Age of Empires II is back, again, as Microsoft's new Definitive Edition remaster of the classic real-time strategy title has released on PC across the Microsoft Store, Steam, and the Xbox Game Pass for PC subscription program. Pre-loads have unlocked as well, giving those who were prepared instant access to begin their empire conquering.
Arriving almost exactly 20 years after the original 1999 release, and over six years after the HD version, the new Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition carries all the content from those two releases - including all expansions - and has added on a large number of additional features and elements.
The Definitive Edition carries the all-new The Last Khans three-chapter single-player campaign, while Bulgarians, Cumans, Lithuanians, and Tatars also join in as new civilizations, bumping the total number up to 35.
The classic can now be played in 4K, and heralds upgraded graphics and effects, a spectator mode, zooming capabilities, as well as remastered sound effects and music, among other features. Quality of life improvements like automatic farm reseeding, easier micro-managing, smarter AI that doesn't cheat - which can be switched to the original AI -, better pathing, an upgraded UI, and others have been implemented as well.
Cross-play is also enabled between Microsoft Store and Steam versions. Here are the minimum and recommended hardware specifications for both of them:
Minimum
- OS: Windows 10 64bit
- Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo | AMD Athlon 64x2 5600+
- Memory: 4GB
- Graphics: Nvidia GeForce GT 420 | ATI Radeon HD 6850 | Intel HD Graphics 3000
- Video Memory: 2GB
- Storage: 30 GB available space
Recommended
- OS: Windows 10 64bit
- Processor: 2.4 GHz i5 or greater or AMD equivalent
- Memory: 8GB
- Graphics: Nvidia GTX 650 | AMD HD 5850 or better
- Video Memory: 4GB
- Storage: 30 GB available space
Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition is now available for purchase on the Microsoft Store and Steam, coming in at $19.99. Xbox Game Pass for PC subscribers can also jump in right now and work on their Priests' Wololo abilities.
Looking towards the future of the series, it seems Microsoft will finally be unveiling Age of Empires IV during its X019 opening event later today. See here about how to catch it live.
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