale Hunt praised the improved artwork, animations and quality of life additions but criticized the AI path finding and pointed out a need for further balancing.
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Notes
{{notelist}}
References
{{Reflist|refs=
{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/age-of-empires-2-and-3-remasters-announced/1100-6452723/|title=Age Of Empires 2 And 3 Remasters Announced|last=Knezevic|first=Kevin|date=August 21, 2017|website=GameSpot|publisher=CBS Interactive|accessdate=September 6, 2017|archive-date=July 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180726104041/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/age-of-empires-2-and-3-remasters-announced/1100-6452723/|url-status=live}}
{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/age-of-empires-ii-definitive-edition/critic-reviews/?platform=pc|title=Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition for PC Reviews|website=Metacritic|language=en|access-date=March 10, 2020|archive-date=November 16, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191116145843/https://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/age-of-empires-ii-definitive-edition|url-status=live}}
}}
External links
{{Commonscatinline}}
{{Age of Empires series}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Age of Empires 2 Definitive Edition}}
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