Summary
It’s hard not to refer to theAge of Empiresfranchise when talking about great RTS titles. Originally released in 1997, the series has been going strong for almost twenty-five years. The release ofAge of Empires 4has once again reignited interest in the popular series, with most fans still finding it hard to believe that they could finally enjoy another newAoEgame after what felt like the longest time. While it has been a while since the latestAge of Empiresgame graced most PCs, the announcement of a console variant is definitely exciting for Xbox players who were interested in this title but didn’t have a platform to play it on.
But which entry in the franchise is the best? With so many excellent mainline entries, it can be difficult to decide which ones deserve the top slots. However, particular titles often possess that “special something” that sets them above the rest. After all, there’s a reason why fans and critics alike love these games so much. While players are bound to have their own subjective preferences, most of them would agree that there are some games in the series that are technically superior to others for a whole host of reasons.
Updated on July 08, 2025 by Rhenn Taguiam:With Age of Empires 3: Definitive Edition - Chronicles: Battle for Greece providing players with added strategic depth to their gameplay courtesy of more naval mechanics, fans of the RTS may be able to enjoy more dynamic gameplay now that even the seas can be a part of their strategy against other players. And while titles like Age of Empires 2 maintain a status of being an iconic Age of Empires title, fans might wonder just what other Age of Empires games are worth exploring if they’re eager to spice their gameplay with an RTS experience. In this regard, fans may be interested to learn just what each Age of Empires title offered the franchise, especially with most of the titles getting their own HD and Definitive Editions.
Age of Mythologyis a game that took things in a bold and interesting direction for theAoEseries, letting players enjoy a familiar gameplay loop with some mythological twists that really made the formula feel fresh. What wowed players in this title was the story mode, with Arkantos being a riveting protagonist who interacts with numerous mythological heroes across Greek, Egyptian, and Norse cultures before facing off against a god whom he idolized for the longest time.
With the reveal ofAge of Mythology: Untold, fans can’t wait to “prostagma” all over their enemies once again as they replay this campaign and check out this tried-and-tested gameplay loop. Given that this game will be a remake from the ground up, players can only wait and see whether the gameplay is completely overhauled, or just has some minor tweaks sprinkled throughout the otherwise tried-and-trueAge of Empiresmechanics.
iOS, Android
Publisher
Microsoft
There’s no denying that the free-to-play label has a bad reputation. Many players assume any game that’s free has negative qualities for many reasons. However, there are times when these free games wow players with how technically excellent and fun they are to play. Some can feature a strong core gameplay loop without compelling players to purchase in-game microtransactions. Unfortunately,Age of Empiresdidn’t translate well to a free-to-play model.
Age of Empires: World Dominationended up being discontinued just a year after its release, despite featuring a steady stream of updates andunique civilizations that are a staple of this series. However, the game itself launched after numerous delays that pretty much killed any hype it could have generated. It didn’t help that the gameplay was a shallow imitation of the popular RTS series. It failed to entice any long-timeAoEfans to play the game for more than a few days. Many quickly grew bored and dejected, seeing the title as a soulless cash grab.
Age Of Empires: World Domination: What Made It Unique?
Although shut down in 2016,World Dominationwas an interesting take on converting the RTS gameplay ofAge of Empiresfor handheld smartphones. The game features a “home world” component that is managed with gameplay akin toClash of Clans, with structures that are constantly upgraded and units unlocked and improved. The RTS component of the game comes in its Campaign missions and Conquest multiplayer component, where players are thrust into faster-paced versions of the RTS complete with resource gathering, building, and upgrades, as well as unit deployment.
Xbox Game Studios
The gameplay of theAge of Empiresseries is well-known for its blend of resource management andtactical, military strategy. Due in part to its own popularity, the franchise has experimented with alternative styles of gameplay in order to appeal to an even wider audience.
EnterAge of Empires: Castle Siege. This online multiplayer tower defense game discards many familiar features of the mainline entries. Like most tower defense games, most of the gameplay boils down to one objective: Destroy the enemy’s keep while defending the player’s settlement. It’s an unusual departure from thedetailed, historical immersionthat most fans are accustomed to.
Age Of Empires: Castle Siege: What Made It Unique?
Unlike other games,Castle Siegeemphasizes the development of a Castle with surrounding buildings, a la mobile tower defense titles. Players develop and maintain a Castle and its structures, training units in order to attack the Castles of other players. Structures are upgraded to fend themselves from enemy attack more efficiently, and tech upgrades now include ways of “buffing” the city’s defensive capabilities such as lessening the amount of resources looted should their Castle be pillaged.
