Coming to STEAM in April
QuoteIn 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.
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?
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.
I played AoEIII for a long time. Never tried II. If there is RTS MP afoot, I'm in :)
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.
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?
I think there was an LAN option but don't quote me.
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. :)
Fine Huw fine. Now I have to get it too. Jerk. 8)
Quote from: Gusington on March 09, 2013, 08:56:24 AM
Fine Huw fine. Now I have to get it too. Jerk. 8)
Glad to be of service!
Quote from: Huw the Poo on March 09, 2013, 12:50:28 PM
Quote from: Gusington on March 09, 2013, 08:56:24 AM
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
Hmm.
I always wanted to play AoE II, but somehow never got around to picking it up.
Quote from: Arctic Blast on March 09, 2013, 03:27:10 PM
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!
Quote from: Huw the Poo on March 09, 2013, 04:38:20 PM
Quote from: Arctic Blast on March 09, 2013, 03:27:10 PM
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.
Quote from: son_of_montfort on March 09, 2013, 08:19:48 PM
...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.
Meh. I'd rather someone remake Pools of Radiance. Now that is a real game worth remaking.
Quote from: Bison on March 09, 2013, 08:58:13 PM
Meh. I'd rather someone remake Pools of Radiance. Now that is a real game worth remaking.
Oh, look! (http://www.amazon.com/Pool-Radiance-Pc/dp/B0002X5PIW)
Quote from: Bison on March 09, 2013, 08:58:13 PM
Meh. I'd rather someone remake Pools of Radiance. Now that is a real game worth remaking.
I'd be content with any of the gold box games, really. I would love a Buck Rodgers version the most!
Quote from: Huw the Poo on March 09, 2013, 04:38:20 PM
Quote from: Arctic Blast on March 09, 2013, 03:27:10 PM
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!
Welcome aboard Team Evil. We'll get you all set up with your membership perks right away. And as SoM mentioned, you definitely want to be sure to mention games around Gus. It doesn't even matter what they are, he WILL purchase them.
Hahaha! Oh poor Gus. Maybe we should just point him at Mobygames and let him get on with it?
Quote from: Martok on March 09, 2013, 03:40:40 PM
Hmm.
I always wanted to play AoE II, but somehow never got around to picking it up.
Wait, you've never played AOEII............ :o
Quote from: Staggerwing on March 09, 2013, 08:53:30 PM
Quote from: son_of_montfort on March 09, 2013, 08:19:48 PM
...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.
<laugh>I'd like to thank
Staggerwing for kicking off the week with a new line to quote in my sig. 8)
Quote from: TheCommandTent on March 10, 2013, 08:56:12 AM
Quote from: Martok on March 09, 2013, 03:40:40 PM
Hmm.
I always wanted to play AoE II, but somehow never got around to picking it up.
Wait, you've never played AOEII............ :o
Bizarrely, no I have not. I played the original (my brother owned it), but not the second one. For some reason, it just never happened...
^At least you've played one of the versions. I lost many an hour to AOE II so I can safely recommend picking it up if you have never played it.
For anyone following along, I have not pre-purchased Aoe II HD yet. In a world with M2TW and Stainless Steel, I just don't see why I should.
Take that, punks.
<arm twist>
Still haven't :)
You have, you just won't admit it!
No I haven't, because of Medieval II and such. That kind of bothers me because the old me would have been more than happy to drop some money on AoE II HD. The new [old] me just can't justify it right now.
If GOG.com starts selling AoE2 HD, I will buy it...when it goes on sale.
^That is more understandable to me. I can see getting it for 8-9 bucks or less.
Quote from: Gusington on March 10, 2013, 04:19:50 PM
For anyone following along, I have not pre-purchased Aoe II HD yet. In a world with M2TW and Stainless Steel, I just don't see why I should.
Take that, punks.
Now you're just desperately grasping for reasons in an attempt to convince yourself not to. M2TW and AoE 2 are barely comparable, if even at all.
You're right...AoE II, even if in HD, cannot compare to M2TW. So if I'm into that era why even bother getting AoE II other than nostalgia?
Quote from: Gusington on March 11, 2013, 07:27:47 AM
You're right...AoE II, even if in HD, cannot compare to M2TW. So if I'm into that era why even bother getting AoE II other than nostalgia?
