Age of Empires II HD

[TheCommandTent]

Coming to STEAM in April

In Age of Empires II: HD Edition, fans of the original game and new players alike will fall in love with the classic Age of Empires II experience. Explore all the original single player campaigns from both Age of Kings and The Conquerors expansion, choose from 18 civilizations spanning over a thousand years of history, and head online to challenge other Steam players in your quest for world domination throughout the ages. Originally developed by Ensemble Studios and reimagined in high definition by Hidden Path Entertainment, Microsoft Studios is proud to bring Age of Empires II: HD Edition to Steam!

http://store.steampowered.com/app/221380/

So many fond memories of this game.  I might just have to pick this up.

[Gusington]

AoE II was my first modern PC game in 1998. I am thinking of picking it up in HD but then I am thinking is it anything more than a gimmick?

[son_of_montfort]

I dunno Gus, the gameplay of AOEII was really the pinnacle of that era of RTS. I could see this being loads of fun.

That being said, I always preferred Rise of Nations.

[MetalDog]

I played AoEIII for a long time.  Never tried II.  If there is RTS MP afoot, I'm in :)

[Gusington]

AoE II, for me, was far superior than AoE III. In 1998 I could have played AoE II for hundreds of hours and never got bored. It even ignited an interest in medieval and Renaissance history that I didn't have before. And the petard was one of my favorite units in any game.

But now, 15 years later...is it all over? I mean will I be able to recapture the magic? Does it have anything to offer besides HD? Will the HD be for real?

Color me cynical.

[Staggerwing]

From the videos it looked like a lot of added eyecandy. The sprite movements appear to use more frames for a smoother look and the color palette looks to be more varied, if not always as 'bright'. Did the original have any MP options at all, even just LAN?

[Gusington]

I think there was an LAN option but don't quote me.

[Huw the Poo]

Great news.  Graphically it's a huge improvement.  Combined with the fantastic gameplay this will make for an awesome game.  How many times have we all said "if they just remade <game> exactly as before but with better graphics I'd buy it"?  Well, here's your chance!

Interestingly, Hidden Path Entertainment are the people behind the best tower defense game of all time, Defense Grid. :)

[Gusington]

Fine Huw fine. Now I have to get it too. Jerk.  8)

[Huw the Poo]

Fine Huw fine. Now I have to get it too. Jerk.  8)

Glad to be of service!

[Arctic Blast]

Fine Huw fine. Now I have to get it too. Jerk.  8)

Glad to be of service!

Fine work, Huw! You've learned quickly to sucker others in to purchasing games.  ;D

[Martok]

Hmm. 

I always wanted to play AoE II, but somehow never got around to picking it up. 

[Huw the Poo]

Fine work, Huw! You've learned quickly to sucker others in to purchasing games.  ;D

Oh god, I'm turning into Arctic!  So this is what evil feels like!

[son_of_montfort]

Fine work, Huw! You've learned quickly to sucker others in to purchasing games.  ;D

Oh god, I'm turning into Arctic!  So this is what evil feels like!

You will get your badge and membership package in the mail. Membership promotions are gained by getting others to buy games and Gus provides the highest amount of points.

[Staggerwing]

...Gus provides the highest amount of points.

That can't be much of a challenge... the only thing that keeps Gus from buying a game on sale is not hearing about it in time.