Age of Empires

 PC
User Score
8.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 439 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 350 out of 439
  2. Mixed: 67 out of 439
  3. Negative: 22 out of 439
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  1. IG44
    Aug 21, 2012
    10
    This game is a classic! It is one of the first RTS games and it is one of the best, but not the best... the best RTS is Age of Empires II, the true sequel worthy of the name! Age of Empires has good graphics even though it's 15 years old now... It's really fun and it is the definition how an RTS game should be made! An RTS shouldn't be an MMO like Age of Empires Online.
  2. Thomas
    Dec 2, 2009
    9
    I loved this game in 1997 and I still love it now. People will say the graphics have aged but I don't care, besides the elevations everything looks real, and though it does have some flaws (units standing around after they've completed something) it is still a great game.
  3. Disguised
    Sep 13, 2007
    10
    Age of Empires is such a good game.Tthe reasons I like it is that it's just basic gameplay with many missions and map choices and good cheats.
  4. Hallowfax
    Oct 18, 2007
    10
    AI was the worst thing of this game, but it was the best AoE in my opinion.
  5. Xtremerandom
    Dec 18, 2010
    9
    An outstanding example of what Ensemble Studios had to offer - it's such a shame that they no longer exist! The superb controls and expansive campaigns are only let down a little by the AI, which can be a little stupid at times.
  6. SubSys888
    Aug 20, 2011
    9
    Played this for many hours of enjoyment when it arrived on the scene. One of the best of its day and still a good game today. The graphics have, of course, become dated, but so what. This game is a lot of fun to play and is a whole lot better than some of the over-priced garbage which has hit the shelves in more recent times.
  7. Gregon
    Nov 20, 2014
    8
    A great game that popularized historical real time strategy games. A true classic with a wealth of innovative features. It had some user-interface issue which were subsequently remedied in its superior sequel AoE2.
  8. CheeseSteakJim
    Nov 14, 2015
    10
    Everyone played this game, everyone. So it needs no introduction. As far as skirmish type RTS games go, this is only second to Age of Empires 2. It now resides in the 'hall of fame' as a nostalgic masterpiece... probably hanging out with Starcraft.
  9. LollaV.
    Jul 20, 2007
    6
    Quite mediocre, especially if compared to the AWESOME, perfect-scored AoE II.
  10. Anon
    Dec 24, 2004
    6
    If you like the idea of building a city in historical times with average graphics then this is the game for you. This makes the game sound quite boring but it can become addictive. A 6 out of 10.
  11. DesmondL
    Jul 14, 2009
    9
    Age of Empires has little problem of AI. But is fun to play.
  12. gbarules2999T
    Sep 19, 2007
    6
    A little lame, I must say. While it is a fun little diversion and doesn't eat up your hard drive, the graphics have not aged well, the AI is very stale, and the game wasn't that groundbreaking ten years ago. While you can get the first and second game for ten dollars, just play with it to see where AoE II came from. Don't expect anything better. Go play Rise of Nations instead.
  13. tsakiym
    May 18, 2015
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I do not have to say anything. But i need to write one hundred and fifty characters. i think my score can describe it.................................… Expand
  14. Ben
    Jun 5, 2005
    10
    A classic game. I have no objection with saying that this is the second best strategy game I have played since Civ2. Awesome game play, great AI, great sound, very addictive and I could go on and on.
  15. Lucsan
    Oct 27, 2005
    9
    Excelent RTS.
  16. lucidanarchy
    May 27, 2012
    9
    This was the first RTS I ever played and I was entirely engrossed with the game. I enjoyed playing every aspect of the game even with mates. Excellent game.
  17. Alex_93
    Jun 18, 2012
    8
    Although graphics are unimpressive, gameplay impressed me.Although there are 12 civilizations,are the same units.
    Pathfinder is awful.
    The campaign attract you in, but after a while you get bored.But in skirmish and multiplayer matches are great.Combination with elements of Civilization is great.

