Any Age of Empires II fans around here?

FriedPet

FriedPet

New member
I've got good news for you:D

http://www.hiddenpath.com/games/age-of-empires-ii-hd-edition/

AGE OF EMPIRES II HD ARRIVING APRIL 9

03/07/2013 by Eddie Makuch | Source: Gamespot
Microsoft today announced Age of Empires II HD Edition, a reimagining of the 1999 real-time strategy game. With Ensemble Studios closed, work on the updated version is being done by Hidden Path Entertainment (Defense Grid series, Counter Strike: Global Offensive).

Age of Empires II HD Edition will launch on April 9 exclusively through Steam across the world. Gamers won't need to wait that long to play, however, as those who prepurchase (at a 10 percent discount) will be able to jump in April 5.

Age of Empires II HD Edition includes every single-player campaign from the Age of Kings original and the Conquerors expansion, totaling 18 in all. In addition, gamers can challenge other Steam players through the game's online mode.

According to Microsoft, Age of Empires II HD Edition has been remastered for high-resolution displays at 1080p. It also includes an "enhanced visual engine" sporting improved textures for terrain, water and fire, and ambient lighting effects.

Steamworks features for Age of Empires II HD Edition include achievements, leaderboards, matchmaking, and cloud support. In addition, gamers can share user created content through the Steam Workshop.

Lastly, Microsoft revealed the minimum system requirements for Age of Empires II HD Edition today. They are listed below, along with the game's debut trailer.

Minimum System Requirements:
Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8 Pro
Steam Software Platform
900x600 minimum display resolution
Direct X 9 Capable GPU
1.2GHz CPU
1GB RAM
2GB HDD
Click to expand...

Steam link
 
Last edited:
As long as it's under $10 I'll buy it. As much as I love the game, I'm not going to pay more than R100 for it again.
 
Graal said:
As long as it's under $10 I'll buy it. As much as I love the game, I'm not going to pay more than R100 for it again.
Click to expand...

I bought this game back in 2001 even before I had a computer. I used to lie on my bed day dreaming how I would play this game...
It never worked on my dad's computer, no matter how many stuff I deleted I could never get his RAM up to 64mb :wtf:

Anyways. I lost those discs somewhere along the way. So I'll spend R150 on it again:D
 
FriedPet said:
I bought this game back in 2001 even before I had a computer. I used to lie on my bed day dreaming how I would play this game...
It never worked on my dad's computer, no matter how many stuff I deleted I could never get his RAM up to 64mb :wtf:

Anyways. I lost those discs somewhere along the way. So I'll spend R150 on it again:D
Click to expand...

Heh, I've bought it on three separate occasions since release. Once on it's own, then the Gold edition a while later and then the collector's edition that contained the first games as well. The age of empires series carried me through primary school and well into high school as well.

Never played AoE3 though.
 
Woah so hyped for this, remember back in the day friend at school would always say Aoe is better than starcraft and we would have debates for ages, eventually got me to play it and i have always enjoyed Aoe alot but sc always being my favourite :)
 
FriedPet said:
I bought this game back in 2001 even before I had a computer. I used to lie on my bed day dreaming how I would play this game...
It never worked on my dad's computer, no matter how many stuff I deleted I could never get his RAM up to 64mb :wtf:

Anyways. I lost those discs somewhere along the way. So I'll spend R150 on it again:D
Click to expand...

I still remember when I bought Age of Empires II Gold Edition. We went away on holiday, but I took the box along and spent hours reading through the manual. Had no computer to actually play it.

I still have that box, still install and play it now and again.
 
Sounds like it's not in the least bit worth buying. Terrible network code, no LAN support, multiplayer being region-locked.

I'll stick to the previous version. I was excited to see AoE2 HD become a thing, but if you want to bring an old game to the modern age, do it properly or not at all.
 
Graal said:
...multiplayer being region-locked....
Click to expand...

I can't imagine why they did this. It's pathetic. My Lobby is always empty, no one to play with:(

I haven't bought a good game yet this year. First SimCity, now this... Maybe I should go outside...:wtf:
:D
 
FriedPet said:
I can't imagine why they did this. It's pathetic. My Lobby is always empty, no one to play with:(

I haven't bought a good game yet this year. First SimCity, now this... Maybe I should go outside...:wtf:
:D
Click to expand...

Your lobby is empty because the game's multiplayer is region locked. Change your Steam cloud download region to UK London or to a US location, restart Steam. After that you should be able to find some players.
 
StoneCold said:
Your lobby is empty because the game's multiplayer is region locked. Change your Steam cloud download region to UK London or to a US location, restart Steam. After that you should be able to find some players.
Click to expand...

Thank you, I'll give that a try:).
 
I tried having a game with a friend in Cape Town and it would sometimes lag so badly for so long! "Waiting for players" style. It was really awesome though when it worked, even playing against the computer. The AI is absolutely useless, I'm really hoping some AI mods will be available on Steam soon. Graphics aren't really improved, just works on higher resolution, the units are just as ugly as in the old version.

It's probably worth $15 as opposed to $20, but the lag issues really need to be sorted asap!
 
This review from Metacritic hit the nail on the head.

10 for it being AoE:II 0 for the "lazy" execution This "HD" AoE is the same AoE we all know, with all its good things. BUT with all its bad things too! Other than cranking up some textures, some for the better, some for the worse and the removing of LAN support, they didn't change anything. With that said, I don't care about graphics. What I care about are "quality of life" features I simply expect from a RTS game that is being released in 2013. AoE:II is old and you can't only tell by its graphics.

Arbitrary low number of units that can be selected at one time (how are you supposed to manage your army of 400 units???), horrible path-finding, no real attack move, selecting more than one recruiting-building so that it divides the units between them doesn't work ect. Those were acceptable 15 years ago but not any more!

If you plan to play multiplayer, go for this version. If you don't then you probably should save yourself the 20$ and get the Forgotten Empires mod which also has a resolution fix for up to 1080p
Click to expand...

:(
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top