Age of Empires 2 – XBox Review
Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings for the original Xbox is a bold attempt to bring one of the PC strategy greats to the console world, trading in the precision of a mouse for the simplicity of a controller. Originally a beloved real-time strategy classic on PC, this console version takes a surprising twist – it’s actually a turn-based strategy adaptation of the Age of Empires II experience, developed by Backbone Entertainment and released in 2006.
Instead of the fast-paced, real-time micromanagement that PC fans know and love, the Xbox version of Age of Kings plays more like Advance Wars or Fire Emblem. You move your units across a grid, capture resources, build up your empire, and engage in battles one turn at a time. It’s a completely different rhythm than its PC counterpart, but it works surprisingly well on a console where traditional RTS controls can feel like wrestling a bear with oven mitts.
The game features five historical campaigns, letting you step into the armored boots of famous leaders like Joan of Arc, Saladin, Genghis Khan, and more. Each campaign is rich with scenarios, offering strategic challenges that force you to think ahead, manage your units wisely, and make the most of your available resources. Between battles, you can research technologies, recruit new units, and upgrade your buildings, all while watching your empire slowly evolve from a humble village to a mighty stronghold.
Visually, the game looks solid for a handheld-style strategy title on a console. The sprites are clean, the environments are colorful, and the UI is intuitive enough that you won’t need a medieval degree in kingdom management to understand what’s happening. It may not have the lush detail of the PC version’s remasters, but it gets the job done. The music is suitably epic, and the sound effects – clashing swords, crumbling walls, the familiar “wololo” – add to the charm.
One of the best features of the game is its multiplayer mode, which lets you challenge friends to local battles of wits and tactics. There’s a ton of replay value here thanks to the skirmish mode, varied factions, and different maps. Each civilization has its own strengths and tech tree, which means there’s always a new strategy to test or an old one to perfect.
The downside? If you’re a die-hard fan of the original real-time Age of Empires II, the slower pace and turn-based mechanics might take some getting used to. This is not the game you remember from your late-night LAN parties. However, if you go in expecting a console-friendly tactical spin on a classic, there’s a lot to enjoy.
In short, Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings for Xbox is a reimagining that plays to the strengths of the platform. It offers deep strategy, historical flair, and surprisingly addictive gameplay in a format that works well with a controller. Whether you’re commanding knights into battle or just trying to outwit your couch rival, this version proves that strategy can thrive outside of the PC battlefield.
AoE 2 Gameplay Hints for the XBox
Barbarians:
Play in deathmatch mode and choose the Vikings. Instead of having Berserkers, they will have Barbarians.
Build faster:
Continuously select the icon next to the percentage.
Explore enemy territory without being attacked:
Advance to the Feudal age, build a Market, then create a Trade Cart. Use the Trade Cart to safely explore your opponent