Who has not ever taken a Age of Empires? Is real-time strategy video game franchise It is already almost as mythological as the themes of its titles, since it celebrates this 2022 nothing more and nothing less than 25 years. The saga has even survived the closure of the studio that created it. Its main line of video games is very well defined and has remained quite static over time. On the other hand, some more modern experiments have failed precisely because they took away from Age of Empires its essence. In this post we will talk about All the games that make up this fruitful saga, as well as celebrations and news for its 25th anniversary.
main line of Age of Empires
The franchise Age of Empires The series is divided into two clearly differentiated parts. On the one hand, we have the main line, with the most popular games that everyone knows. On the other hand, we have the spin-offs, which Microsoft has used to try to innovate or expand the series, although not always successfully. Here we detail the main titles of the base line.
Age of Empires (1997)
The first of all Age of Empires It arrived in 1997, developed by Ensemble Studios and published and distributed by Microsoft, a formula that will be repeated until the dissolution of the studio in 2009. In this first title, the player had to develop a civilization based on collecting materials, improving your infrastructure and building an empire of the Iron Age. You could choose between 12 civilizations, each with its peculiarities and technologies.
The development was very simple. We started in the Stone agewe were advancing towards Tool Age (Neolithic), we followed the game in the Bronze Age and, finally, the game ended in the iron age, where we would win the game. Each advance brought the player different improvements and tools.
El Age of Empires originally had four campaigns, a way of random map and even multiplayer mode where 8 players could participate. A year after its release, Age of Empires received its first expansion packs, Called The Rise of Rome, with several extra civilizations and graphical improvements, as well as some improvements in the gameplay. This first title of the saga it was remastered and it was republished in the years 2018 under the title Age of Empires: Definitive Edition.
Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings (1999)
Barely a year after the expansion of Age of Empires, the same study launched the second part of the game. This title is not only the most famous of the saga, but it is also considered the best of all by most players.
The eras would undergo a change, and now it would be time to go through the Dark Age, the feudal age, the Age of the Castless and, finally, the imperial age. The gameplay was improved, but the mechanics remained the same, with its four types of resources to make all the materials necessary to raise the era. you could choose between 13 civilizations different, which were also balanced. Each of them also had a unique architectural style.
Following in the footsteps of its predecessor, Age of Empires II it also had an expansion within a year of its release. Currently has 4 expansions, but several of them arrived relatively recently. They are the following:
- Age of Empires II: The Conquerors (2000)
- Age of Empires II HD: The Forgotten (2013)
- Age of Empires II HD: The African Kingdoms (2015)
- Age of Empires II HD: Rise of Rajas (2016)
Age of Empires III (2005)
With Age of Mythology in between, which was the first spin off of the saga and of which we will speak to you later, Ensemble Studios resumed the main line of the game. He improved an IP that was already round by itself, adding the trade and putting some touches of RPG mechanics.
In 2006 it would receive its first expansion, The War Chiefs, which would add three Native American civilizations. In 2007 three more civilizations joined with The Asian Dynasties, the second expansion pack.
The only problem with this title is that could never overshadow his predecessor. Still, in 2020, Age of Empires III returned to the first division again with its remastered version: Age of Empires III: Final Edition. As in the previous case, DLCs have been released for this game.
In April 2021, the game received the United States map. A few months later the expansion arrived The Royals, with two unprecedented African civilizations. And before the end of the year, Forgotten Empires (one of the two studios behind these new versions) announced that they are working on one more expansion.
Age of Empires IV (2021)
All the effort and money invested by Microsoft to relaunch the brand Age of Empires were consummated andnAge of Empires IV, developed by Relic Entertainment. This title return to the origins of Age of Empires II, that is, go back to the Middle Ages ..,
The video game premieres new graphic engine, with better details and with a interface much more elaborate. On the other hand, the title sacrifice the number of civilizations, reducing their number with respect to Age of Empires II. There are 4 campaigns different and a total of 8 civilizations. In return, each and every one of them is more complex. They feel totally different and will invite us to develop mechanical moves. Despite this, the fundamental base created by Ensemble Studios is still there, which goes to show the great respect with which Relic and Microsoft have pampered this saga.
spin-offs of Age of Empires
In addition to the mainline series, the franchise has had several forays outside its usual format, in the form of spin-offs. Some were moderate successes, while others failed to capture the attention of fans.
Next we leave you with the different versions that are left out of the main line of games.
Age of Mythology (2002)
Strike to greatness in 1999, Ensemble Studios explored a alternative route in 2002. Using some of the mechanics of its predecessor, the game invited us to choose between Egyptians, Nordics and Greeks. Each civilization was an expert in a subject, and the ultimate goal was to please the gods. In 2003 the expansion was added The Titans, which would enrich the game with an extra civilization, Atlantean.
Unlike other sagas that quickly drowned after repeating the formula for success, this game showed that by varying some of the elements of the previous game, it was possible keep player hooked without actually burning it in a few years.
Age of Empires: Online (2011)
This spin off came after Microsoft shut down Ensemble Studios after the development of Halo Wars in 2009. It was a versionn online multiplayer and free-to-play. The game had a short life, but there are clearly two stages in its development. The first was run by Robot Entertainment and Gas Powered Games. The opinion of this title was very divided. Some said that it had a great quality, while others criticized thepoor server management that moved the video game.
In 2013, Microsoft decided to shelve this project. However, the game lives on thanks to a group of players raised the game cIt's a developer kit published by Microsoft. Currently, this new stage is known as Project Celeste, and can be played online after a bit of research.
Age of Empires: Siege Castle (2014)
Not happy with the blunder of the Online version of Age of Empires, Microsoft tried again with the help of Smoking Gun Interactive. And they failed miserably by publishing a game that had nothing to do with Age of Empires. It was a 'tower defense' style MMO that tried to eat the cake of Clash of Clans. The free-to-play It was deprecated in 2019, proving once again that labeling a game doesn't automatically make it a hit — yes, Nintendo, it's for you and yours. Metroid: Federation Force—.
In 2019 they tried their luck for the last time with Age of Empires: World Domination, a similar game for iOS and Android that was retired within a few months of its release.
The expansion to mobile and Xbox
Another important announcement that came with the 25th anniversary was the Franchise expansion to mobile devices. Although there is still little information about it, a teaser showed that players will soon be able to enjoy an adapted version of Age of Empires on their phones, with a unique design and gameplay optimized for touch screens.
In conjunction with the series' arrival on Xbox consoles, Microsoft is demonstrating its intention to bring the franchise to new platforms, expanding the number of players who can enjoy this iconic strategy game.
As we celebrate these 25 years, Age of Empires continues to demonstrate its ability to innovate and remain relevant in the market. The definitive editions, expansions, and arrival on new platforms are proof that the franchise still has a long way to go and many stories to tell.
25th Anniversary Celebrations
In the framework of the 25th anniversary of the saga, the Age of Empires II Anniversary Edition, which includes all the content released to date, plus new gameplay and challenges for fans. Also, Age of Empires IV has received a special Anniversary Edition that includes two new civilizations, the Malians and the Ottomans, as well as new campaigns, achievements and maps.
As if that were not enough, Microsoft has announced that Age of Empires is coming to Xbox consoles for the first time in 2023. Players will be able to enjoy the classic Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition on their consoles starting January 31, 2023, and Age of Empires IV will land later in the same year.