Welcome to the first of my new review format! One I have designed to be easier to write and a lot easier to consume and read for you, my favorite person in the world, the reader of Strategy and Wargaming. This is going to work almost as a ScoreCard, touching on very specific important points, straight to the point, and easy to click into, see what interests you, and decide if you like it or not. I hope you enjoy!

Game Overview

Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition revitalizes the classic real-time strategy game that has been the gold standard for historical RTS titles with stunning 4K graphics, a remastered soundtrack, and all previously released expansions, including “Lords of the West”, “Dynasties of India”, and “Dawn of the Dukes”. This review explores the gameplay, performance, and overall value of this definitive version, a must-play for both veteran RTS fans and new players.

• Genre: Real-Time Strategy (RTS) | Historical
• Developer: World’s Edge, Forgotten Empires, Tantalus Media, Wicked Witch, CaptureAge
• Publisher: Xbox Game Studios
• Price: $34.99 | 32,99€ | £25.99
• Release Date: 14 November, 2019
• Reviewer: Nuno Marques (PC)
• Final Score: 9.5/10

Review & Score Breakdown

1. Core Gameplay & Mechanics – Score: 10/10

The game’s flow is a masterclass in RTS design, balancing economic management, military strategy, and tactical combat. Matches can be long, but the constant need for adaptation keeps the pace engaging, and the number of choices at your disposal is unending. The time period and the sheer variety of civilizations, units, and strategies ensure a high fun factor. It’s a deeply satisfying experience to build an empire from scratch and constantly engage in the real-time strategy combat of the game. The controls are intuitive and highly refined for an RTS game. The “Definitive Edition” adds quality-of-life improvements like smart villagers and farm queuing, making the core experience smoother than ever. Has some of the sharpest control ever seen in an RTS.

2. Graphics & Art Style – Score: 9.5/10

The 4K graphics and new art assets are a significant upgrade, bringing new life to the classic buildings and units. The animations are fluid, and the environmental details are better than ever. The medieval art style is iconic and timeless. The new visuals stay true to the original’s aesthetic while providing a crisp, modern feel. The unit and building designs are instantly recognizable, and the new visual flair enhances their distinct identities. I personally miss some of the more colorful design decisions of the original.

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3. Sound & Music – Score: 10/10

The remastered soundtrack is a masterpiece. The iconic score is more epic and cinematic, perfectly setting the tone for each era and battle. The sounds of battle, unit commands, and building construction are all distinct and nostalgic. The “Definitive Edition” improves their clarity without losing their classic feel. While not a heavily voice-acted game, the unit barks and advisor cues are well-executed and remain as memorable as ever.

4. Singleplayer and Multiplayer Content – Score: 8/10

The historical campaigns are well-researched and presented, offering a compelling narrative experience. They serve as excellent tutorials and provide a decent dive into real-world history. Mission quality varies widely between epic and exciting, to dull and uninspired. The best multiplayer experience on the RTS market right now, with the most active scene in existence. Very competitive multiplayer scene, with plenty of tournaments and competitions.

5. Technical Performance – Score: 8/10

The game runs smoothly on modern hardware, but some larger-scale matches can still cause performance dips, especially with many players.  Loading times are quick, especially compared to the original, thanks to modern optimizations. The “Definitive Edition” has improved stability, but minor pathfinding issues or rare crashes can still occur. These are not common enough to be game-breaking, but just be aware that they exist.

6. Replayability & Value – Score: 10/10

Even without all the expansions included, a vast number of civilizations, and countless campaign missions, the game offers thousands of hours of content. I have been playing it for 20 years and have yet to be bored with it. The online multiplayer scene is incredibly active, and the game’s endless custom game possibilities and mod support ensure infinite replayability.

7. Monetization & Business Model – Score: 10/10

The game is a one-time, premium purchase with an upfront cost that gives you everything that was on the original game, plus 3 of the recent expansions. While the original game has expansions, they are included in the base “Definitive Edition” purchase, representing excellent value, and new, substantial DLC is constantly coming out. There are no in-game purchases for cosmetics.

Final Verdict & Score

9.5/10

Summary: It’s no secret that Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition is one of my favorite games of all time, and certainly my favorite real-time strategy (RTS) game ever made. Having played every single edition of the title, the Definitive Edition is a superb remake that breathes new life into a strategic masterpiece. It successfully remasters the classic formula without sacrificing its charm, offering an immense amount of content and a nearly flawless gameplay experience. It’s a testament to the original’s brilliant design and a must-have for anyone interested in the RTS genre.

• Recommended: Yes, of course!
• Target Audience: Real-Time Strategy fans, history buffs, and PC gamers looking for a deep and rewarding RTS experience.

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