Age of Empires: Definitive Edition

[DesiPower]

Anyone tried it? Is it just the 1st version of the game? or does have AOE2 as well in it?

 

[BSim500]

Anyone tried it? Is it just the 1st version of the game? or does have AOE2 as well in it?

Already a thread here:-
https://forums.anandtech.com/threads/age-of-empires-definitive-edition.2509053/#post-39218272

It's just AoE1 + expansion. If you still have the disc version then it's not that much of an improvement vs that + Upatch to be honest. Gameplay itself hasn't been altered that much so it's still behind AoE2 in terms of annoyances / "quality of life" fixes between them. It's now Windows 10 only, Microsoft Store only and laughably overpriced. Reviews on MS store page are barely 3/5 with most complaints being crashes and degraded / buggy AI that's dumber for single player vs the 21 year old version (which in turn is behind what community modders have created and tweaked over the years). Personally, I'm glad I picked up the Collectors Edition (DVD-ROM with DRM-free versions of both AoE 1+2 plus expansions) for under $5 a couple of years ago. The +700% price increases of "Digital Remasters" of 20 year old games is a joke.

 

[Craig234]

After the way they screwed buyers of Age of Empires Online, punish them.

 

[Red Storm]

Already a thread here:-
https://forums.anandtech.com/threads/age-of-empires-definitive-edition.2509053/#post-39218272

It's just AoE1 + expansion. If you still have the disc version then it's not that much of an improvement vs that + Upatch to be honest. Gameplay itself hasn't been altered that much so it's still behind AoE2 in terms of annoyances / "quality of life" fixes between them. It's now Windows 10 only, Microsoft Store only and laughably overpriced. Reviews on MS store page are barely 3/5 with most complaints being crashes and degraded / buggy AI that's dumber for single player vs the 21 year old version (which in turn is behind what community modders have created and tweaked over the years). Personally, I'm glad I picked up the Collectors Edition (DVD-ROM with DRM-free versions of both AoE 1+2 plus expansions) for under $5 a couple of years ago. The +700% price increases of "Digital Remasters" of 20 year old games is a joke.

On DE I can agree with you, but AoE II HD has been well worth the price for me. Being on Steam, revamped multiplayer, new civs and proper support for modern resolutions has greatly renewed interest in the game in my circle of friends.

I do wonder what the DE version of AoE II is going to be like. And then there's the DE of AoE III, and then the all new AoE IV... I am expecting the worst, and hoping for the best.

Wish they would do a proper DE of Age of Mythology.

 

[KMFJD]

The graphics have been greatly improved, that's about it. 700% price increase?

 

[Stuka87]

I was in the alpha and beta. The game looks way better than the original, has all of the expansion packs and such. But it is not worth the current price that they want for it.

 

[BSim500]

700% price increase?

Considering you could buy AoE 1-2 as a pair for $5 (budget label Collector's Edition) for years and now suddenly they're $20 each ($40 total), yes +700% is exactly what the price increase is if you want both games...

On DE I can agree with you, but AoE II HD has been well worth the price for me. Being on Steam, revamped multiplayer, new civs and proper support for modern resolutions has greatly renewed interest in the game in my circle of friends.

Even that is mostly modder material. The HD resolutions, increased population sizes, improved AI, etc, were again already added in unofficial Userpatch, whilst "The Forgotten Empires" was (and still is) originally a free mod for all versions including retail discs.

 

[KMFJD]

Graphics are much improved...and you can zoom now!

 

[Red Storm]

Even that is mostly modder material. The HD resolutions, increased population sizes, improved AI, etc, were again already added in unofficial Userpatch, whilst "The Forgotten Empires" was (and still is) originally a free mod for all versions including retail discs.

Forgotten Empires had some cool stuff, but what I have today in AoE II HD is more stuff and is more polished. Mods are fun, but I'm no longer a young teen gamer who has the time to hunt down, research, and keep up to date with mod scenes. The money I spent on a game that I already bought the CD to a long time ago is more than worth the convenience of having it ready to go with a single click. My friends have all picked up AoE II HD for $5 from the various Steam sales.

 

[StinkyPinky]

Well I like it. You people are understating the visual improvements. The game looks fantastic now. Could probably do some more work on the animations (the elephants especially) but it looks great on a 1440p widescreen. Whereas Age of Empire 2 HD looks atrocious.

The game itself has only had a few tweaks. An idle villager button comes to mind. Also villages automatically do a task after building a building. However it still lacks the unit variety and (slightly) better AI and pathfinding of AOE 2.

 

[Red Storm]

I wish they added formations, that is a deal killer for me. I never played the first one anyway, so I'm fine not getting it.

 

[DesiPower]

I sarted playing with AoE1 but once I played 2 I could not go back to one... Gameplay was so vastly improved that AoE 1 was unplayable for me. So I guess DE for $20 or even 17 is our of question. I have the HD collecting available on steam and its pretty nice, if they revamp both Aoe 2 and age of kings, I would buy it in a heart beat, irrespective of the price...

 

[Stuka87]

I wish they added formations, that is a deal killer for me. I never played the first one anyway, so I'm fine not getting it.

But that would be a huge change to the game. The point was to update the game graphics and such. I agree, there are lots of things that would make it nice, but in that case, go play AoE II, which has all those nice to haves.

 

[Red Storm]

But that would be a huge change to the game. The point was to update the game graphics and such. I agree, there are lots of things that would make it nice, but in that case, go play AoE II, which has all those nice to haves.

Yes I agree, which is why I probably will never get it. Looking forward to the DE for AoE II.