Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings

 PC
User Score
9.0

Universal acclaim- based on 1409 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1,278 out of 1409
  2. Mixed: 98 out of 1409
  3. Negative: 33 out of 1409
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  1. ZuffuluZT.
    May 1, 2008
    10
    Best RTS game of all time. Period. ;) Seriously this game has everything you ever wanted in an RTS game. The graphics may not be up to date anymore but since it's 2D it doesn't grow old as fast as 3D titles do. (look at 3D games of that time and you know what I mean ...) The gameplay is just awesome, because it has such a great balance between economy and warfare, which allows Best RTS game of all time. Period. ;) Seriously this game has everything you ever wanted in an RTS game. The graphics may not be up to date anymore but since it's 2D it doesn't grow old as fast as 3D titles do. (look at 3D games of that time and you know what I mean ...) The gameplay is just awesome, because it has such a great balance between economy and warfare, which allows you to build huge cities and train enormous armies to besiege them. Besides that there is just an endless amount of stuff to do in this game, because there are so many different factions, units, strategies, campaigns, scenarios and probably the most easy to use map editor of all time. It is already 9 years old and I am still playing it every now and then, because it just has so much more to offer than all the other RTS games that were released since then, especially AOE3, which was really disappointing to me. There has never been such an addicting RTS game out there, so if you still don't own it, buy it! It is more than worth it. And if you already have it, go and play it again! It is really so much more enjoying than all the modern RTS games with fancy graphics but no substance.… Expand
  2. SimonF
    Sep 9, 2008
    10
    This is a masterpiece. Not only are the singleplayer missions fun and historically correct, it has lots to offer to new RTS players, as well as old RTS players, and is the most well-balanced game I have ever played. It is also a lot of fun, especially when you play multiplayer. The AI could use an additional difficulty mode, because the hardest mode isn't hard enough for real RTS This is a masterpiece. Not only are the singleplayer missions fun and historically correct, it has lots to offer to new RTS players, as well as old RTS players, and is the most well-balanced game I have ever played. It is also a lot of fun, especially when you play multiplayer. The AI could use an additional difficulty mode, because the hardest mode isn't hard enough for real RTS veterans. I have to highlight the multiplayer again, because it is absolutely fantastic. You can have the most amazing and epic battles with sieges from multiple sides on your opponents castle et cetera. Playing with eight players is an amazing experience because of the importance of alliances, that can be really fragile, especially if you turn on the last man standing mode. This is a wonderful game, and an absolute classic.… Expand
  3. IG44
    Aug 21, 2012
    10
    This is definitely the best RTS of all time! Great graphics,excellent gameplay,great balance between the factions and it's historicly correct! Too bad the sequels were crappy...Age of Empires III was good,but Age of Empires Online is very,very bad... What were they thinking?!
  4. davinci2
    Jun 20, 2012
    10
    The best strategy game of all time. Graphics are telling of 1990's but the RTS element in this game is second to none. Several campaigns, especially with the expansion pack. Delivers one of the best single player experiences I have ever had along with a stellar multiplayer. The ultimate RTS classic and an inspiration to the genre. R.I.P. Ensemble Studios.
  5. zerodecibels
    Dec 30, 2012
    10
    This game is perfectly-balanced tactical game that i kept playing for almost 13 years.. There's only a few other RTS that simple and fun. Although its graphics are obsolete, units still can be differentiated from one another unlike many of modern strategy games. It's a milestone in RTS World. If it were served in a higher resolution like 19200x1200 i could be still playing it today..
  6. Prozilla
    Jul 4, 2013
    9
    first computer game I ever played, at the time my parents computer could barely handle it. picked it up at Wall-Mart for 10 bucks a while back just for some good memories. STILL love this game, the bad graphics and music/sound affects was exactly what I was looking for. think in 10 years I could play it and still be thrilled. not a bad pick up for the money if you want a classic RTS, easyfirst computer game I ever played, at the time my parents computer could barely handle it. picked it up at Wall-Mart for 10 bucks a while back just for some good memories. STILL love this game, the bad graphics and music/sound affects was exactly what I was looking for. think in 10 years I could play it and still be thrilled. not a bad pick up for the money if you want a classic RTS, easy to play and you will be able to dump hours and hours into gameplay. WARNING!! if you have trouble playing with windows 7 look it up on Google or whatever because its a real easy fix. happy gaming… Expand
  7. CA1994
    Nov 3, 2013
    10
    One of the best RTS games ever made. Historical campaigns and lots of battles. This game was the first time I was really exposed to history and I am now a history major at college. With the release of Age of Empires II HD Edition definitely worth going back to.
  8. SchroederRock
    Feb 11, 2014
    10
    More than a decade after it launched, I still enjoy a game of AoE 2. There's just something so incredibly gratifying about it. I wound up purchasing the reissued version on Steam, but truth be told it wasn't all that great of an update. If MGS and Ensemble would have just rebuilt it from the ground up with improved graphics and a rebirthed matchmaking system, I'd be much more likely toMore than a decade after it launched, I still enjoy a game of AoE 2. There's just something so incredibly gratifying about it. I wound up purchasing the reissued version on Steam, but truth be told it wasn't all that great of an update. If MGS and Ensemble would have just rebuilt it from the ground up with improved graphics and a rebirthed matchmaking system, I'd be much more likely to play JUST AoE2. This game is truly a classic.… Expand
  9. Cubixreviews
    May 11, 2012
    9
    Hours of fun? Yes. Masterpiece? Yes. Age of Empires 2 is a RTS that rocks, in many ways. The game haves a really great strategy, and the graphics are great. It is classic, and extremely fun. A great sequel and a masterpiece. (9.9)