    It's a revolutionary RTS!!!
  18. DominikCZE
    Nov 10, 2013
    9
    The game that started the best RTS series to ever see the light of the day. The only things that can be criticized about this one are the stupid AI and 50 population limit. Otherwise, great at its time, still fun today. Really a shame that Ensemble Studios were dissolved.
  19. joaopontesvaz
    May 12, 2015
    8
    Graphics: 7.8 Sound: 7.5 Gameplay: 8.8 Fun/Story: 8.2

    A great entry to RTS genre. Very nice and addicted gameplay. Graphics should be better but overall it´s a nice game.
  20. Ydun79
    Feb 11, 2019
    9
    First time I played this I can still remember it, that 's how big of an impact it made on me. This felt like a new step for PC gaming. Played it for countless hours, almost everyone of my generation did.
  21. Flack007
    Oct 16, 2014
    10
    I can still remember the demo version which came with Windows. It was really awesome game and I already bought full version. It's still my favourite strategy game.
  22. MIke_Levin
    Aug 22, 2016
    9
    I first played this game when I was 6-7 years old; it was in 1997-98. Boy, was this game addicting, and fun, and awesome. I was both scared and excited at each level I come across. Scared because each stage, in each civilization, was difficult and that I often lose. Yet for some reason, I always come back and try them again, and no one was influencing me on this. I always come back,I first played this game when I was 6-7 years old; it was in 1997-98. Boy, was this game addicting, and fun, and awesome. I was both scared and excited at each level I come across. Scared because each stage, in each civilization, was difficult and that I often lose. Yet for some reason, I always come back and try them again, and no one was influencing me on this. I always come back, feeling that maybe I I try it again and learn my mistakes, I'll be able to win it. That was my approach at each stage when I was a kid.

    As an adult, I was able to solve more battle problems easily. Yet, the game was still fun as hell. Sure, the graphics of this game isn't as beautiful as the nowadays. (what can you expect from a game in 1997 be compared to 2016). But in their time, their effects were considered great; it's still beautiful even now (just looks old, that's all). While the effects/CGI is debatable, the key is the game's content and strategy. Playing through this game teaches you and helps you develop a strategic mind, esp. to young children like I was when I first played them. Another good thing is their mode of difficulty: changing levels would change the A.I.'s intelligence level you're combating against, and that's vital for a real-time strategy game. You'd need that in order to develop your mind well, and the earlier you start it the better.

    Another good thing about this game is the history education. At every battle, there's a mission objective, hints, and history about them. I've fact-checked their histories, and (unless I'm wrong) none of them are BS. What ever history you read, you're safe to absorb them and be convinced that they're true. Ages of Empires is not only educational in developing a smart, strategic mind for young children, but also good (and maybe interesting) history lessons.    … Expand
  23. Camel11
    Dec 28, 2016
    9
    It deserves the HD treatment of AoE 2.

    A classic game that I revisit from time to time, however it suffers from archaic bugs and design philosophies which could be fixed with a potential HD Remaster.

