Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition

Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition

Steam
In stock
Digital download
17 users on this page
20€
-72%
5.57€

About

Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition for PC is the twentieth anniversary re-release of the real time strategy game which retains all the charm and popularity of the original release, but combines it with twenty years’ worth of improvements to the gaming world: ultra-high definition graphics, vastly improved gameplay and visuals and four new civilisations as well as a new single-player campaign called The Last Khans. About the Game The major change in the programming can be found in a cu...
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Recent Steam reviews:
Very positive (1572)
All Steam reviews:
Very positive (124330)

Editions

Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition

Definitive Edition

  • Age of Empires II 4K Ultra HD graphics
  • 4 New Civilisations
  • -3 more
    more in description...
20€
-72%
5.57€
Age of Empires II HD Edition

HD Edition

  • Age of Empires II HD edition
  • -4 more
    more in description...
20€
-10%
17.99€

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Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition - Victors and Vanquished

Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition - Victors and Vanquished

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12.99€ 8.99€
Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition - The Mountain Royals

Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition - The Mountain Royals

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14.99€ 10.99€
Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition - Return of Rome

Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition - Return of Rome

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14.99€ 12.39€
Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition - Dawn of the Dukes

Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition - Dawn of the Dukes

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9.99€ 4.38€
Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition - Lords of the West

Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition - Lords of the West

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9.99€ 3.39€
Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition - Dynasties of India

Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition - Dynasties of India

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Visuals

Description

Definitive Edition includes

- Age of Empires II 4K Ultra HD graphics
- 4 New Civilisations
Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition for PC is the twentieth anniversary re-release of the real time strategy game which retains all the charm and popularity of the original release, but combines it with twenty years’ worth of improvements to the gaming world: ultra-high definition graphics, vastly improved gameplay and visuals and four new civilisations as well as a new single-player campaign called The Last Khans.

About the Game


The major change in the programming can be found in a curious choice that players must make early in the game: whether or not to opt for the old AI as an opponent or to go for the new AI, an updated version designed specifically for the Definitive Edition release.

You may think that there should not be any real difference between the two, but the old AI was built literal generations ago when it comes to video gaming advances, and it actually needed to cheat in order to win! This was no doubt frustrating – and may still be so should you choose this option!

The new AI is sophisticated enough and has enough computing power not to need to cheat, which means that if the player is defeated, it is at least an honest win on the part of the CPU! However, a little caveat: when the two types of AI were played against each other, the new one easily defeated the old, so perhaps a canny player with ingenuity – and some luck – can beat the old system more easily than the new! The only way to find out is to try it both ways.

A few systems have been tweaked to make the game more streamlined, such as being able to leave villagers in charge of farms – so there is no longer any need to return every season and tell them what to do, your farms will just replenish themselves at a steady rate. Pathfinding and managing large armies is also improved, with intuitive pathfinding coming into its own, so you can march along without any headaches while expanding your empire.

Four New Civilisations


The four new civilisations mentioned above are as follows:

  • Bulgarians: These warlike cavalry-based soldiers advanced on the Danube valley in the 7th century, bringing with them not just domesticated horses, but stirrups that potentially changed the face of war in ancient Europe. Build forts, advance through passes, fend off invaders and attackers and take great pride in your Konnik warriors who fight first on horseback, and then on foot, and very probably from the ground as they take their dying breaths.

  • Cumans: Nomadic tribes whose animal husbandry in the inhospitable reaches of the coldest steppes made them both feared and admired throughout the region, the fearsome, horse-back riding troops can be deployed against nearby cities to gain loot, power and territory, or they can be hired out as mercenaries to the highest bidder, fighting bloody battles to the death and boosting the reputation of anyone who has them under their command!

  • Lithuanians: Band together the shy and secretive Baltic peoples who live in the swampy and dangerous lands into a fearsome and impressive army, under the name of the largest Duchy to be seen in late medieval Europe. Individually imposing, an army of these warlike people is a sight to cause even the bravest kings to quail!

  • Tatars: Fly across the plains of central Asia and Mongolia with your Great Khan as leader, riding horses as easily as walking on your own feet, wearing arrow proof armour made, almost magically, from smooth silk, attacking, retreating and advancing with a speed and mobility that modern armies would genuinely envy, against enemies who are unprepared and disbelieving of the Tatar skills in combat.

  • Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition for PC is available for purchase on Instant Gaming for a fraction of its retail price. You will receive an official key and be able to play the game in seconds. Play smart. Pay less.

