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

Age of Empires II (Retired)

PC (Microsoft Windows) • 2013

Should you play it?

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.

What works
  • Timeless and highly replayable gameplay
  • Strong multiplayer community and support
  • Robust map editor and modding capabilities
  • Engaging historical campaigns
  • Balanced and skill-based strategy
Things to keep in mind
  • 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

What to play next

Similar games, hidden gems, and fresh directions from this game.

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • Supreme Commander: Forged Alliance

  • Warhammer® 40,000: Dawn of War® - Soulstorm

  • Total Annihilation

  • Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition

  • Age of Mythology: Retold

  • Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II: Retribution

  • Cossacks: Back to War

  • Age of Empires® III (2007)

  • Supreme Commander
Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • Warrior Kings: Battles

  • Metal Fatigue

  • Worbital
If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

  • Continuation

    Dominions 4: Thrones of Ascension
  • Progression

    Cossacks: Back to War
  • Strategy

    Total War: ATTILA

Similarity map

Explore nearby similar games and see why they’re close.

How to use the graph
Similarity map

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

  • Purple star: this page’s game — everything on the map is relative to it.
  • Coloured chips: click to highlight games that mainly differ on that motivation; click again to reset.
  • Dotted line: link between this page’s game and the one selected for comparison.
  • Hover a dot for a screenshot preview, score, and top score gaps; click to compare in the panel on the right.
  • 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 (hidden on purpose).

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

Why this game works

A motivational profile of the game, with the closest similar game for each player motivation.

  • Autonomy

    Game with the same Autonomy vibe

    4

    "Players have freedom to choose civilizations, strategies, and customize gameplay with mods and settings."

    Capsule for Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition

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

  • Competence

    Game with the same Competence vibe

    4

    "Game involves skillful aiming, strategic planning, and overcoming AI challenges; campaign and multiplayer require competence."

    Capsule for Worms Clan Wars Worms Clan Wars

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

  • Competition

    Game with the same Competition vibe

    4

    "Strong multiplayer focus with ranked modes, leaderboards, and competitive play; players compare skills and compete against others."

    Capsule for Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare® Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare®

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

  • Continuation

    Game with the same Continuation vibe

    5

    "Highly replayable with hundreds of hours logged by players, encouraging long-term engagement and habitual play."

    Capsule for Dominions 4: Thrones of Ascension Dominions 4: Thrones of Ascension

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

  • Cooperation

    Game with the same Cooperation vibe

    3

    "Supports team play and alliances in multiplayer; players coordinate strategies and share goals."

    Capsule for Cossacks: Back to War Cossacks: Back to War

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

  • Creativity

    Game with the same Creativity vibe

    4

    "Features a level editor and Steam Workshop support allowing players to create and share custom maps and mods."

    Capsule for Serious Sam's Bogus Detour Serious Sam's Bogus Detour

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

  • Domination

    Game with the same Domination vibe

    3

    "Competitive multiplayer involves exerting superiority over opponents; some reports of toxic behavior exist."

    Capsule for Command & Conquer™ Generals Zero Hour Command & Conquer™ Generals Zero Hour

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

  • Escapism

    Game with the same Escapism vibe

    4

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

    Capsule for Stronghold Crusader: Definitive Edition Stronghold Crusader: Definitive Edition

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

  • Expectation

    Game with the same Expectation vibe

    -4

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

    Capsule for Zenith Trace Zenith Trace

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

  • Experimenting

    Game with the same Experimenting vibe

    3

    "Players experiment with different factions, ability trees, and tactics; modding community also encourages exploration of new gameplay."

    Capsule for Company of Heroes - Legacy Edition Company of Heroes - Legacy Edition

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

  • Exploration

    Game with the same Exploration vibe

    3

    "Random map generation and large maps encourage discovery and exploration of new environments."

    Capsule for Simutrans Simutrans

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

  • Expression

    Game with the same Expression vibe

    3

    "Customization through map editing and scenario creation allows personal expression within the game."

    Capsule for Railroad Tycoon II Platinum Railroad Tycoon II Platinum

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

  • Fantasy

    Game with the same Fantasy vibe

    3

    "The game immerses players in an imaginative historical setting with dramatized combat and roleplaying elements."

    Capsule for Battle Grounds III Battle Grounds III

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

  • Fellowship

    Game with the same Fellowship vibe

    4

    "Strong community bonds, clans, and social interaction reported; players form lasting friendships and group identity."

    Capsule for Soldat Soldat

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

  • Growth

    Game with the same Growth vibe

    4

    "Players develop skills in strategy, unit management, and learn game mechanics through campaign and multiplayer."

    Capsule for Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War - Anniversary Edition (Classic) Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War - Anniversary Edition (Classic)

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

  • Health

    Game with the same Health vibe

    -5

    "Primarily sedentary gameplay with no physical activity involved."

    Capsule for Portal 2 Portal 2

    "Primarily sedentary gameplay with no physical activity involved."

  • Idle

    Game with the same Idle vibe

    -4

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

    Capsule for Rise of Nations: Extended Edition Rise of Nations: Extended Edition

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

  • Intimacy

    Game with the same Intimacy vibe

    2

    "Some social interaction and friendships form in multiplayer, but emotional sharing is limited."

    Capsule for SCUM SCUM

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

  • Leadership

    Game with the same Leadership vibe

    4

    "Players lead armies and manage factions, making strategic decisions and guiding gameplay."

    Capsule for Total War: WARHAMMER III Total War: WARHAMMER III

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

  • Progression

    Game with the same Progression vibe

    5

    "Strong progression through resource gathering, unit upgrades, technology research, and army building."

    Capsule for Cossacks: Back to War Cossacks: Back to War

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

  • Relaxation

    Game with the same Relaxation vibe

    1

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

    Capsule for World of Tanks World of Tanks

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

  • Sensation

    Game with the same Sensation vibe

    2

    "Enjoyable medieval visuals and ambient sounds provide moderate sensory stimulation"

    Capsule for SAELIG SAELIG

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

  • Status

    Game with the same Status vibe

    3

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

    Capsule for Ducks Can Drive Ducks Can Drive

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

  • Story

    Game with the same Story vibe

    3

    "Engaging medieval narrative with characters and campaign progression."

    Capsule for Stronghold HD (2012) Stronghold HD (2012)

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

  • Strategy

    Game with the same Strategy vibe

    5

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

    Capsule for Total War: ATTILA Total War: ATTILA

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

  • Thrill

    Game with the same Thrill vibe

    3

    "Unpredictable events and competitive multiplayer create suspense and excitement."

    Capsule for Monster Prom Monster Prom

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

  • Value

    Game with the same Value vibe

    3

    "Good value especially on sale; extensive content and replayability justify investment."

    Capsule for Sniper Elite 4 Sniper Elite 4

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

  • Violence

    Game with the same Violence vibe

    4

    "Combat and destruction are central gameplay elements, with explosions, unit battles, and base assaults."

    Capsule for Command & Conquer™ 3: Kane’s Wrath Command & Conquer™ 3: Kane’s Wrath

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

  • Survival

    Game with the same Survival vibe

    3

    "Players must manage resources and defend against threats to survive and win."

    Capsule for War Selection War Selection

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

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Last update: 01/06/2026