  10. Keen
    May 20, 2012
    10
    There are things you never forget and this game, at least for me, is one of those. Outstanding graphics, which are pleasure to look at even today, perfect game play, great campaigns and lovable units. I am proud to have Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings and its expansion Conquerors between my TOP3 RTS games together with first Stronghold and Starcraft.
  11. wesker2012
    May 28, 2012
    10
    A classic. Amazing game.
  12. Deaddog
    Jul 22, 2012
    10
    best rts game eVER!!!!!!!!!. I start play this game 2000 and i still play this game with my friends. i dont are pro in this game but i dont are still full noob =). i play today with Conquerors expansion it better.sorry very bad english
  13. MeCritic
    Apr 1, 2013
    8
    I kinda feel like a pessimist, giving this an 8/10 while everyone else gave it 9 and 10, but I don't think it's that great. I like it. It has a good feel. And The Conquerors expansion is a great addition. The only problems I have with this game are the singleplayer campaign and the sound. The singleplayer campaign just isn't that interesting, I found. I prefer going on a randomly generatedI kinda feel like a pessimist, giving this an 8/10 while everyone else gave it 9 and 10, but I don't think it's that great. I like it. It has a good feel. And The Conquerors expansion is a great addition. The only problems I have with this game are the singleplayer campaign and the sound. The singleplayer campaign just isn't that interesting, I found. I prefer going on a randomly generated map and fighting bots. And as for the sound, well, the music is great. But the rest of the audio really isn't something I would expect from a game released in 1999. Another thing that brings this game down, for me, is that I'm not a very big RTS fan. Now, don't get me wrong. I really do like this game. And if it wasn't an RTS it would not work AT ALL. But if you like classic PC games, you need this.… Expand
  14. LittleMat
    Mar 21, 2013
    10
    Great game. I got this game last year and it is just soo fun. The graphics are nothing special but the gameplay is very good. If you get the conquerors expansion it just gets better. They are making Age of Empires 2 HD for steam so you should get it when it comes out. It will revive the awesome multiplayer
  15. cryhardhumor
    Jul 19, 2015
    9
    It's a simple but at the same time sophisticated and intelligent game. The wide variety of different modes and scenarios you can choose from ensure that it never gets old of tired. Even though it was released almost 20 years ago, I still dust it off and pop it in for a few hours of fun on a rainy day. It really is timeless
  16. DominikCZE
    Nov 9, 2013
    10
    What is there to say about this one? Hands down the best game I have ever played. Fantastic atmosphere, great campaign, superb gameplay. Everything just clicked in this game. I was too young when it came out to explore the online part of the game, but the historical single player was something that would be impossible to find in today's RTS games. The nostalgia and happy childhood memoriesWhat is there to say about this one? Hands down the best game I have ever played. Fantastic atmosphere, great campaign, superb gameplay. Everything just clicked in this game. I was too young when it came out to explore the online part of the game, but the historical single player was something that would be impossible to find in today's RTS games. The nostalgia and happy childhood memories I get every time I think of this game is like nothing else.… Expand
  17. ben_waldner
    Dec 23, 2013
    10
    The best strategy computer game all over. And played since ages after beeing published! But multiplayer connection lacked a lots of time, but maybe you can't compare 1997 with 2014. I am very happy that this game exists and played it maybe more than 300 or 400 hours. Thanks!
  18. CedricParker
    Mar 17, 2014
    10
    A classic RTS, they improved from Age of Empires and just made it soo much better. I totally recommend this game to anybody. It's simple yet difficult but always extremely fun.
  19. Wolfie1987
    Mar 24, 2014
    10
    It's just so goood. I enjoy playing this much more than any other RTS game, because it has more heart and soul and charm. Do you need fancy graphics to enjoy chess? Maybe if the pieces were ultra realistic statues that could move like in that Harry Potter movie. The AOE2 gameplay is perfect, love this game.
  20. CallOfGaming
    May 3, 2014
    9
    This game is one of the best RTSs ever to exist. It has multiple factions from which you can choose from, and each one has its own technology and strategy. The campaign is a bit lame for my taste, so I kinda just play with my friends on Skirmish mode. It has multiple buildings and troops you can create and improve. Even though it's from '99, it has resisted time well, and a fullfilingThis game is one of the best RTSs ever to exist. It has multiple factions from which you can choose from, and each one has its own technology and strategy. The campaign is a bit lame for my taste, so I kinda just play with my friends on Skirmish mode. It has multiple buildings and troops you can create and improve. Even though it's from '99, it has resisted time well, and a fullfiling experience lies in here. Go and play it then!… Expand
  21. Rewaider
    May 11, 2014
    10
    Well, to start: I don't believe how this game got less than some CoD ones, and less than those all crappy games that have only graphics.
    Age of empires II is one of the most creative games I've ever seen (suffered thousands of plagiarism after being released). It is basically two games in one! The scenario editor, a powerful editor which allows you to create your own world, your own game    Well, to start: I don't believe how this game got less than some CoD ones, and less than those all crappy games that have only graphics.
    Age of empires II is one of the most creative games I've ever seen (suffered thousands of plagiarism after being released). It is basically two games in one! The scenario editor, a powerful editor which allows you to create your own world, your own game in any style (RPG, B&D, and whatever), and have the awesome multiplayer, in which you can load your own scenario, or play one of the several modes it have!
    It deserves a lot more than 9.0 (in my opinion should be awarded by a 9.5-9.8, because it's (if not the best) one of the best games ever! To summarize, I will write the positive and negative points bellow:

