Age of Empires II: HD Edition

About Age of Empires II: HD Edition

Age of Empires II: HD Edition arrived on PC in April 2013 as a remaster of the 1999 classic by Ensemble Studios. Hidden Path Entertainment handled the visual upgrades while Microsoft published it. You command one of eighteen historical civilizations across four distinct eras spanning from the Dark Age to the Renaissance. The game features single player campaigns from both the original release and The Conquerors expansion, plus online multiplayer and co-op modes. It strips away modern interface clutter to focus on pure base building and tactical combat. This version brings the beloved real-time strategy experience to a new generation without changing the fundamental mechanics that made the original famous.

Gameplay

You start by managing villagers who gather wood, food, gold, or stone while you construct buildings and research upgrades. The game progresses through four ages: Dark, Feudal, Castle, and Imperial. Each age unlocks stronger units and more complex buildings. You spend minutes chopping trees or training military scouts before building up an economy strong enough to field armies. Battles involve positioning your cavalry archers against enemy infantry while using the terrain for defense. Villagers can repair structures or hide inside castles during sieges. Multiplayer matches often last thirty minutes or longer as players race to reach the Imperial Age and deploy their unique civilization units.

What Players Think

The PlayPile community rates this title at 67.3 out of 100 based on 216 IGDB ratings. Average playtime sits around forty hours for completionists who tackle every campaign. Users frequently list "Strategy" as the primary mood, with occasional bursts of competitive energy in multiplayer lobbies. Some reviews note that the graphics feel dated compared to modern titles, yet the core gameplay loop remains engaging. Completion rates show a significant drop off after the first few campaigns, suggesting new players struggle with the steep learning curve. Veterans often return for ranked matches where skill matters more than random chance.

PlayPile's Take

This is a solid buy if you want deep strategy without modern hand-holding. The price reflects its age as a remaster, but the content volume justifies it. You will need to master resource management and unit counters to succeed in multiplayer. Achievements track your progress through all campaigns and unlock unique titles for specific victories. Players who enjoy managing economies and tactical combat will find plenty to do here. Those seeking flashy graphics or fast-paced action should look elsewhere. The game rewards patience and study over reflexes alone.

Storyline

The player has control over a society and guides them through four different time periods or "ages". The game begins in the Dark Age, where very few buildings and units are available. After a short time when requirements are met, the user gains the ability to advance their civilization beginning with the Feudal Age, where more upgrades, buildings, and units become available. The next age is the Castle Age, in which the powerful Castle may be built, and used to produce powerful units including the unique unit of each civilization. Finally, the user can reach the Imperial Age, which is reminiscent of the early years of the Renaissance. Once the user has reached the Imperial Age, they gain access to all the upgrades, units, and buildings that may be built and researched for their specific civilization. The player directly controls Villagers, which are the most important economic unit in the game. The player has the power to order them to move or attack (all units except for Trade Carts, Transport Ships and Trade Cogs), construct new buildings, gather necessary resources (Villager units), and perform a range of other tasks, such as repair damaged buildings or garrison inside Castle or Town Center for safety.