Age of Empires II (Retired) Thumbnail

Age of Empires II (Retired) similar games & best alternatives

Age of Empires II (Retired)

PC (Microsoft Windows) • 2013

Related articles

Quick resume

Age of Empires II has been re-imagined in high definition. With the release of Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition, this product will not be updated further.

Global score

96/100

Genres

Strategy

Similar games

    Pros

    • Timeless and highly replayable gameplay
    • Strong multiplayer community and support
    • Robust map editor and modding capabilities
    • Engaging historical campaigns
    • Balanced and skill-based strategy

    Cons

    • Dated graphics despite hd update
    • Multiplayer lag and lack of lan support
    • Steep learning curve for new players
    • Some toxic behavior in competitive matches
    • Paid dlc content

    Analysis

    A very typical example of its motivational profile. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Competition, Fellowship, Domination, Status. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Story, Leadership, Domination.

    How to use the graph
    Similar games map

    Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Motivations” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.

    • Larger dot with a light outline: the game you are viewing.
    • Colour: groups of games with comparable motivation patterns (statistical clusters).
    • Hover a dot to see the game name; click to open its page.
    • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom out and see more games.

    Why don’t the axes read like a score? This view uses t-SNE: it only keeps who is close to whom. The scales are not “good to bad” or hours played—they separate groups on the map. Read distance between dots, not the axis numbers.

    Motivations

    • Autonomy
      4

      "Players have freedom to choose civilizations, strategies, build orders, and map design; extensive map editor and mod support enable personal creativity and control."

    • Competence
      4

      "Game requires skillful micro-management, strategic planning, and resource management; AI difficulty scales and multiplayer is competitive."

    • Competition
      4

      "Strong multiplayer focus with ranked matches, leaderboards, and competitive community; players enjoy testing skills against others."

    • Continuation
      5

      "Highly replayable with long sessions, habitual play, and a dedicated community keeping the game alive for decades."

    • Cooperation
      3

      "Supports cooperative multiplayer modes and alliances; players often team up to achieve goals."

    • Creativity
      4

      "Robust map editor and Steam Workshop enable creating and sharing custom maps, scenarios, and mods."

    • Domination
      3

      "Competitive multiplayer involves exerting superiority over others; some reports of toxic behavior but also mutual respect in community."

    • Escapism
      4

      "Players use the game as a nostalgic escape and stress relief, immersing in medieval fantasy and strategic challenges."

    • Expectation
      -4

      "Players engage voluntarily out of personal interest and nostalgia rather than obligation or external pressure."

    • Experimenting
      3

      "Players experiment with different civilizations, strategies, and custom maps; modding community encourages tinkering."

    • Exploration
      3

      "Randomly generated maps and custom scenarios encourage discovery and exploration of new environments."

    • Expression
      3

      "Customization through map editor, mods, and scenario creation allows self-expression within game limits."

    • Fantasy
      3

      "Medieval historical setting with some imaginative elements; players roleplay as leaders of civilizations."

    • Fellowship
      4

      "Strong community bonds, clans, and multiplayer teams foster social connection and shared identity."

    • Growth
      4

      "Players develop skills in strategy, micromanagement, and historical knowledge through campaigns and multiplayer."

    • Health
      -5

      "Primarily sedentary gameplay with no physical activity involved."

    • Idle
      -4

      "Requires continuous attention and active management during gameplay; not suited for idle or background play."

    • Intimacy
      2

      "Some social interaction and friendships form through multiplayer, but emotional intimacy is limited."

    • Leadership
      4

      "Players lead armies and civilizations, make strategic decisions and guide teams in multiplayer."

    • Progression
      5

      "Strong focus on resource accumulation, technology upgrades, and army building to progress through ages."

    • Relaxation
      1

      "Some players find relaxing flow in gameplay, but competitive matches can be tense and challenging."

    • Sensation
      2

      "Enjoyable audio-visual medieval atmosphere and soundtracks provide sensory stimulation."

    • Status
      3

      "Recognition through multiplayer rankings, achievements, and community reputation."

    • Story
      3

      "Engaging historical campaigns with narrative elements immerse players in medieval stories."

    • Strategy
      5

      "Core gameplay revolves around complex strategic planning, resource management, and tactical combat."

    • Thrill
      3

      "Competitive multiplayer and surprise attacks create suspense and excitement."

    • Value
      3

      "High replay value and extensive content provide good return on investment, especially with sales."

    • Violence
      4

      "Combat and destruction are central gameplay elements, including battles, sieges, and unit kills."

    • Survival
      3

      "Players must manage threats, defend bases, and maintain resources to survive and win."

    Where to buy

    Come talk about it on Discord!

    Last update: 29/04/2026