    POSITIVE POINTS
    - Awesome gameplay, and perfectly balanced;
    - Scenario editor with thousands of possibilities, letting you make anything!;
    - It doens't takes that much money from you (like those recent games, which any item costs around 10 Dollars);
    - Is the first one to have this theme (and well-succeeded);
    - Great graphics (for its time), overcoming many games made two or three years past it!;
    - Almost no annoying bug, just helpful bugs (like invisible unit trick, invisible tile trick, heal unit trick, etc);
    - It can be a noob game, for relax, or can be a fuqin hardcore game (depending the way you play it!);
    - Quite good ES campaigns;
    - Many sound effects of good quality.
    - Good voice actors;

    NEGATIVE POINTS
    - Some annoying pathfinding bugs;
    - Repetitive combat sounds;
    - Shadows aren't very realistic;
    - Water sucks;
    - ES campaigns are too lengthy, and sometimes boring to play;
    - Some not well done objects (such as Flowers 1,2,3,4, cracks, etc);
    - Too dumb AI (However you can design your own);
    - Stupid Villagers, that walks in a disorganized way and sometimes can slow your economy down;
    - Some bugs could be solved down before releasing.

    So those are all I think about AOK. Despite having some bugs, it still awesome and (IMO) the best game ever! (Better than those all recent overrated games).
    Play it by a whole before judging it just by the multiplayer/random map. One half of the game is in the scenario editor, DO NOT MISS IT!    … Expand
  22. joaopontesvaz
    May 12, 2015
    9
    Graphics: 9.2 Sound: 9.5 Gameplay: 9.0 Fun/Story: 9.0

