The Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings is a popular real-time strategy game from Microsoft that was released in 1999. It is the second entry in the popular Age of Empires series, which began with the Age of Empires in 1997. The game has spread to players of all ages, having earned the status of a modern classic and one of the most successful entries in the real-time strategy genre.
Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings was developed by Ensemble Studios and published by Microsoft’s game label. It runs on the Genie game engine, which also runs Age of Empires and Age of Mythology. The game features five different historically-based civilizations – Britons, Byzantines, Celts, Franks, and Mongols – that the player is able to choose from, each with its own unique technology tree, civilization bonuses, and resource trade-offs. As with most real-time strategy games, the goal of Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings is to build an empire powerful enough to survive and dominate the world. To do so, the player must expand their own empire by building towns and cities, gathering resources, training and managing military forces, and engaging in diplomatic relations with other civilizations.
Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings has been praised for its impressive graphics, varied civilizations, and its robust gameplay. The game also has an excellent AI, making it challenging and engaging for a wide range of players. The game’s soundtrack is a collection of several Renaissance-Era pieces composed by Stephen Rippy, further enhancing the game’s immersive atmosphere.
But perhaps the most significant factor in Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings’ continuing popularity is its multi-player support. It features an extensive system of ranked and unranked tournaments, a well-integrated matchmaking system, and dedicated servers for hosting matches and tournaments. With the sheer number of players participating in these activities every day, it is no surprise that Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings has achieved such a high level of success.
Many fan-made add-ons and modifications to the game have also increased its longevity, granting players hundreds of hours of additional content and depth. From the AOC Tournament Edition and the Forgotten Empires expansion to the High Definition edition and even the Game of the Year Edition, these additions make Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings a game that never ceases to feel fresh and exciting.
All in all, Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings has remained extremely popular for over twenty years, earning an overwhelming number of awards and accolades. It is one of the most beloved games in the entire real-time strategy genre, and continues to be played and enjoyed by gamers of all ages. Its tremendous longevity and popularity is a testament to the game’s high quality and universal appeal, and a reminder that classic games with timeless appeal can still stand the test of time.
