Summary
- Release Year: 2011
- Genres: Real Time Strategy (RTS), Role-playing game (RPG), Strategy
- Platforms: PC (Microsoft Windows)
- Developers: Gas Powered Games, Robot Entertainment
- Publishers: Microsoft Game Studios
Age of Empires Online: A Comprehensive Review
Introduction
Age of Empires Online is a free-to-play multiplayer real-time strategy game developed by Robot Entertainment and Gas Powered Games, which released on August 16, 2011. Based upon the gameplay of the Age of Empires series, it was originally developed by Robot Entertainment, but on February 24, 2011, Gas Powered Games, took over production. The game was published by Microsoft.
Gameplay
Age of Empires Online is a real-time strategy game in which players control a civilization and must gather resources, build structures, and train units in order to defeat their opponents. The game features four civilizations: the Greeks, Egyptians, Persians, and Celts. Each civilization has its own unique units, buildings, and technologies.
Players start the game by choosing a civilization and then selecting a starting location. Once the game begins, players must gather resources, such as wood, food, and gold, in order to build structures and train units. Players can also research technologies to improve their units and buildings.
As players progress through the game, they will unlock new units, buildings, and technologies. They will also be able to level up their civilization, which will grant them access to even more powerful units and technologies.
Free-to-Play Model
Age of Empires Online is a free-to-play game, which means that it is free for users to play. However, premium content can be earned or purchased, such as access to special items and blueprints, and more quests and features.
Reception
Age of Empires Online received mixed reviews upon release. Some critics praised the game’s graphics, gameplay, and free-to-play model. However, other critics complained about the game’s “MMO-like grind” and lack of innovation.
Shut Down and Revival
On January 3, 2013, Microsoft ceased further development on Age of Empires Online. A Microsoft representative later announced on the forums that on August 22, 2013, the Games for Windows – Live Marketplace would be shut down, leaving the game only accessible by current or former players. In September 2013, it was announced that the game would remain functional until July 1, 2014 when the service would be shut down. The closure was due to the content being too expensive to maintain.
In 2017, Age of Empires Online was reestablished using Microsoft’s publicly released developer-kit for the game and is now hosted on a server emulator known as “Project Celeste”. The game can be played for free in single-player and multiplayer mode with all online features fully enabled. In May 2019, the team announced that they are developing Microsoft’s unreleased Roman civilization for play based upon all known data of the civilization before the official servers were closed. It was finalized and released on March 14th, 2021
Legacy
Age of Empires Online was a significant departure from the traditional Age of Empires games. It was the first game in the series to be free-to-play and to feature multiplayer-only gameplay. Despite its mixed reception, Age of Empires Online has had a lasting impact on the series. The game’s free-to-play model has been adopted by other Age of Empires games, and its multiplayer-only gameplay has paved the way for the success of Age of Empires IV.
Conclusion
Age of Empires Online is a solid multiplayer real-time strategy game that is still worth playing today. It’s free to play, so there’s no reason not to give it a try!
Review Score
7.5/10
Art
Cover Art
Screenshots
