Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition - Chronicles: Battle for Greece

The main pros of the game

• Innovative Campaign Design: The campaign is praised for its unique storytelling and character-driven narrative, which includes choices that affect future missions. Many reviewers noted that it feels like a fresh experience compared to previous Age of Empires campaigns.
• High Production Value: Users highlighted the quality of voice acting, impressive cutscenes, and beautiful graphics that enhance the overall experience.
• Engaging Gameplay Mechanics: The introduction of new civilizations with distinct mechanics, such as the Achaemenids, Athenians, and Spartans, adds depth to the gameplay. The naval combat overhaul was particularly well-received.
• Replayability: The campaign's structure allows for multiple playthroughs with different strategies, thanks to the branching choices and varied mission objectives.
• Rich Historical Context: Many players appreciated the historical accuracy and the depth of the narrative, which draws from significant events in ancient Greek history.

The main cons of the game

• Difficulty and Scripting Issues: Some users found the campaign to be overly difficult, with many missions feeling rushed due to strict timers. There were complaints about the reliance on scripted events that could lead to frustration.
• Civilization Balance Concerns: Several reviews mentioned that the new civilizations are not well-balanced against each other or against existing Age of Empires II civilizations, leading to gameplay issues in multiplayer scenarios.
• Minor Bugs: Users reported various bugs, including issues with mission mechanics and technology descriptions, which detracted from the overall experience.
• Limited Multiplayer Integration: The new civilizations are not available in ranked multiplayer, which disappointed some players who hoped for more crossover with the base game.

The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users

• More Relaxed Gameplay Options: Some players expressed a desire for less frantic missions, wishing for scenarios that allow for exploration and strategic planning without the pressure of timers.
• Improved Clarity in Mechanics: There were calls for clearer descriptions of unique technologies and better integration of new gameplay mechanics across missions.
• Expanded Multiplayer Features: Users suggested a need for ranked matchmaking that includes the new civilizations or the introduction of additional ancient civilizations in future expansions to enhance multiplayer diversity.
• Post-Mission Storytelling: A few reviewers wanted the narrative to continue beyond mission briefings, suggesting that end-of-mission summaries could provide a satisfying conclusion to each scenario.

Summary

• Overall, "Chronicles: Battle for Greece" has been well-received for its ambitious campaign and innovative mechanics, although it faces critiques regarding difficulty, balance, and some technical issues. The enthusiasm for potential future expansions remains high among the player base.

Summary generated on: October 28, 2025