Officially, Age of Empires turned 20 last year. As part of that anniversary, Microsoft announced a new game. Finally, the game is out!
I have a profound love for Age of Empires. It’s one of the games that I’m so grateful to have been introduced to years ago. In fact, I was playing Age of Empires III as recently as 2 weeks ago. In my collection, I also have Age of Empires II and Age of Mythology and man, I can’t wait to play Definitive Edition.
The nostalgia
I started late, around 2010 or 2011 ish. So, I missed Age of Empires I. But, the stories I’ve heard from people around me have been great to listen to.
Now, this is strictly an Australian or Kiwi experience but people told me the first game was one of those CDs that came with cereals. Unexpectedly, there were even questions from them whether the Definitive Edition would also be coming via cereal boxes 😛
Of course, the other nostalgia factor associated with Age of Empires I is that it was first available on Windows 95. (Windows 95: AKA my first OS ever).
Not to mention, how else did 90s kids learn about history? Games: hell yeah.
About this new version
I’m glad that I’m finally going to be able to play the first game given its history (pun, intended). Each AoE game covers a different era of history so being able to play as an ancient civilisation is going to be epic. (Of course, guns are so uncivilised).
Age of Empires I through III were all originally developed by Microsoft’s Ensemble Studios. Now, this latest edition has been developed by Forgotten Empires.
Before and after shots
Obviously, one of the biggest parts of this new game is that it’s a much prettier version of the original. As you can see, you can tell that pretty easily from these two screenshots:
Okay, so this isn’t a before and after. But, can I just say that the new destruction animation will make sacking cities that much more satisfying?
Features
- All-new graphics & artwork
- Multiplayer
- Remastered soundtrack (prepare yourself for the epic orchestral cover of the main theme at 1:57)
- Remastered sound effects
- Completely revamped UI
- The good old campaigns with proper spit and polish
- Countless balance adjustments
- New terrains & scenario editor objects
- Classic Mode – The original 1997 experience (I guess this is for people like me who missed the first game)
- Plenty a-wololo
Civilisations
- Assyrians
- Babylonians
- Carthaginians
- Choson
- Egyptians
- Greeks
- Hittites
- Macedonians
- Minoans
- Palmyrans
- Persians
- Phoenicians
- Romans
- Shang
- Sumerians
- Yamato
Campaigns
- Ascent of Egypt
- Voices of Babylon
- Glory of Greece
- Yamato Empire of the Rising Sun
- Reign of the Hittites
- Rise of Rome
- Ave Caesar
- Imperium Romanum
- Enemies of Rome
- First Punic War
Minimum System Requirements
- OS: Windows 10 version 14393.0 or higher required
- Architecture: X64 required
- Processor: 1.8 Ghz+ Dual Core or greater i3, i5, or i7, or AMD equivalent
- Graphics: Intel HD 4000 or Greater (16 or more Execution Units), AMD or Nvidia GPU scoring 500 or more on Passmark G3D Mark
- Memory: 4GB
- Storage: 17-20GB
Screenshots
Availability
Finally, the game is out as of midnight last night. So, you can get your hands on it right now from the Microsoft Store:
As you can see, the game is available for AU$22.45. In my opinion, that’s pretty good pricing.
Watch the trailer
Images: AgeofEmpires.com
Sources: AgeofEmpires.com, https://www.forgottenempires.net/age-of-empires-definitive-edition
