OGN_Empires curated Age of Empires Collection

Age of Empires is a renowned series of real-time strategy games published by Microsoft. The franchise debuted in 1997 with the release of the original Age of Empires and has been followed by multiple sequels and spin-offs.

 

The series is known for its historical setting and campaigns that let players recreate historical events. Each installment features multiple playable nations with unique units and advantages. Age of Empires is also cherished for expanding the classic RTS formula, offering more sophisticated mission objectives than gathering resources, building a base, and recruiting an army to destroy all enemies. Moreover, there are many ways to win. For instance, instead of destroying enemies, players may build a wonder or collect artifacts.

 

Even though there are some historical inaccuracies in the Age of Empires games, the series is cherished for its educational value, as it features many facts and trivia. Furthermore, playing Age of Empires has made many young players interested in history.

Age of Empires

The game that laid the foundation for the rest of the series was developed by Ensemble Studios and published by Microsoft in 1997. The game is set in ancient times, from the Stone Age to the Iron Age. It offers 12 civilizations, including the Greeks, Egyptians, Persians, and Babylonians. Each faction progresses through four Ages - the Stone Age, Tool Age, Bronze Age, and Iron Age. It features both solo and multiplayer modes. In single-player mode, players can play random map games against AI or follow a campaign that revolves around historical figures like Alexander the Great or Genghis Khan. The multiplayer mode allows players to compete against each other online.

 

The Rise of Rome expansion pack came out in 1998, adding four new civilizations and solo campaigns:

 

• The Rise of Rome,
• Ave Caesar,
• Pax Romana,
• Enemies of Rome.

Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings

Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings debuted in September 1999. It was set in the Middle Ages. Players can control 13 civilizations spanning across Europe, Asia, and Africa. The game includes several single-player campaigns revolving around historical figures: William Wallace, Joan of Arc, Genghis Khan, Frederick Barbarossa, and Saladin. Compared to the original Age of Empires game, Age of Empires II evolved the combat and economic features, adding more depth and complexity to the gameplay. For example, new formations were introduced for military units, and the AI was significantly improved.

 

Also, AoE 2 had an expansion. Age of Empires II: The Conquerors came out in 2000, expanding the game with four new campaigns and five civilizations:

 

• Aztecs,
• Mayans,
• Spanish,
• Koreans,
• Huns.

 As a result, campaigns from The Age of Kings and its expansion span over a thousand years of history.

Age of Mythology

In 2002, Ensemble Studios and Microsoft gave players something a little different from the previous AoE games. Unlike the historical setting of the Age of Empires series, the Age of Mythology is set within the realms of Norse, Greek, and Egyptian mythology. Instead of a series of relatively short campaigns, the game features an epic single-player mode consisting of over 30 scenarios. It follows the story of an Atlantean hero, Arkantos, and lets players take command of all available factions.

 

Also, the gameplay incorporates mythical elements. In addition to human units, players can recruit mythological creatures, earn favor from the gods, and utilize godpowers that can turn the tide of a game. Another new feature is choosing major and minor gods, providing unique advantages and units. Ensemble Studios remained faithful to the series tradition and released an expansion. The Titans came out on September 30, 2003.

Age of Empires III

The long-awaited third installment in the series hit the shelves in 2005. It covers the European exploration and colonization of the Americas, roughly from 1492 to 1876. Consequently, it features European colonial powers like the British, French, Dutch, and Spanish. The game's solo campaign follows the fictional Black family over a span of three acts: Blood, Ice, and Steel. The storyline begins with the adventures of Morgan Black, a Scottish Knight of St. John, during the early stages of the European colonization of the New World. The second act jumps forward to the American War of Independence, where players take control of Morgan Black's grandson, John Black, and his Iroquois friend Kanyenke. The final act brings players into the 19th century, following Amelia Black, owner of the Falcon Company, during the Industrial Age. The campaign lets players meet historical figures such as George Washington and Napoleon Bonaparte.

 

The game also introduced several new gameplay features to the series, including "Home Cities," which players can customize and use to gain resources and upgrades. The game has two major expansions: The WarChiefs (2006) and The Asian Dynasties (2007), which introduced new civilizations, campaigns, and gameplay mechanics.

Age of Empires II HD Edition

The 2012 remake of Age of Kings II, developed by HD Edition, Hidden Path Entertainment. It featured all previously released content and was expanded with three original expansions: 

 

• The Forgotten,
• The African Kingdoms,
• Rise of the Rajas.

Age of Mythology: Extended Edition

In 2014, RTS fans received an improved version of AoM. It includes the base game, The Titans expansion, and multiple improvements, such as Steamworks and Twitch support and enhanced visuals. The original expansion for Age of Mythology: Extended Edition was released in 2015 and introduced new factions and a campaign set in China.

Age of Empires Definitive Edition

An improved version of the game that launched the series came out in 2017. It offers 4K graphics, among some other upgrades. Unfortunately, AoE DE contains some issues known from the original game, including annoying pathfinding.

Age of Empires II Definitive Edition

The most recent incarnation of AoE 2 is a remaster created by Forgotten Empires and released in 2019. It features many improvements, such as 4K graphics and co-op campaigns. AoE 2 DE contains every civilization and campaign from the original Age of Kings and HD Edition and adds many new ones included in expansion packs:

 

• Lords of the West (January 26, 2021),
• Dawn of the Dukes (August 10, 2021),
• Dynasties of India (April 28, 2022),
• Return of Rome (May 16, 2023),
• The Mountain Royals (October 31, 2023).

Return of Rome is enormously thrilling because it adds ancient civilizations and campaigns from the first Age of Empires installment. As a result, Age of Empires II is a nearly perfect RTS even two decades after its original release.

Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition

A remastered version of AoE 3 was released in 2020, celebrating the 15th anniversary of its original release. The new incarnation offers upgraded graphics, a remastered soundtrack, new game modes (Historical Battles and Art of War), and playable civilizations. AoE 3 DE was followed by expansion packs:

 

• United States Civilization (April 13, 2021),
• The African Royals (July 20, 2021),
• Mexican Civilization (December 1, 2021),
• Knights of the Mediterranean (May 26, 2022).

Age of Empires IV

The long-awaited fourth installment in the Age of Empires main line was developed by Relic Entertainment, the studio behind such esteemed RTS franchises as Homeworld, Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War, and Company of Heroes. They did not disappoint and provided players with a great strategy game. Age of Empires IV is set in the Middle Ages. At its premiere, it featured five solo campaigns and eight civilizations:

 

• English,
• French,
• Holy Roman Empire,
• Chinese,
• Mongols,
• Delhi Sultanate,
• Abbasid Dynasty,
• Rus.

Those numbers later increased thanks to free DLC and the paid The Sultans Ascend expansion.