The development was very simple. We started in the Stone agewe were moving towards Age of Tools (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 gave the player different improvements and tools.
The age of empires originally had four campaignsa way of random map and even a multiplayer mode where 8 players could participate. A year after its release, Age of Empires received its first expansion packcalled The Rise of Romewith several extra civilizations and graphic improvements, as well as some advances in the gameplay. This first title of the saga it was remastered and was republished in the year 2018 under the title Age of Empires: Definitive Edition.
Age of Empires II: The Age of the Kings (1999)
Barely a year after the expansion of age of empiresthe 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 Agethe feudal agethe Castle Ages 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 needed to climb 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 a year after its release. It 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)
Finally, the game would see its definitive edition in 2019, with all the expansions and a total of 35 civilizations. Subsequently, Age of Empires II: The Definitive Edition has also been expanded with Lords of the West Y Down of the Dukesboth released in 2021. With both expansions, the game already has 39 civilizationsand is still as alive as it was in 1999.
Age of Empires III (2005)
With Age of Mythology in between, which was the first spinoff about the saga and about which we will talk to you later, Ensemble Studios resumed the main line of the game. He improved an IP that was already round, adding the Commerce 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 other civilizations were added with The Asian Dynastiesthe second expansion pack.
The only problem with this title is that he could never overshadow his predecessor. Still, in 2020, age of empires III returned again to the first division with its remastered version: Age of Empires III: Definitive 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 came the expansion The Royals, with two unprecedented African civilizations. And before the year was out, Forgotten Empires (one of the two studios behind these remakes) announced that they are working on another expansion.
Age of Empires IV (2021)
All the effort and money invested by Microsoft to relaunch the brand age of empires were consumed andnAge of Empires IVdeveloped by Relic Entertainment. this title return to the origins of age of empires IIthat is, go back to the Middle Ages..,
The video game premieres new graphics engine, with better details and with a Interface much more elaborate. On the other hand, the title sacrifice the number of civilizationsreducing their number with respect to Age of Empires II. exist 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 from age of empires
Then we leave you with the different versions that are outside the main line of games.
Age of Mythology (2002)
Achieving greatness in 1999, Ensemble Studios explored a alternative way 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 one subject, and the ultimate goal was to please the gods. In 2003 the expansion was added titanswhich would enrich the game with an extra civilization, Atlantean.
Unlike other sagas that quickly drowned after repeating the success formula, this game showed that by changing some of the elements of the previous game, it was possible keep the player hooked without burning it in a very few years.
Age of Empires Online (2011)
East 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 in charge of Robot Entertainment and Gas Powered Games. Opinion on this title was highly divided. Some said it had great quality, while others criticized it.lousy 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 cwith a developer kit published by Microsoft. Currently, this new stage is known as Project Celesteand can be played online after a bit of research.
Age of Empires: Castle Siege (2014)
Not happy with the blunder of the Online version of ages of empires, Microsoft tried again in the hands of Smoking Gun Interactive. And they failed miserably publishing a game that had nothing to do with age of empires. It was a ‘defend the tower’ style MMO that tried to eat eat the cake of Clash of Clans. The free-to-play ceased to be available in 2019, proving once again that putting a label on a game doesn’t automatically make it a hit — yes, Nintendo, it’s up to you and your Metroid: Federation Force—.
In 2019 they tried their luck for the last time with Age of Empires: World Dominationa similar game for iOS and Android that was withdrawn within a few months of its release.