    Configurations

    minimum*

    • OS: Windows 10 64bit
    • Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo or AMD Athlon 64x2 5600+
    • Memory: 4 GB RAM
    • Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GT 420 or ATI Radeon HD 6850 or Intel HD Graphics 4000 or better with 2 GB VRAM
    • DirectX: Version 11
    • Network: Broadband Internet connection
    • Storage: 15 GB available space
    • Additional Notes: 2GB of video memory + 4GB of system memory required

    Age of Empires franchise

    Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition
    -61%
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    Release date: 2021
    15.71€
    Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition
    -78%
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    Release date: 2020
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    Age of Empires: Definitive Edition
    -83%
    Age of Empires: Definitive Edition
    Release date: 2019
    3.34€
    Age of Empires III Complete Collection
    -41%
    Age of Empires III Complete Collection
    Release date: 2009
    21.99€

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    Reviews

    10
    Game review score based on 108 reviews

    Recent reviews

    Even after more than 20 years the game is still THE rts-gem. The DLCs are very nice too. Costly over the years, but I will still buy every single one. It´s no problem if keeping up with the very competetive PvP is too stressfull for you, PvE is always thriving, the singleplayer campaigns are gold and can in part even be played with your buddies - those without the official means to do so have respective mods available. I have spent several hundered hours in this game, in PvE, PvP, campaign and Coop, and there are still tons of content i havent seen yet.
    • Premium PvE / Campaigns
    • Living comminity / mods / ranked
    • Constantly updated
    • even in unranked PvP is very sweaty
    • why are you still reading ? play already xD
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    Age of Empires III is an absolutely classic game. Lots of mileage for your money! Still runs perfect despite being an older game! Highly recommend. Still holds up as a great RTS. Also lets you feel some sense of progress as you upgrade your city between fights.
    • Achievements
    • RTS Action
    • Graphics
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    I've been playing Age of Empires II for a few years now and I have to say that it is one of my favorite strategy games. The game mechanics are incredibly well-executed and the graphics are incredibly impressive for a game of this type. The game is also incredibly expansive and allows for very strategic warfare and resource management. The game also has great AI opponents to play against and a very active online community.

    That being said, there are a few cons to the game. It can be a bit too complicated for some players and the online matchmaking system can be a bit inconsistent. Additionally, the single-player campaign can feel a bit too easy and repetitive at times.

    Overall, though, Age of Empires II is an incredibly well-crafted game that offers a great experience. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a great strategy game.
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    In short, if you play through only the campaigns it is about 200 hours of content. The well-done game has a thriving community.

    If you liked AOE 2 as a kid, or just like RTS games where you need macro and micro.

    It is a good game.

    VERY high hours per dollar spent for this game.

    The game still receives updates and is played by more players than AOE 3 and 4..........

    GFX looks nice and preserved the art style.

    Games run a 2+decade engine so the only single core is used, in big battles having PC with strong single core performance is advised.

    Yeah AOE 2 from 1999, DE is the second remaster.
    • The game and the price
    • Has many sponsored trounies for the pros
    • Extreme amount of content to price ratio..
    • Many player have high skill ceiling,hard to start if you want to play MP in serious competitive manner
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    Fantastic remaster, except for the suicidal monks who randomly wonder off into the middle of the battlefield because you can't command them to 'Hold Position'. Allso, 'break formation' should be an option when you want to fall back with your troops. The way it's allways been, your units will sometimes move TOWARDS the enemy just to get into formation during retreat. You allso should be able to decide which units end up where in the formations. Would make tactics more interesting, especially for multi player

    And the soundtracks are all remixes of the original soundtracks that I loved. I would much prefer that the original soundtracks could be selected for in the audio settings.
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    The game is wonderful and addictive, for those who like and seek RTS games I suggest you buy this masterpiece because it is very well developed, has a very rich community and especially fun with friends!
    • Graphics
    • Interface
    • Languages
    • Complete Content
    • Sound
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    This game is a classic, there is not enough brain cells in my brain to understand how perfect the game design is, only the time, the people, and the stories people tell about the game is enough to cover my statement
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    Seems you forgot there supposed to be multiplayer option. Little bit a scam.

    The game itself is nice and nostalgic, Only the reason i bought this was to play with my friends who has legit version of this game.
    • single player works
    • not all game functions
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    the game is very good is reminds me old days when i used to play as a kid. Trade was fast and safe i recommend. This game has a very competitive scene and is better than age of empires iii de edition.
    • good game
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    This game is my all time favorite strategy game. Mostly because of nostalgia but also because it really is a great game. There are alot to master and it is a real challange to win over other players.

