I've completed all 131 campaign scenarios (and then some) of the official Age of Empires II HD release. Keep in mind, I've not gotten to the Definitive edition yet so I don't know what it changes, but looking back at this HD version: how does it hold up?
Man, there's a lot of jank to AoE2's engine that's hard to go back to and even this HD remaster– it doesn't solve the problem very well. Controlling groups of units is cumbersome and sometimes dysfunctional. I had several times where I would attack move a group of units and they'd just walk past enemies that were attacking them. It can be frustrating to micromanage when the unit AI is stuck back in 2000 with how inconsistent it can be. Compared to Rise of Nations, which even today still controls pretty great.
That said, I still love this game with my whole heart, and I have for over two decades now! Even if I prefer the antiquated historical setting of the first AoE, the realms of this medieval game are still charming. I love the pixel art and overall art direction. The expansions add in a lot of new lands types and civilization aesthetics that fill the game with all sorts of pretty toys.
While I still like the original campaigns (AoK and the Conquerors) for their first brush with scenario triggers, the Forgotten expansion pack (which I played back when it was a mod) pushed scenario design forward with lots of details and quirks even if it could get overabundant with those widgets. The African Kingdoms and Rise of the Rajas don't drastically change the fundamentals of gameplay but the extra civs and rich campaigns were wonderful to experience.
Now done all campaigns, I can put this to rest and be glad that this title has been in my life for so long.
Man, there's a lot of jank to AoE2's engine that's hard to go back to and even this HD remaster– it doesn't solve the problem very well. Controlling groups of units is cumbersome and sometimes dysfunctional. I had several times where I would attack move a group of units and they'd just walk past enemies that were attacking them. It can be frustrating to micromanage when the unit AI is stuck back in 2000 with how inconsistent it can be. Compared to Rise of Nations, which even today still controls pretty great.
That said, I still love this game with my whole heart, and I have for over two decades now! Even if I prefer the antiquated historical setting of the first AoE, the realms of this medieval game are still charming. I love the pixel art and overall art direction. The expansions add in a lot of new lands types and civilization aesthetics that fill the game with all sorts of pretty toys.
While I still like the original campaigns (AoK and the Conquerors) for their first brush with scenario triggers, the Forgotten expansion pack (which I played back when it was a mod) pushed scenario design forward with lots of details and quirks even if it could get overabundant with those widgets. The African Kingdoms and Rise of the Rajas don't drastically change the fundamentals of gameplay but the extra civs and rich campaigns were wonderful to experience.
Now done all campaigns, I can put this to rest and be glad that this title has been in my life for so long.