Age of Empires: Definitive Edition Reviews
The 90s classic has never looked better, but beneath the makeover it can creak.
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.
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.
The Windows 10 restrictions simply do the development team a disservice. A lot of work went into Age of Empires: Definitive Edition and just enough tweaks were made to ensure that it's still relevant in 2018. I have an incredible amount of respect for the folks who brought this classic back to life, and for their restraint to ensure that this remaster doesn't abandon its roots.
While it is certainly one of the most accessible RTS games I've ever played, Age of Empires: Definitive Edition does feel too outdated for newcomers. Unintelligent AI, monotony, and unbalanced gameplay hold it back from competing with modern strategy games out right now. That isn't to say there isn't fun to be had for fans, as the extensive map editors and online multiplayer are its saving graces.
There's clearly been plenty of love and attention given to the remastering of Age of Empires Definitive Edition, even if some of the less enjoyable elements of the original have also made it through the process unscathed. Twenty years later it still remains a hugely enjoyable RTS, and particularly thanks to its iconic soundtrack remains a joy to play, with hours disappearing as the eras pass you by.
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
The legendary RTS milestone comes back with a new look and an updated gameplay, but with some old mechanics and too much crashes, freezes and instable frame rate, it can't be still a masterpiece.
Review in Italian | Read full review
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
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.
If you somehow managed to miss out on trying the original Age of Empires, this is your time to get stuck in. The Definitive Edition is an excellent nod to the classic title that made the series what it is today.
After hours spent in the world of Age of Empires - Definitive Edition, we still don't have the answer to the real question: why should we play this remake? Gameplay-wise, the genre has seen a lot of improvements over the years, and the developers weren't bold enough to give a fresh start to the original title. At the end of the day, this seems more and more like a wasted opportunity.
Review in Italian | 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.
_______________________ “The heart and soul of the game is there, even in the tutorial, but it's simply too old.
I'll be honest; Age of Empires: Definitive Edition is a bit of a hard sell at this stage. At this point in time, it's just Age of Empires: Gold Edition with fresh makeup; it's almost exactly as you'd remember it though, warts and all. Yet there's always that potential for it to get plenty of all-new expansion content. So while it doesn't really deserve the “definitive” moniker now, it will in time.
However, it's also likely to leave those older players thinking some things are better left alone as happy memories. It's the same reason that new players are unlikely to be enamoured. It's difficult to play a game like this in isolation. Sooner or later, the mind wanders back to the present – the truth is, the genre has come on in leaps and bounds since Age of Empires came on the scene all those years ago and this is one remaster that feels like it doesn't really belong.
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.
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.
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.