Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition

Developer: World's Edge
Release: Nov 14th 2019
Platforms:
Strategy
Addictive
Balanced
Nostalgic
Content-rich
Pathfinding
Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition Poster

" Classic strategy RTS with massive content and mod support but persistent pathfinding issues "

Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition Review

Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition is widely celebrated as a timeless classic and one of the best real-time strategy (RTS) games ever made. Players appreciate its rich historical content, balanced gameplay mechanics, and extensive campaigns that offer hundreds of hours of entertainment. The Definitive Edition enhances the original with 4K remastered graphics, improved audio, and quality of life improvements such as updated hotkeys and better UI elements. It also includes all prior expansions plus new civilizations and campaigns, effectively doubling the content.

Despite its strengths, some players express frustration with pathfinding issues, occasional multiplayer instability, and the impact of recent DLCs perceived as pay-to-win or diluting the original game's spirit. The community is noted as passionate but sometimes toxic, and newcomers may face a steep learning curve. Overall, the game remains highly recommended for both nostalgic fans and new players seeking a deep, strategic RTS experience with ongoing developer support and active multiplayer.

Highlights

Players praise the classic and balanced RTS gameplay that remains engaging decades after release. The remastered 4K graphics and updated soundtrack significantly enhance immersion without losing the original's charm. The massive amount of content—including numerous civilizations, campaigns, and historical battles—provides extensive replayability. Quality of life features like improved hotkeys, camera zoom, and server-based multiplayer improve accessibility. The game also benefits from a dedicated and active community, continuous updates, and mod support, keeping the experience fresh and relevant.

Criticisms

Common criticisms focus on pathfinding problems where units get stuck or behave unpredictably, affecting gameplay precision. Multiplayer can be unstable at times with connection issues and player dropouts, especially in ranked matches. Some players feel the recent DLCs introduce overpowered civilizations and stray from the original game's balance, leading to pay-to-win concerns. Additionally, the game’s optimization is not ideal on lower-end PCs, and the community is sometimes described as toxic and unwelcoming, which may deter new players. The lack of robust in-game rewards and penalties for quitting also frustrates some users.

Pros

  • Classic RTS gameplay that remains balanced and engaging after decades.
  • Stunning 4K remastered graphics and updated soundtrack enhance immersion.
  • Massive content including 35+ civilizations and numerous campaigns.
  • Quality of life improvements like hotkey customization and camera zoom.
  • Server-based multiplayer with active community and regular updates.
  • Extensive mod support allows for customization and fresh experiences.
  • Campaigns provide rich historical context and varied strategic challenges.

Cons

  • Persistent pathfinding issues cause units to get stuck or behave oddly.
  • Multiplayer suffers from occasional connection problems and player dropouts.
  • Recent DLCs perceived as pay-to-win and unbalanced by some players.
  • Optimization issues on low-end PCs frustrate players with weaker hardware.
  • Toxic online community can be discouraging for new or casual players.
  • Lack of significant in-game rewards and penalties for quitting matches.
  • Some campaigns and AI difficulty scaling feel inconsistent or unrefined.

Rating Criteria

Story
Difficulty
Graphics
Duration
Stability
Worth the Price
Capsule image

42 Civilizations, 229 Campaign Missions, Singleplayer, Co-Op, Multiplayer, In-Game Editor, Mods, Cross-play...It is good to be the king.

Release Date Nov 14th 2019
Publisher Xbox Game Studios
Developer World's Edge, Forgotten Empires, Tantalus Media, Wicked Witch, CaptureAge, World's Edge
Platforms

User Reviews

Very Positive (55,226)
95% Positive 5% Negative

Online Reviews

Metacritic logo
Metacritic
84