I suppose you could skip it. Sure, everyone else can talk about it, what with past experience with the game or new ones with the new version...but that would be okay, right? It wouldn't bother you at all to see everyone else raving about a game...that you've never played. Nope. Not one bit.
8)
I did play it! It was my first modern PC love. I must have sank 1000 hours into it in 1998 and 1999 and loved it. I don't think I can recapture that magic now though.
Quitter.
At this point I think Gus is just being obstinate about it.
Of course. But for good reason(s).
Quote from: Gusington on March 11, 2013, 02:01:20 PM
I did play it! It was my first modern PC love. I must have sank 1000 hours into it in 1998 and 1999 and loved it. I don't think I can recapture that magic now though.
Well that sounds like an even worse predicament you're trying to put yourself in. Now you actually WILL know what fun you're missing out on. Why would you do that to yourself, Gus? Don't you want to be happy?
The Age of Empires II: HD Edition announcement FAQ's (http://forums.ageofempiresonline.com/forums/thread/350618.aspx) had the answers to my questions about the game.
Quote from: Greybriar on March 12, 2013, 05:23:21 AM
The Age of Empires II: HD Edition announcement FAQ's (http://forums.ageofempiresonline.com/forums/thread/350618.aspx) had the answers to my questions about the game.
Thanks for the link, some useful stuff there.
Gus I think you are also forgetting one of the best things about AOEII HD being released on STEAM. That would be access to STEAM Workshop and all the crazy mods people will make. The same awesomeness which you are now finding about about using the Civ V workshop mods. Dare I say these mods will most likely include a steampunk mod for AOEII.... ;D
Hmm true I did not think of that but...do you really think there will be that much modding for AoE II? I don't know.
Quote from: Gusington on March 12, 2013, 12:59:31 PM
Hmm true I did not think of that but...do you really think there will be that much modding for AoE II? I don't know.
I think it's pretty likely. Who knows...someone could do a steampunk mod. How silly will you feel when something like that comes out and you can't immediately try it?
^Not very if that's a year from now and I get it for 3.99.
Quote from: Gusington on March 12, 2013, 05:58:55 PM
^Not very if that's a year from now and I get it for 3.99.
WTF?! Who is this guy suddenly showing patience with regards to game purchases, and what has he done with Gus?
I really love that we use the remote possibility of Steampunk to entice Gus into buying things. Hey Gus, I hear some modders are working on a Steampunk mod for My Little Pony: Horsie Adventure. Or, their *might* be some modders doing something like this. ;)
I'll probably get AoE soon, at the reduced preorder price. I loved it back in the day and the gameplay is pretty solid.
The steampunk mod for Barbie Pubic Hair Salon with the Gunny expansion is far and away better than the My Little Pony mod.
I shudder to think just how many hours I spent (or wasted, take your pick) on AoE II and Rise of Nations back in the day. Both would easily make my Top Ten RTS of All Time list -- and yet this doesn't seem all that enticing to me ... feels gimmicky for some reason ...
^YES
Quote from: Gusington on March 13, 2013, 07:21:38 AM
The steampunk mod for Barbie Pubic Hair Salon with the Gunny expansion is far and away better than the My Little Pony mod.
I would play that game, were it real.
Who wouldn't??
AOE II HD doesn't have zoom or am I missing something?
I have just downloaded. Don't know.
Holy crap, didn't realize it was out already! Hmm.
Quote from: Bismarck on April 09, 2013, 08:40:52 PM
AOE II HD doesn't have zoom or am I missing something?
Couldn't tell you, sorry. It's been too long since I played.
No zoom. The game is half beer/pretzels and half nostalgia.
So is there a final verdict? Is it a gimmick or does it deliver the goods still, 15 years later? Temptation is calling...
I didn't buy it. Still can't justify it. Looking at the gameplay videos made me sad. That time and place are over.
I own the game since 1997 and i still haven't finished all the campaigns...still on my to play list... :o
Quote from: Gusington on May 18, 2013, 03:54:39 PM
I didn't buy it. Still can't justify it. Looking at the gameplay videos made me sad. That time and place are over.
I think you're ahead of your own curve. It only took you 4 pages to figure this out.