Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings is a 1999 real-time strategy video game developed by Ensemble Studios and published by Microsoft. It is the second game in the Age of Empires series. The Age of Kings is set in the Middle Ages where players aim to gather resources, which they use to build towns, create armies, and defeat their enemies.

Campaign

Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings offers an extensive single-player experience with a campaign that’s both diverse and challenging. The game immerses players in a rich historical narrative, bringing to life key events from the medieval period. Each mission is carefully crafted to reflect historical accuracy, allowing players to control iconic figures like Joan of Arc and William Wallace. The campaign’s variety keeps the gameplay fresh, with scenarios ranging from grand battles to strategic defenses, ensuring hours of engaging content. The missions are not only a test of strategic thinking but also serve as a fascinating journey through history, making the campaign one of the game’s standout features. Whether you’re reliving epic battles or managing resources in a siege, The Age of Kings provides a rewarding experience that appeals to both history enthusiasts and strategy gamers alike.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Gameplay

Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings remains a standout in the RTS genre, with solid mechanics that have aged remarkably well. The gameplay is well-balanced, emphasizing strategic thinking and resource management. The variety of cultures, each with unique technologies, offers diverse playstyles, adding depth and replayability. While the online and multiplayer modes are robust, I haven’t fully explored them. The game does present a steep learning curve due to its complexity, but the rewards for mastering it are substantial. However, there are occasional glitches with AI pathfinding, which can be frustrating. Additionally, I wish the map had a zoom feature for better navigation. Despite these minor issues, Age of Empires II is a classic that continues to provide a rich, engaging experience for strategy enthusiasts.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Production

Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings offers a visually detailed in-game experience, even if some animations have started to show their age. The graphics are rich and vibrant, with each civilization and unit designed with care, contributing to an immersive atmosphere. However, the cinematics have not aged well; they feel outdated and lack the polish of modern standards. Despite this, the overall visual appeal during gameplay remains strong, providing a nostalgic charm that holds up over time.

The sound design, on the other hand, is a standout feature. Every action, from the clash of swords to the ambient sounds of bustling towns, is brought to life with impressive clarity. The music, while good, lacks memorability, though a few themes manage to reflect the unique essence of the civilizations being played. These moments of thematic brilliance add a layer of cultural depth to the game. In summary, while Age of Empires II may show its age in certain areas, its strong sound design and detailed in-game graphics continue to make it a classic worth revisiting.

Rating: 4 out of 5

The Verdict

In the end, Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings is without a doubt one of the best RTS games on the market. Despite some minor nitpicks with some of the mechanics, the overall gaming experience stands strong even today. The game features tons of great gameplay mechanics, tons and tons of modes, an extensive and challenging single player campaign, competitive multiplayer, and even DLC that’s still being developed til this day. Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings gets 4 out of 5. For players who enjoy employing strategy and testing themselves, this is definitely the game for you.