The Most Popular Age of Empires Game, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the Age you think is the most popular!
Updated on Apr 23, 2024 06:46
In a world brimming with strategists and history buffs, the debate on the best Age of Empires game can become quite spirited. Each version offers unique civilizations, campaigns, and gameplay mechanics that appeal differently to various gamers. By ranking these games based on their popularity, players new and old can quickly see which titles resonate most with the community.
This list is dynamically adjusted based on the votes received, reflecting real-time preferences and opinions. Getting involved by casting your vote doesn't just help newcomers find a great starting point—it also lets veteran players share their valuable insights. Your participation shapes this ongoing conversation around a beloved game series.
What Is the Most Popular Age of Empires Game?
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182votes
Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings
Ensemble StudiosThis game is widely considered to be the most popular and beloved Age of Empires game. It has a huge following of dedicated fans who continue to play it to this day. Its popularity is due to its immersive gameplay, intricate strategy, and historical accuracy.Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings is a real-time strategy game developed by Ensemble Studios. It was released in 1999 and is the second installment in the Age of Empires series. The game allows players to lead one of 13 civilizations through various historical campaigns and explore different ages of human history, from the Dark Ages to the Imperial Age.- Release Date: September 30, 1999
- Genre: Real-time strategy
- Platforms: Microsoft Windows, Mac OS
- Single Player: Yes
- Multiplayer: Yes
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231votes
Age of Empires III
Microsoft Game StudiosThis game was a major departure from the previous Age of Empires games, with a new era, new civilizations, and new gameplay mechanics. It was well-received by both critics and fans, and is still played by many today. Its popularity is due to its innovative gameplay mechanics and stunning graphics.Age of Empires III is a real-time strategy game that was released in 2005 as the third installment in the Age of Empires series. It takes players on a journey through different historical periods, allowing them to build and expand their own civilization. The game features improved graphics, advanced gameplay mechanics, and a more immersive experience.- Release Date: 2005
- Platform: Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X
- Genre: Real-time strategy
- Single-player: Yes
- Multiplayer: Yes
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323votes
Age of Empires
Microsoft StudiosThe original Age of Empires game was a groundbreaking title that introduced the world to the concept of real-time strategy games. It was one of the first games to allow players to control civilizations from different eras, and it set the stage for all the Age of Empires games that followed.Age of Empires is a popular real-time strategy game series that allows players to build and develop their own civilizations throughout different historical periods. The gameplay involves resource management, military tactics, and diplomacy to conquer opponents and achieve victory.- Release Date: October 26, 1997
- Platform(s): Microsoft Windows, Mac OS
- Genre: Real-time strategy
- Setting: Historical
- Number of Players: Single-player, Multiplayer
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413votes
Age of Empires II: The Conquerors Expansion
Microsoft StudiosThis expansion pack for Age of Empires II added new civilizations, new units, and new gameplay mechanics. It was well-received by fans and critics alike, and is considered to be one of the best expansion packs ever released for a game.Age of Empires II: The Conquerors Expansion is the follow-up to the highly acclaimed Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings. It is an expansion pack that adds new civilizations, campaigns, and gameplay features to the original game. The expansion was released in 2000 and received positive reviews for its improved graphics, AI, and multiplayer support.- Release Year: 2000
- Developer: Ensemble Studios
- Platform: Microsoft Windows
- Game Modes: Single-player, Multiplayer
- Number of Civilizations: 13
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518votes
Age of Mythology
Ensemble StudiosAlthough not technically an Age of Empires game, Age of Mythology is often considered to be part of the series. It is a spin-off that focuses on mythology rather than history, and it is widely regarded as one of the best strategy games of all time.Age of Mythology is a real-time strategy game that explores the mythological legends of ancient civilizations. Developed by Ensemble Studios and published by Microsoft Game Studios, it was released in 2002. The game offers both a single-player campaign and multiplayer modes, allowing players to wage epic battles and manage resources as they harness the power of gods and mythical creatures. With its immersive storyline and diverse gameplay, Age of Mythology has become one of the most popular games in the Age of Empires series.- Release Year: 2002
- Platform: Microsoft Windows
- Genre: Real-time strategy
- Game Modes: Single-player, multiplayer
- Setting: Ancient Mythology
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65votes
Age of Empires II HD
Hidden Path EntertainmentThis updated version of Age of Empires II features improved graphics, new gameplay mechanics, and a reworked interface. It was well-received by fans and critics, and is still played by many today.Age of Empires II HD is an enhanced version of the popular real-time strategy game Age of Empires II. It features improved graphics and gameplay, allowing players to build and expand their empires through various ages of human history. The game offers a compelling single-player campaign with historical scenarios, as well as multiplayer mode for intense battles with friends or online opponents.- Platform: Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, Linux
- Release Date: April 9, 2013
- Genre: Real-time strategy
- Modes: Single-player, multiplayer
- Number of Players: 1-8
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75votesThis expansion pack for Age of Empires II added new civilizations, new units, and new gameplay mechanics. It was released several years after the original game, and was well-received by fans and critics alike.Age of Empires II: The Forgotten Expansion is a strategy game developed by SkyBox Labs and Forgotten Empires. It is an expansion pack for the original game, Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings. The expansion introduces new civilizations, campaigns, units, and technologies to the gameplay, along with improved graphics and gameplay mechanics. Players can experience new historical battles and conquer new lands as they expand their empires.