    My favorite strategy game of all time. Nice graphics, nice online and LAN multiplayer. A must have RTS.
  23. dinosauryoshi
    Jun 30, 2014
    9
    I spent many, many hours playing this as a kid and still go back to it to this day. I love the amount of civilizations (especially with the conquerors expansion), units, buildings and maps available and of course the addictive, easy to pick up and yet difficult to master gameplay. I'll always remember this game for its great soundtrack too. My only gripes were the population limit and howI spent many, many hours playing this as a kid and still go back to it to this day. I love the amount of civilizations (especially with the conquerors expansion), units, buildings and maps available and of course the addictive, easy to pick up and yet difficult to master gameplay. I'll always remember this game for its great soundtrack too. My only gripes were the population limit and how you had to manually get each farmer to start a new farm once it had expired (although this was fixed with the expansion). Regardless of these minor flaws this is one of those games I'll never forget. The visuals were great for the time, and the gameplay thoroughly addictive and fun. A classic, no doubt about it. I remember playing a lot of Red Alert and Total Annihilation but this is the game that always sticks out as the best.… Expand
  24. Komi
    Jul 1, 2014
    10
    One of the best games so far, with much respect from me personally. It affected the RTS genre much and as can be seen from the huge community which still plays it, it is time-affection-less. In other words, AOE2 is one of the games you could enjoy in 2004,2014,2024 just as fair. In some aspects it of course got old compared to the new stuff, yet it doesn't push you away. Adding my ownOne of the best games so far, with much respect from me personally. It affected the RTS genre much and as can be seen from the huge community which still plays it, it is time-affection-less. In other words, AOE2 is one of the games you could enjoy in 2004,2014,2024 just as fair. In some aspects it of course got old compared to the new stuff, yet it doesn't push you away. Adding my own sense - AOE2 graphics are pleasing the eye more than AOE3 and most of the new games! :)… Expand
  25. derek10
    Mar 1, 2015
    10
    It's a classic that must NOT die, even if its graphics are clearly outdated, it's fun and its AI is very intelligent (especially in Conquerors and Forgotten) though sometimes it's bugging and my enemies begin to build towers non-stop lol and sometimes they don't build artillery units but seems to be fixed in Forgotten.
  26. Gregon
    Nov 20, 2014
    9
    This game is the gold standard for historical real time strategy (RTS) games. I best remember it for its competitive multiplayer and elaborate defenses/sieges. Well-balanced, fun, and colorful.
  27. sambeme
    Feb 4, 2017
    10
    Great game. Would recommend to any beginner RTS fans...........................................................................................................................................
  28. kloplos
    Mar 24, 2015
    9
    This is the game that defined its genre. Even now a decade and a half later, it is still among the best RTS games available. If you're a fan of RTS games, then this is a definite must-have.
  29. Kurtz
    Dec 22, 2011
    10
    The fact that I still play it today with friends and still have an awesome time shows how amazing this game is. And yes I got it in 1999 for my birthday. Every area of the game is superb. Lots of campaigns, map editor, easy LAN play. It is much better with the Conquerors expansion of course but is still one of the best games I have ever played.
  30. TheJusta
    Nov 25, 2010
    10
    This has to be the most complete game ever made. It's entertainment factor is off the charts, it's educational, it's historically accurate, appropriate for all ages and still perfect for anyone to play. It's old, but who cares, it's great. We can't count the entertainment life of this game in hours, it has to be counted in years. I've been playing this game for over 10 years, on and offThis has to be the most complete game ever made. It's entertainment factor is off the charts, it's educational, it's historically accurate, appropriate for all ages and still perfect for anyone to play. It's old, but who cares, it's great. We can't count the entertainment life of this game in hours, it has to be counted in years. I've been playing this game for over 10 years, on and off through other games but I never get bored. It's also not very demanding and cheap so it's essentially available to anyone. Honestly this is the only game that deserves a perfect note because everything is perfect about it: Single Player, Multiplayer, Map editor, Entertainment factor, Game life, Educational values, Soundtrack and A.I.

    Buy it, hell buy 3 copies of it only to encourage its wonderful producers.    … Expand
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Awards & Rankings

3
#3 Best PC Game of 1999
2
#2 Most Discussed PC Game of 1999
4
#4 Most Shared PC Game of 1999

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
92

Universal acclaim - based on 21 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 21
  3. Negative: 0 out of 21
  1. GameZone
    81
    Simply an awesome game - great in historical imagery, solid in sound and game play, and a lot of fun to play. The Age of Kings deserves its title.
    Read full review
  2. Game Over Online
    87
    It’s not a significant improvement as far as gameplay and graphics, but it does help further the claim of AOE as a solid gaming title and a quality multiplayer game. The originality may be gone, but the idea lives on.
    Read full review
  3. Eurogamer
    90
    I never got into the original game, yet I find AoE II enchanting. The sheer depth of the technology tree and evolution of the civilisation are always a surprise. I particularly like the intuitive logic that makes battles more tactical.
    Read full review
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