Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition

The main pros of the game

• Variety of Civilizations: The game features 42 civilizations, each with unique bonuses and units, promoting diverse strategies and play styles.
• Engaging Gameplay: Users praise the balance between economy and military strategy, with satisfying gameplay that encourages improvement and learning.
• Nostalgia and Timelessness: Many players have fond memories associated with the game, highlighting its lasting appeal and ability to evoke nostalgia.
• Remastered Graphics and Quality of Life Improvements: The Definitive Edition includes enhanced graphics, improved AI, and various gameplay enhancements, making it more accessible and enjoyable.
• Extensive Content: The game offers a wealth of single-player campaigns, multiplayer options, and an in-game editor for custom scenarios, providing endless replayability.
• Active Community and Updates: The game continues to receive updates and maintains a strong online community, ensuring a vibrant multiplayer experience.

The main cons of the game

• AI Difficulty Imbalance: Users noted a significant gap in difficulty between AI settings, with the easier levels being too simple and the harder levels being excessively challenging.
• Pathfinding Issues: Some players expressed frustration with pathfinding mechanics, which can hinder unit movement and strategy execution.
• Lack of Steam Workshop Support: A few users mentioned the absence of Steam Workshop support as a downside, limiting modding options.
• Difficulty for New Players: The steep learning curve and competitive nature of the game may deter newcomers who find it challenging to keep up with experienced players.

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

• More Balanced AI Difficulty Levels: Players desire a more gradual progression in AI difficulty to provide a smoother learning experience.
• Enhanced Map Editor Usability: Some users found the in-game map editor difficult to navigate and wished for improvements in its functionality.
• Original Soundtrack Elements: A few players miss aspects of the original soundtrack, feeling that certain elements contributed to the game's essence.
• More Diverse Visual Representation: Users pointed out a lack of authenticity in the visual representation of certain civilizations, suggesting a need for more culturally accurate designs.

Summary

• Overall, Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition is widely regarded as a classic and a must-play for RTS fans, despite some critiques concerning AI balance and user interface elements.

Summary generated on: October 8, 2025