- Release Date: November 7, 2013
- Platforms: Microsoft Windows, macOS, SteamOS + Linux
- Game Modes: Single-player, multiplayer
- New Civilizations: Italians, Indians, Slavs, Magyars
- Campaigns: Five new campaigns
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85votesThis free-to-play game was released in 2011, and was a departure from the traditional Age of Empires formula. It featured cartoonish graphics, simplified gameplay mechanics, and a persistent online world. While it wasn't as popular as the other Age of Empires games, it still has a dedicated fanbase.Age of Empires Online is a massively multiplayer online real-time strategy game that was released in 2011. It is the fourth main installment in the Age of Empires series, developed by Robot Entertainment and Gas Powered Games. Unlike previous games in the series, Age of Empires Online focuses on online multiplayer gameplay and introduces several changes to the traditional formula. Players can choose one of several civilizations and build and expand their empire through resource gathering, researching technologies, and engaging in battles with other players.
- Release Year: 2011
- Genre: Massively multiplayer online real-time strategy
- Platform: PC
- Online Multiplayer: Yes
- Civilizations: Multiple to choose from
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912votes
Age of Empires: Definitive Edition
Forgotten EmpiresThis updated version of the original Age of Empires game features improved graphics, new gameplay mechanics, and a reworked interface. It was released in 2018, and was well-received by fans and critics.Age of Empires: Definitive Edition is a remastered edition of the classic real-time strategy game Age of Empires, originally released in 1997. It features upgraded graphics, enhanced gameplay mechanics, and new content, offering players an improved and immersive experience in the ancient world.- Release Date: February 20, 2018
- Platform: Windows 10
- Genre: Real-time strategy
- Modes: Single-player, multiplayer
- Number of Civilizations: 16
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107votes
Age of Empires III: The Asian Dynasties Expansion
Big Huge GamesThis expansion pack for Age of Empires III added new civilizations, new units, and new gameplay mechanics. It focused on the history and culture of Asia, and was well-received by fans and critics.Age of Empires III: The Asian Dynasties Expansion is an expansion pack for the popular real-time strategy game Age of Empires III. It adds new content centered around the Asian civilizations, including new campaigns, units, and gameplay mechanics. The expansion was developed by Big Huge Games and published by Microsoft Game Studios.- Release Date: October 23, 2007
- Platforms: Windows
- Genre: Real-time strategy
- Setting: Historical
- Playable Civilizations: Chinese, Japanese, Indian
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Ranking factors for popular Age
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Sales figuresAnalyzing the sales figures will give a clear indication of the popularity of each Age of Empires game. A higher number of units sold indicates greater popularity among players.
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Player baseLook at the active player base of each game. The more players regularly playing the game, the higher its popularity. You can gather this data from game forums, online multiplayer statistics, and game developers' announcements.
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Professional e-sport competitionsPopular games are often part of the professional e-sport competitions. The more competitions featuring an Age of Empires game, the higher its popularity.
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Online ratings and reviewsAnalyze ratings and reviews websites, such as Metacritic, Steam, and other game forums to get a better understanding of the overall gaming community's opinion on each Age of Empires game.
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Critic reviewsLook at what professional critics from established gaming websites, magazines, and blogs have said about each game. Games that have received higher critical scores tend to be more popular.
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Modding communityA large and active modding community indicates that the game has a dedicated fan base that continually adds new content and extends the game's lifespan. Check for available mods, fan-made content, and community forums to gauge the activeness of the modding community.
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Social media engagementEvaluate how actively each game is discussed on social media platforms like Twitter, Reddit, and Facebook. Popular games will often have a more extensive and engaged online community.
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Game updates and expansionsConsider the number of updates, expansions, and DLC released for each game. A game with more content updates and expansions indicates a more dedicated player base and higher popularity.
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Legacy and influenceDetermine the cultural impact each game has had on the gaming industry. Games that are more influential and have a greater impact on future games may be seen as more popular.
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Awards and nominationsCheck if any Age of Empires game has won any awards or has been nominated for awards in the gaming industry. Games that have won more awards may be more popular and highly regarded.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular Age of Empires game. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or Year is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 3903 views
- 182 votes
- 10 ranked items
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Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each Year once every 24 hours. The rank of each Year is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular age of empires game
Age of Empires is a series of real-time strategy games that have been enjoyed by gamers for over two decades. Developed by Ensemble Studios and published by Microsoft Studios, the franchise has released several installments since its debut in 1997.
Each Age of Empires game features an immersive historical setting and gameplay that revolves around building empires, gathering resources, and engaging in battles to conquer enemies. The franchise has gained a loyal following over the years, with players eagerly anticipating new releases and updates.
The question of which Age of Empires game is the most popular is a hotly debated topic. Some fans argue that the original Age of Empires is the best, while others believe that Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings is the pinnacle of the series. Age of Empires III, with its updated graphics and gameplay mechanics, also has its fair share of supporters.
Ultimately, the popularity of each Age of Empires game is subjective, and it largely depends on personal preference. Regardless of which game is your favorite, the series as a whole has stood the test of time and continues to be a beloved classic among strategy game enthusiasts.
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