We wrote an article about the list of Game Pass Ultimate titles for the coming year. One of those titles is already out on PC and on Game Pass for PC. According to the list, Age of Empires 2 was to be released as a newly remastered Definitive Edition for Xbox. Fast forward to now, and the game is finally out now on Xbox, at long last according to many fans. For those unaware, the game originally launched all the way back in 1999 and that is also roughly when I last played it. The new edition on Xbox is a full 4K remaster to celebrate the anniversary of an RTS classic.
Age of Empires 2 for Xbox naturally uses a controller, but you can use a mouse and keyboard with the console release if you so wish. Since its 2019 launch, it’s received numerous updates and three pieces of DLC. The game now has
- 83 maps
- 42 multiplayer civilizations
- 34 single-player campaigns
- 10 multiplayer modes
- 7 co-op campaigns
Age Of Empires 2 Console Performance
The official announcement we referred to earlier, saying it was out on Xbox consoles, lists the changes made to bring the game to the console. These include the following, as stated by Xbox Wire, and are especially useful for new players.
- Implemented a new UI/UX which is optimized for controller input. Allowing you to manage your many resources, units, and goals on screens from Cloud Gaming enabled mobile devices to large-scale UHD TVs, we’ve ensured that the UI allows for easy readability and comprehension, allowing you to put maximum focus on your build orders and strategies. Experience native controller UI design through D-pad shortcuts, command wheels, and more.
- New gameplay innovations to elevate the Age of Empires experience for both new and experienced players. Whether this is your first foray into empire building, or whether you’re a seasoned ruler, we’ve added innovations to make your experience on the console smooth and productive. These include villager automation and Site Based Commands, balancing your time and focus so you can push your armies forward!
- New tutorial and learning resources developed specifically for intuitive controller gameplay. All players will receive instructions on how to easily use a controller to build their empire. We’ll supplement the in-game features with a “Learn to Play” guide on AgeOfEmpires.com specifically for this edition. We’ve also included story difficulty campaign missions, allowing you to focus on the historical moments and build your skills as you work towards a harder difficulty.
- Players loyal to the keyboard and mouse will be able to transition easily to the console version. We’ve ensured those inputs are supported, giving you options for how you choose to play
Phil Spencer himself spoke about how the console port holds up, and he seems fairly happy about the performance.
A Successful Xbox Port
Having played some multiplayer with a friend on Xbox, me on Series X them on the Xbox One X, I agree with how it plays. It really does feel like a natural conversion from the keyboard and mouse to the controller. Hopefully, this success is replicated with Age of Empires 4 on Xbox, which has also been confirmed for this year. In the meantime, I will certainly enjoy returning to an old favorite on Xbox. They really catered to new and returning players and made it a successful transition to consoles. Hopefully, this means the entire franchise can come over to the console.
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