    Pls make this dream come true!
  24. dlcatalin
    Jul 12, 2020
    8
    The first RTS i played as a child, imo it's the best RTS ever, but if i have to fair i'm going to give it a 8 because of the poor path-finding that is game breaking at certain times and the completely unfair broken campaigns. In some of them you barely manage to make 5 clubmen and the enemy drops a ship with like 10 elite units from the last age. GG good luck with that.
  25. YusufBey1453
    Apr 17, 2018
    7
    wololowololowololowololowololowololowololowololowololowololowololowololowololowololowololo
  26. RafaelBarrera
    Feb 21, 2019
    7
    It was one of the fathers of RTS video games. It was so innovative for 1997, but even being such an historical partof video games it had its problems.. I played it first in 2004 after playing Empire Earth, Age of Empires II... and it was boring for me, and I'm certain it was because of having played newer RTS video games, but still I didn't have a good feeling playing it. I understand howIt was one of the fathers of RTS video games. It was so innovative for 1997, but even being such an historical partof video games it had its problems.. I played it first in 2004 after playing Empire Earth, Age of Empires II... and it was boring for me, and I'm certain it was because of having played newer RTS video games, but still I didn't have a good feeling playing it. I understand how important it was for the industry tho, so I give it a 7/10.… Expand
  27. aralath
    Aug 7, 2018
    9
    Anyone with a slight interest to computer games definitely played this game.
  28. voditelnlo
    Dec 19, 2018
    8
    Gamers with an interest in history, and no aversion to a rather abstract rendition of same, should love the atmosphere and feel of the game. And anyone who appreciates a solid, lovingly-crafted work of design should appreciate the overall quality of this product.
  29. MatikTheSeventh
    Oct 10, 2020
    6
    The game was always really fun and the historical aspect of it is incredible, but I always liked its successor more.
  30. Amorph0us
    Jan 8, 2022
    9
    All THIS started at 1997, which is huge. There were good RTS games back then, but not something like that. Which was made perfect with the second release of course.
  31. SilverOrlov
    Sep 25, 2019
    9
    This game was like “strategic discovery” for me and made a very strong impression. As well as gave me a lot of exciting hours of game-play.
  32. cezar88augusto
    Sep 26, 2020
    10
    This is the first game in the acclaimed Age of Empires series. I didn't play for long, because when I played Age of Empire II, especially The Conquerors, I didn't want to play the first version. It deserves full note, because it was the beginning of everything! Note: I still have the CD. :)
  33. Torgall
    Dec 13, 2020
    9
    Ah such a classic. Although the nostalgia definitely changes perception of good old game, but Age of Empire is there reason I like real-time strategies.
  34. Mazma
    Dec 25, 2020
    7
    Ormai vecchio, ma ancora totalmente giocabile lo ritengo il padre degli RTS.
  35. marcin_berman
    Apr 4, 2021
    10
    This game is very immersive. The audio is superb, legendary. The gameplay is a canon RTS gameplay. The civilisations have unique perspectives. Naturally its a 25 years old game, but this is still very playable.
  36. kndr
    May 23, 2021
    2
    After playing aom this feels like a chore. It is just boring and nothing really appeal me.
  37. Misterdiony
    May 17, 2021
    9
    Among the best RTS games and one of my very first games ever played. It paved the way for many more to come and is still unforgettable to this day.
  38. Woolee
    Sep 28, 2021
    10
    This game is a classic! It is one of the first RTS games and it is one of the best, but not the best... the best RTS is Age of Empires II, the true sequel worthy of the name! Age of Empires has good graphics even though it's 15 years old now... It's really fun and i
  39. emre-kumas
    Jun 27, 2023
    7
    Age of Empires, a groundbreaking real-time strategy game released in 1997, remains a significant entry in the genre. With its historical backdrop, resource management mechanics, and tactical warfare, it captivated players and paved the way for future strategy games.

Awards & Rankings

9
#9 Best PC Game of 1997
5
#5 Most Discussed PC Game of 1997
3
#3 Most Shared PC Game of 1997

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
83

Generally favorable reviews - based on 9 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. Game Revolution
    83
    Despite its flaws, Age of Empires is great fun to play. The graphics and sound effects are of high quality, and the computer plays a respectable game. In fact, there is a very large selection of AIs to choose from in the scenario editor.
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  2. All Game Guide
    90
    Combines great graphics, real-time strategy and an intriguing plot (our own history!) to raise a phoenix from the ashes of wayside, ordinary strategy games.
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  3. Computer Games Magazine
    100
    Gamers with an interest in history, and no aversion to a rather abstract rendition of same, should love the atmosphere and feel of the game. And anyone who appreciates a solid, lovingly-crafted work of design should appreciate the overall quality of this product.
    Read full review
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