Age of Empires: Definitive Edition Reviews
While Age of Empires was once the best game of its kind, the Definitive Edition's changes are only superficial, ignoring the gameplay advancements that have improved the genre since 1997. As such, only existing fans will fully appreciate it.
A fun, engaging trip down RTS memory-lane.
Age of Empires: Definitive Edition is a solid remake of a game that's past its time.
A well-crafted remaster but this ancient real-time strategy has little to offer modern gamers, especially when the sequel is already readily available.
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.
The return of one of the vicars in the RTS genre is a mix between nostalgic memories and learning how to manage your rage. The same problems that in 90s where the norm now are huge problems that can make you shout at your citizens.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Age of Empires: Definitive Edition introduces gameplay tweaks and 4K visuals to a 20-year old classic, but not everything holds up to modern standards.
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: 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 is still lumbered with some of the quirks of its '90s origins. This is understandable - it is a remaster, not a remake - but those quirks do cause some friction. Beneath them, though, the underlying gameplay remains as solid as a fully upgraded phalanx.
The target audience for this Age of Empires : Definitive Edition is clearly nostalgic people. This remaster is a nice starter to wait for the main course: Age of Empires IV. Despite bugs such as a shameful pathfinding and some zoom problems, this is not a lazy version. Graphics and audio liftings are enough to enjoy again one of the most important games of PC's games History.
Review in French | Read full review
Age of Empires: Definitive Edition has certainly got the nostalgia factor going for it. Despite its age, and the numerous problems that come from it, Age of Empires is still a good strategy game. The major issue is that everything about the game has been refined and done better, even by its own successors. As a way to promote Age of Empires IV, it's a sensible move. As a way to revive the series using older titles, that was already done best with Age of Empires II HD.
Age of Empires Definitive Edition manages to fulfill its function as a remaster. The graphics and the sounds are truly a delight, and there are some small playable improvements as well, but these are weighed down by the AI and a pathfinding system which still does not behave as well as it should
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Age of Empires: Definitive Edition is a love letter to the AoE gamers of old. This is not a remaster aimed at recruiting new fans, this is a wonderfully spruced up version of a classic game for long time players. It looks great, sounds excellent and has had some slight modernisation touches without ever losing the feeling of the classic AoE experience.
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
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.
_______________________ “The heart and soul of the game is there, even in the tutorial, but it's simply too old.
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
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
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.