Rune 06 · Real-time strategy · Forgotten Empires / Xbox Game Studios, 2019
Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition
The classic medieval real-time strategy game, rebuilt in high definition with dozens of civilisations and campaigns.
Edition reviewed: Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition (2019).
Official artwork © Forgotten Empires / Xbox Game StudiosWhat you do
Gather resources, build a town, advance through ages and command armies in real time, alone or against others.
Who it suits
Fans of classic strategy and anyone who wants matches with a clear end.
01The opening
You start with a town centre and a few villagers. The first hour is learning the rhythm of farms, wood and gold.
02The midgame
Advancing through ages unlocks castles and unique units, and each civilisation plays differently. Campaigns tell real history.
03Where to stop
Matches and missions have clear ends, which makes this one of the easiest strategy games to stop.
Why it works
- Timeless design
- Huge choice of civilisations
- Matches have clear ends
Watch out for
- Fast, demanding online play
- Expansions add cost
The score
Overall 4.6 out of 5 · Elder rune · how we score
Our verdict
A timeless classic. One match, one evening.
Written by the Rune Hall desk. Updated 23 October 2026. Facts were checked against the publisher and store pages at that date; prices and platforms can change.