Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings vs Age of Empires
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, ratings, and alternatives.
Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings is a classic real‑time strategy game that lets players command medieval civilizations across multiple ages. Build economies, train armies, and wage wars on detailed historical maps. The game offers both a robust single‑player campaign and competitive multiplayer modes, delivering deep strategic gameplay that has stood the test of time.
Age of Empires is a classic real-time strategy game that lets players guide ancient societies from the Stone Age to the Iron Age. Gather resources, train armies, and wage wars across historically inspired maps. The game offers both single‑player campaigns and multiplayer battles, delivering deep strategic gameplay with a strong historical flavor. Its intuitive interface and balanced units make it a timeless staple for strategy enthusiasts.
- Deep strategic depth with multiple civilizations
- Rich historical campaign and lore
- Strong multiplayer community and LAN support
- Extensive modding and map‑creation tools
- Deep strategic gameplay
- Rich historical setting
- Robust single‑player and multiplayer modes
- High replay value with varied civilizations
- Outdated graphics compared to modern RTS titles
- Steep learning curve for new players
- Limited official support and updates
- Outdated graphics by modern standards
- Steep learning curve for new players
- Limited online matchmaking infrastructure
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Alternatives to Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings
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Expand your empire with historic Roman campaigns and deep strategy
Alternatives to Age of Empires
View all →Lead historic civilizations to victory in timeless real‑time strategy battles.
Expand your empire with historic Roman campaigns and deep strategy
The Verdict
AI-generated from listing dataAge of Empires is the safer default for budget-conscious buyers seeking higher critical acclaim, while Age of Empires II offers medieval warfare, map-creation tools, and higher pricing.
Key differences
- •Age of Empires covers ancient civilizations (Greeks, Egyptians, Persians) and a tech tree system, whereas Age of Empires II focuses on medieval units across four distinct ages with a robust map editor.
- •Age of Empires costs $29.99 with a 92/100 critic score, while Age of Empires II is priced at $39.99 with an 80/100 critic score.
- •Age of Empires II supports up to 8 players in multiplayer and includes extensive modding tools, whereas Age of Empires features 15 unique civilizations (not specified for Age II - wait, campaign has 15 civilizations in AoE II, while AoE has multiple).
- •Age of Empires was released in October 1997 by Ensemble Studios and Microsoft/MacSoft Games, while Age of Empires II was released in September 1999 by Ensemble Studios and Microsoft/Konami.
Gameplay & fun factor
Age of Empires achieved a higher critic score of 92/100 compared to Age of Empires II's 80/100.
Platform availability
Both games are developed by Ensemble Studios with single-player and multiplayer support; specific platforms are not fully detailed.
Price & value
Age of Empires is cheaper at $29.99 (one-time) compared to Age of Empires II at $39.99 (one-time).
Multiplayer / co-op
Age of Empires II supports up to 8 players in multiplayer, whereas Age of Empires simply supports LAN or online.
Content & replayability
Age of Empires II features a robust map editor for custom scenarios and 15 unique civilizations in its historical campaign.
Difficulty & accessibility
Both titles share the same cons of a steep learning curve for new players and outdated graphics.
Graphics & performance
Both games share the con of outdated graphics by modern standards.
Choose Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings if…
Players looking for medieval warfare, custom map-creation tools, and up to 8-player multiplayer.
Choose Age of Empires if…
Buyers wanting ancient civilizations, a lower price point, and higher critical acclaim.
Common questions
Which game is less expensive?
Age of Empires is cheaper with an MSRP of $29.99, while Age of Empires II has an MSRP of $39.99.
Which game has better critic reviews?
Age of Empires has a higher critic score of 92/100, compared to Age of Empires II's score of 80/100.
Does either game include a map editor for custom content?
Age of Empires II includes a robust map editor to create and share custom scenarios, which is not listed as a feature for Age of Empires.