    It has many positive points anv few negative. Most of the negative points depends on prefrence.
    • Simple to learn
    • Hard to master
    • Many Civilisations
    • Events still going on
    • single player campaigns
    • Hard to master
    • Repetitive
    • Old game
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    This Game is AMAZING, I normally don't play strategy games but I heard a lot good thing from my friend, so I decided to try it myself. And I have to say I LOVE IT, I don't know where or when the time flys by, so addictive. The how to play explains the game play so well. I would give it 100 points but the game closes on me without a warning (thank the Gods it automatically saves) and it's annoying after some time especially in war stage.

    I hope the review was helpful. :D
    • Easy to learn .
    • It very fun to play.
    • It is closing without a warning.
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    Nostalgie kann manchmal ein echtes Miststück sein. Kaum war die HD-Neuauflage von Age of Empires 2 angekündigt - einem meiner liebsten Echtzeitstrategiespiele -, hatte ich es auch schon auf Steam vorbestellt. Ich konnte einfach nicht widerstehen und wollte diesen absoluten Klassiker, der mich damals monatelang beschäftigt hat, einfach unbedingt noch mal haben. Auch um der alten Zeiten willen, denn wenn es schon kein richtiges neues Age of Empires gibt, muss man sich eben damit begnügen. Und es kam so, wie es kommen musste: Nach wenigen Minuten stellte sich wieder dieses vertraute Spielgefühl ein, dieses alte Flair war wieder da. Wie alles funktionierte, steckt noch irgendwo im Hinterkopf und kommt schnell wieder zum Vorschein.

    Spielerisch hat Age of Empires 2 in all den Jahren nichts von seiner Faszination eingebüßt und macht auch heute noch eine Menge Spaß. Ressourcenabbau, Siedlungsaufbau, Armeezusammenstellung, Kämpfe, hier passt so gut wie alles. Aber: Neben der spielerischen Begeisterung machte sich nach wenigen Minuten gleichermaßen ein wenig Ernüchterung bemerkbar. Das liegt in dem Fall mehr an der technischen Seite. Das Update der Grafik-Engine beschränkt sich weitestgehend darauf, das Spiel mit aktuellen Geräten beziehungsweise Betriebssystemen lauffähig zu machen. Hinzu kommen natürlich deutlich höhere Auflösungen für HD-Displays und auch mehrere Monitore.

    Leichte Anpassungen

    Im Spiel selbst fallen die Änderungen eher subtil aus. Die Gebäude haben beispielsweise nie schöner ausgesehen, das Terrain wurde ein wenig verbessert, Wasser und Feuer haben neue Effekte bekommen, die Farbpalette im Interface wurde erweitert. Besonders vom technischen Bereich hatte ich mir jedoch mehr erwartet, als diese subtilen Änderungen, nämlich eine offensichtlichere Modernisierung á la Monkey Island Special Edition oder Halo Anniversary. Beide dieser Titel bringen eine moderne Grafik mit sich und lassen sich optional auch auf die alte Optik umschalten. Und das ist etwas, was ich mir ebenfalls für Age of Empires 2 HD gewünscht hätte. Ob es nun am Willen oder am Budget mangelte, kann ich nicht beurteilen, aber dieser Klassiker hätte eine ebenso ordentliche Überarbeitung verdient wie Microsofts Halo.

    Alles in allem bin ich aber nichtsdestotrotz eher enttäuscht von dieser HD Edition. Klar, es ist toll, diesen Meilenstein der Echtzeitstrategie auf modernen Rechnern in hohen Auflösungen zu spielen und es macht im Grunde so viel Spaß wie damals. Von der technischen Seite hatte ich mir jedoch mehr erhofft beziehungsweise erwartet als subtilere Veränderungen. Insbesondere in Anbetracht des doch eher üppigen Standard-Preises von 19,99 Euro kann man da meiner Meinung nach schon etwas mehr Mühe vonseiten der Entwickler erwarten. Wenn ihr also von der Nostalgie gepackt werdet, diesen Klassiker noch mal neu erleben wollt oder einfach dank des Multiplayer-Supports via Steam in Zukunft noch viele, viele Multiplayer-Schlachten austragen wollt, wird euch wahrscheinlich auch dieser Preis nicht stören. Wer Age of Empires 2 noch nie gespielt hat, kann hier ein Stück Echtzeitstrategie-Geschichte erleben.

    7/10 Punkte
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