By 2013,Age of Empires 2was showing its age. Nevertheless, fans refused to give up on it. Spearheaded by Hidden Path Entertainment, the game was given a fresh coat of paint. In addition to the visuals, theHD Editionalso includedThe Forgottenexpansion, which originally existed as a fan-made project. Mod support through the Steam Workshop was another welcome addition.
The HD Edition, although it didn’t exactly reinvent the wheel, reinvigorated the franchise’s most beloved title. Capitalizing on its success, the developers later released two brand-new expansions for the HD Edition,The African KingdomsandRise of the Rajas. A game that is old and still getting official expansions says something about its enduring adoration.
Age Of Empires 2: HD Edition: What Made It Unique?
As a high-def edition ofAOE 2, theAge of Empires 2: HD Edition’s major features focus on updating the classic game for modern hardware. On top of graphical improvements and AI improvements, this edition of the game introduces new maps, quality-of-life features, a 500 Population cap, as well as a Spectator Mode that was likely built to accommodate its multiplayer lobbies and leaderboards.
The 1997 version ofAge of Empiresis a nightmare to play on modern systems. In 2018, Microsoft decided to blow the dust off this ancient relic. Although the release was a bit rocky,Age of Empires: Definitive Editionis the best way to revisit this blast from the past.
Graphically, the game receives the HD treatment with 4K support added for good measure. In addition, the quality of the sound is much crisper and more satisfying to hear. The pathfinding, an essential element in anyAge of Empiresgame, is also given some desperately needed tweaking, along with other small quality-of-life improvements.
Age Of Empires: Definitive Edition: What Made It Unique?
Being the most “modern” version of the classic,Age of Empires: Definitive Editionis known for revamping the overall graphics of the game alongside new features such as Achievements and even a Classic Mode that brings players back to the 1997 original. In terms of major changes, players now have access to mixed tech and unit queues, UI changes, unit stances and an Attack move, as well as automated functionalities for some units.
Age of Empires Onlineis another departure from the original formula. Instead of focusing on a single-player experience, this particular entry establishesan online multiplayer component. Players select a civilization and can partake in a variety of PvE and PvP content.
In 2014, the game’s official servers shut down. However,Age of Empires Onlinewas revived by an independent group of developers under the nameProject Celeste. It seeks to continueMicrosoft’s initial vision and is currently free-to-play. It serves as a fun, if not particularly memorable, diversion from the more established entries.
Age Of Empires Online: What Made It Unique?
Although it officially shut down in 2014 (but resurrected as Project Celeste),Age of Empires Onlinewas an interesting addition to the franchise. In terms of overall gameplay,Onlineseemed like a slower version ofAge of Empires 2with a more defined multiplayer matchmaking mechanic. However, the game introduces a Capital City that players can tinker with and customize as a “hub” area for quest and tech management. Its introduction of unique mechanics further expands the scope ofAge of Empiresgameplay at the time.
Whenever something uses the title “definitive edition,” it usually means that a particular version is the best when compared to all the others.Age of Empires 3: Definitive Editionimproves upon many of the lingering flaws inherent in the original release. Features that were previously absent are now also available in the new version.
In addition to the graphics, which receive the 4K treatment, theDefinitive Editionincludes new civilizations, sounds, assets, and animations. The AI, in particular, is much sharper on the draw, challenging the player on more even ground without relying on cheating. Despite some bugs, the whole package is by far superior to its 2005 counterpart.
Age Of Empires 3: Definitive Edition: What Made It Unique?
Similar to otherDefinite Editions, the upgradedAge of Empires 3: Definitive Editionupgrades the game with better graphics, a remastered soundtrack, and overhauled multiplayer and cross-network options. The AI received an upgrade, while Home Cities received alterations to their overall mechanics for streamlined gameplay. Explorers can now Auto Scout, while buildings can be rotated easily for more customization. In speaking of the latter, players can now customize their UI to toggle between Default, Definitive, and Classic options.
Age of Empirestried its hand at many handheld titles. At this time, most major releases were accompanied by various alternate titles made for varying platforms, a trend that has almost completely died out. However, what most people don’t know aboutAge of Empires: Mythologiesis that the game isn’t a real-time strategy title at all. Instead, it utilizes turn-based gameplay, which is certainly different.
The manner in which this game captures the classicAge of Mythologygameplay in a turn-based setting should be lauded. These efforts are commendable and do a great job of letting players without access to the PC release enjoy a different version that has its own merits. Of course, given how niche this title was, it’s a shame that more people don’t talk about this DS release. It deserves to be way more than just a simple footnote in the history of theAge of Empiresfranchise.
