But there are benefits that come from having a persistent world that’s almost like a massively multiplayer online game. That’s a trade-off that will make the game more marketable. It has a different art style and you most likely won’t be playing massive battles in the online version, as was possible in the older games. The online-only downloadable game won’t be the same experience as Age of Empires. Taylor said that created the opportunity for Gas Powered Games to step in and finish the game, which still doesn’t have a launch date but is slated to come out this year. Now it has moved on to another game, Orcs Must Die. Robot was started by former Ensemble Studios veterans and it began work on the online game two years ago.
Gas Powered Games has specialized in real-time strategy (where you fight enemies that move at the same time as your own forces), having made ground-breaking games in the PC-focused genre such as Supreme Commander.Įverybody fretted over the death of real-time strategy when Microsoft shut down Ensemble Studios (the original developer of Age of Empires) a couple of years ago. He disclosed that his company had been working with Robot Entertainment on the project and was now taking over as lead developer on Age of Empires Online. If you’re looking for similar games, check out Rise of Nations, Command & Conquer, or StarCraft.As I approached the game at Microsoft’s event this week in San Francisco, I was surprised to run into Chris Taylor, the zany chief executive of Gas Powered Games. Age of Empires is the definitive real-time strategy series. Is there a better alternative?Not at all.
Where can you run this program? You’ll see that Forgotten Empires, the studio behind this HD remake, has only released the game for Windows PCs running Windows Vista or later. While Resident Evil and Final Fantasy received a visual overhaul, Age of Empires did not. This remaster doesn’t buff up graphics like other HD remakes. The game’s charming, early-millenium visuals are still intact. Fans of the original’s campaigns will be pleased with the new, fully-voiced exploits on the campaign menu. They’ve added 12 new civilizations so far and dozens of new maps. Forgotten Empires is bringing fresh content to the game with its new expansion packs. It has revived the multiplayer community, making it easier to dominate opponents online. Steam Workshop support is a huge addition that increases modding community engagement.
Age of Empires II is a modern update to the series that made real-time strategy games mainstream.įans should expect plenty of new features that are well worth the price tag.
That ought to perk up some ears and get the bloodbath started. Keep an eye out for increased map sizes and populations as well. This remaster by Forgotten Empires adds support for widescreens and newer operating systems. Despite no major release for the series since 2005, it’s still going strong with Age of Empires II: HD Edition. The Age of Empires franchise dates back to 1997. Age of Empires II: HD Edition is a modern update to the series that made real-time strategy games mainstream.