Age of Empires: Definitive Edition Reviews
Whether you really wanted it this way or not, Age of Empires: Definitive Edition is about as pure of a remaster as you're ever going to find. The visuals and sound are all upgraded for a modern era without changing the heart of the game. However, with the vastly superior Age of Empires II HD already in existence with five years of community built up around it, there is little reason to recommend this game unless you're just dying to play extremely early era civilizations.
With its sprite-based visuals and creaky AI, it's not hard to spot signs of Age of Empires' advanced years. It's equal parts frustration and exhilaration, awesome when you're winning, aggravating when a moment's lapse leads to ignominious defeat. Yet the forward-thinking mission design and the pace and balance of the gameplay means it's still weirdly addictive and absorbing. It's no longer the best of its kind, but this is one historical artefact that's still worth playing here and now. Come on Microsoft, roll on a proper reboot or a sequel. This oldie but goldie deserves it.
Age of Empires: Definitive Edition is a game stuck midway between the past and the present. The remastering process took a lot of work and turned out pretty good but I can’t understand why the gameplay was left intact without any modern polish. At first, the nostalgia was strong but fighting with the archaic solutions over and over again for a few hours was too much for me and I got bored.
Review in Polish | Read full review
It's not perfect, but it's still pretty fun. With single- and multiplayer offerings and a wealth of nostalgia, it's hard to do wrong with Age of Empires: Definitive Edition.
Age of Empires: Definitive Edition does almost everything it sets out to do; it breathes new life into an absolute classic, and allows us to put on those rose-tinted glasses for another long campaign across the map, dominating through any means possible and constructing an empire very few could dream of. It still suffers from a few issues that the original did, but what more can you ask from a game that is older than half the people you play against online these days? It's definitely worth purchasing, if only for the nostalgia factor.
Age of Empires: Definitive Edition is a must-play for series vets looking to recapture the nostalgia of their first RTS experience, and well worth a look for new players looking to understand the roots of the RTS genre.
Age of Empires: Definitive Edition did an excellent job of improving its graphic performance, but it still feels too outdated for newcomers.
Review in Chinese | Read full review
It's not Age of Empires II, but Age of Empires: Definitive Edition has a lot to offer for newcomers and veterans alike, provided you can put up with some dated design.
A fun, engaging trip down RTS memory-lane.
Age of Empires: Definitive Edition might always live in the shadow of its younger sibling, but Forgotten Empires has crafted a gorgeous update for diehard fans of the original or simply fans of ancient history. Wololo.
Age of Empires: Definitive Edition is the return of the iconic brand, but the times change and the RTS went ahead.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Age of Empires: Definitive Edition succeeds in its goal — giving fans of the series a painstakingly remastered game that is faithful to the original.
Developers' precision in remastering has made Age of Empires: Definitive Edition gorgeous in terms of graphics but the AI bugs and issues are a pain the neck which will probably solved in the remasters of second and third installments of the series.
Review in Persian | Read full review
It's a very solid remaster of a classic game, and those looking for a nostalgia trip to 20 years ago should look no further. Some of the quirks are still present, even the original cheats, ultimately making this the true Definitive Edition.
Age of Empires: Definitive Edition is a great remaster that has improved the visual and sound design of original game perfectly. But gameplay wise, the game feels so sold and may only satisfy those who loved the original game.
Review in Persian | Read full review
Age of Empires: Definitive Edition is a functional and faithful nostalgia trip for fans of the original release, and manages to earn the title "definitive." However, newcomers to the genre will be disappointed by the shallow civilisation diversity, and be annoyed by the dated design and mechanics. As of right now, this is a title that can only be recommended for fans of the original game, as Age of Empires II is a more complex, deep, and a better release in every way.
Age of Empires: Definitive Edition is a very faithful remake that captures every single quality of the original title. That means you're getting a wonderful new presentation alongside all of the blemishes of the past.
Age of Empires may be ancient by videogame standards but this engaging, challenging overhaul is well worth digging up.
Despite some mistakes, a game that will be played for life.
Review in Turkish | Read full review
Age of Empires Definitive Edition is stuck between past and present. On the one hand this is a beautiful remake with nostalgic gameplay, but the problems of the past still plague the game, making the Definitive Edition a shell of its former self.
Review in Dutch | Read full review