Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition

About the Game

Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition was released on November 14, 2019 as a remastered version of the original 1999 Age of Empires II. It features enhanced 4K graphics, remastered audio, updated gameplay and a greatly expanded collection of civilizations and campaigns. The current edition includes 42 civilizations and 229 campaign missions, together with single-player, co-op and multiplayer modes.

The core gameplay is based on real-time economic and military management. Players begin with a small settlement and villagers, gather Food, Wood, Gold and Stone, construct buildings, research technologies and train armies. Progression through the Dark, Feudal, Castle and Imperial Ages unlocks progressively more advanced military and economic options.

Combat includes infantry, archers, cavalry, siege weapons and naval units. Each civilization has its own technology tree, unique units and bonuses, creating different strategic approaches. Players can also create custom Skirmish battles, participate in Ranked Multiplayer, play co-op campaigns and create scenarios using the integrated editor.

The single-player content is organized primarily into historical campaigns. Each campaign follows a particular historical figure, civilization or conflict and consists of a series of scenarios with different objectives. The Definitive Edition has continued to receive major expansions that significantly increase the scope of the game.

The Greek historical content is particularly extensive in the Chronicles: Battle for Greece expansion, released on November 14, 2024. Its 21-scenario campaign covers the Ionian Revolt, the Greco-Persian Wars and the Peloponnesian War, including Marathon, Thermopylae and Salamis. Historical figures include Leonidas, Themistocles, Pericles, Lysander, Brasidas and Artemisia.

The expansion adds the Athenians, Spartans and Achaemenids, together with 55 new land units, 19 naval units and 85 buildings. It also introduces an Antiquity-era progression system and a redesigned naval combat system specifically suited to the ancient setting.

Chronicles: Alexander the Great, released on October 14, 2025, adds an 18-scenario campaign following the rise and conquests of Alexander the Great. It introduces the Macedonians, Thracians and Puru, as well as an adaptable campaign army and animated mosaic cutscenes.

DLC / Expansions

Lords of the West (2021), Dawn of the Dukes (2021), Dynasties of India (2022), Return of Rome (2023), The Mountain Royals (2023), Victors and Vanquished (2024), Chronicles: Battle for Greece (2024), Chronicles: Alexander the Great (2025), The Three Kingdoms (2025), The Last Chieftains (2026) and The Viking Sagas (2026).

The Viking Sagas, released on September 22, 2026, is the latest expansion and introduces the Danes, Saxons and Varangians, along with three campaigns and 15 new single-player scenarios.

Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition Trailer