Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition - Victors and Vanquished

The main pros of the game

• Unique Scenarios: The DLC features 19 distinct scenarios that introduce innovative gameplay mechanics, often diverging from traditional Age of Empires II formulas. Many players appreciate the creativity and complexity of these scenarios.
• Challenging Gameplay: The scenarios are designed to be difficult, providing a significant challenge for players who enjoy strategic depth and complexity.
• Visual Appeal: The scenarios are noted for being visually stunning, with impressive design elements that enhance the gaming experience.
• Historical Context: Many scenarios focus on historical events, appealing to history buffs and providing educational value through gameplay.
• Replayability: Players have reported that the scenarios offer a lot of content, with some scenarios taking several hours to complete, encouraging multiple playthroughs.

The main cons of the game

• Difficulty Balance: Many players find the scenarios to be excessively difficult, often feeling that they are designed for a very high skill level, which can be frustrating for casual players.
• Lengthy Missions: Several scenarios are criticized for being too long and tedious, with some taking over three hours to complete, which can lead to player fatigue.
• Limited Accessibility: The complex mechanics and unconventional designs make the game less user-friendly, particularly for new or less experienced players.
• Lack of Traditional Campaigns: Players expressed disappointment over the absence of traditional narrative-driven campaigns, preferring a more cohesive storytelling format rather than standalone scenarios.

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

• No New Civilizations: Players were expecting the addition of new civilizations, which did not occur in this DLC, leading to feelings of disappointment.
• Campaign Structure: Many users desired a more traditional campaign experience rather than a collection of scenarios, feeling that the lack of overarching narratives diminished the experience.
• Polished Gameplay: Some scenarios were critiqued for lacking polish, including issues with voice synchronization and bugs that disrupt gameplay.
• Variety in Mission Design: There is a call for more variety in mission types, as many scenarios rely on similar mechanics or gimmicks that can become repetitive.

Summary

• Overall, while "Victors and Vanquished" offers unique and challenging gameplay that some players enjoy, its difficulty, length, and departure from traditional campaign structures lead to mixed reviews. Many players recommend purchasing it on sale, while others suggest it may not appeal to those looking for a more classic Age of Empires II experience.

Summary generated on: October 30, 2025