Age Of Empires: Mythologies: What Made It Unique?
The Nintendo DS title is heavily based onAge of Mythology, although this time with a turn-based element instead of RTS. Units take one action each turn, where players task them to build units or attack enemies - all while building up their reserves to advance to the next Age. Each available Civilization - Greeks, Egyptians, and the Norse - provide players with one of three gods they can access before the start of each match.
TheAge of Empireshas tried to break into the portable market time and again.The Age of Kingswas a release of this popular RTS title on the Nintendo DS that was pretty impressive despite the limited strength of the console’s hardware. Despite having a limited number of civilizations and no online multiplayer,The Age of Kingswas an excellent translation of the series' patented gameplay loop on portable hardware.
The game does have its fair share of technical issues, but players who look past this problem will enjoy a solid strategy game that deserves way more popularity than it currently does.The campaign may not be as detailed or lengthy as the mainline entries, but that is to be expected in a portable title with limited space.
Age Of Empires: The Age Of Kings: What Made It Unique?
Although it had the same subtitle asAge of Empires 2, the Nintendo DS title is a unique take on a handheld experience courtesy of its turn-based gameplay. Surprisingly enough, the game isn’t simplified but rather had “condensed” mechanics to fit its new turn-based format. Instead of units just being able to move and attack, certain units have Powers or Build commands. Meanwhile, terrain now have special properties that indicate what buildings can be built there, or which units have advantage. Tech trees are just as complex, but are made more manageable with arrows and convenient tooltips.
Age of Empires 3ushered in a new historical era for the series. Moving away from ancient and medieval Europe,Age of Empires 3instead focuses on colonial America. Its campaign chronicles the exploits of the Black family, a story that spans three generations. Two expansion packs,The WarChiefs,andThe Asian Dynastiesadded additional civilizations and story content.
One ofAge of Empires 3’s most striking features at the time was its graphics. That, along with a new physics system, makes the combat much more fun. The “Home City” concept also adds an extra layer to resource management. Players can deploy useful shipments at strategic moments to help tip the scales in their favor. All of these features were welcome, even if some people felt there was a spark missing in this title that prevented it from being just as iconic as its predecessors.
Age Of Empires 3: What Made It Unique?
Compared toAge of Empires 2, the overall gameplay ofAge of Empires 3introduced fairly radical concepts that made it seem like a totally different game compared to its predecessors. The most unique change to the game would be the concept of Home Cities and Cards, where the player’s chosen Civilization has a “separate” home base that can be customized with effects. Whenever players achieve certain milestones in a match, the Home City can send a “shipment” with a card effect that can give players a specific feature or advantage - focusing long-term and short-term foresight. Players can now be made in batches, facilitating faster-paced combat.
Age of Empires 4represents yet another solid addition to the franchise. For fans looking to experience even more medieval action,Age of Empires 4is a great choice. As far as controls and accessibility are concerned, it’seasier than ever to manage a sprawling base. The civilizations themselves are given a lot of depth in terms of their units, special abilities, structures, and how they advance through the ages. The campaigns are engaging, covering familiarflashpoints of medieval historyin a manner that’s more informative than previous entries.
Of course,Age of Empires 4has its drawbacks as well. The graphics are nothing special, and the combat mechanics remain formulaic. Although the intro presentations in the campaigns are enlightening, they lack a certain degree of creativity that made the campaigns inAge of Empires 2so memorable. Hearing the same voice in a storybook-style narration becomes dull after a while. It’s the lack of little, inventive details that makes this game a bit inferior to the next entry.
Age Of Empires 4: What Made It Unique?
Compared to its predecessor,Age of Empires 4blends mechanics from across previous installments for a more unique experience. Drop-off buildings are now in charge of collecting resources and are the source of their own upgrades (instead of the Market), forcing players to be strategic where to place these buildings as the wrong setup can hurt their supply lines. This is exacerbated by the Influence system, as structures built within a range of specific other buildings get particular bonuses. Units are now queued individually, placing more emphasis in the creation and management of military structures. Landmarks are now mandatory to age up, with two choices (and bonuses) offered each, and the unchosen Landmark being unavailable in the subsequent age. Wonder Victories return fromAOE 2, where players in the Imperial Age can win the game by defending their base for 15 minutes after building a Wonder - which can be challenging, as the game notifies all enemies if they are currently constructing the said structure. Meanwhile, holding all Sacred Sites in a map for 10 minutes will grant a Sacred Site Victory.
