Age of Empires Online - Free to Play Strategy Game
A Nostalgic Return to Empire Building: Age of Empires Online
Many dedicated gamers fondly recall the original Age of Empires, launched by Microsoft Studios in 1997. It was a frequent fixture at numerous local area network (LAN) parties, including my own.
While the gameplay centered around standard strategy and empire construction, the game was remarkably innovative for its time. It significantly advanced the genre and surprised many by demonstrating that a quality gaming experience could originate from Microsoft.
The Rise of Ensemble Studios and a New Model
Age of Empires also brought Ensemble Studios into prominence, although their subsequent development largely remained within the Age of Empires franchise. Age of Empires Online represents the latest installment in the series.
Notably, it adopts a free-to-play model, a significant shift and potentially a foreshadowing of the evolving landscape of gaming, supported by optional premium upgrades and expansions.
Downloading and Installation
The game can be downloaded from the Age Of Empires Online website. It is exclusively available for Windows and utilizes the Games For Windows Live interface for installation, which will also be installed on your computer.
This is likely a strategic effort by Microsoft to increase visibility for their games distribution platform. The installer initiates the download process, which, despite the relatively small file size of approximately 50MB, may take a considerable amount of time.
Download speeds were slow during my testing, potentially due to high demand. The download process encountered errors twice, but fortunately, the installer successfully resumed upon relaunch.
Post-Installation and Account Setup
Following the initial download, several patches will need to be applied, so additional waiting time is to be expected.
Upon first launching the game, users are required to log in with an existing Windows Live profile or create a new one. If you possess an Xbox account already linked to Live, you can utilize those credentials.
Visual DesignAge of Empires Online presents a significant shift in graphical presentation when contrasted with its predecessors. The game adopts a vibrant, cartoon-inspired aesthetic, reminiscent of the original Warcraft and its memorable, exaggerated characters.
This stylistic choice also evokes strong parallels with the beloved Settlers series.
Suitability for the Age of Empires Franchise
The question arises: does this new visual approach complement the Age of Empires experience?
The answer is a resounding yes. It’s important to note that the images showcased are captured directly from gameplay, not pre-rendered cutscenes.
The vibrant art style successfully enhances the overall gaming experience.
- Key Features: A departure from previous graphical styles.
- Inspiration: Draws influence from Warcraft and Settlers.
- Authenticity: Screenshots represent actual in-game visuals.
The cartoony look provides a fresh and engaging perspective on the classic empire-building gameplay.
Gameplay Mechanics
Players transitioning from previous Age of Empires titles might initially experience some disorientation. However, the fundamental gameplay principles remain consistent. The initial city layout screen functions more as a management interface or graphical menu than a direct gameplay area.
This screen introduces the game’s persistent element: your capital city. This city accompanies you throughout the entirety of your empire’s progression. Combat doesn’t occur directly within this capital; instead, the structures you erect serve as upgrades, ‘plot items,’ or purely aesthetic enhancements.
Resources utilized within the capital city are distinct from those gathered during standard gameplay. Items acquired and claimed are specifically for use within this persistent environment. Furthermore, unit enhancements – referred to as 'gear' – and the technology tree are managed from this central hub.
The primary gameplay loop revolves around skirmishes and missions, presented as quests offered by characters within the persistent world. This questing system will be immediately familiar to those who have played World of Warcraft. Accept a quest from a character, complete the objectives, return, select a reward, and finalize the process.
Initiating a quest requires clicking the world map button located in the bottom-left corner of your mini-map (displayed in the top-right). Selecting a quest from those available will then transport you to the designated location.
Upon arrival, you’ll encounter a familiar game interface, easily navigable for returning players. The core experience centers around resource gathering, a staple of the series.
Wood, stone, gold, and food constitute the essential resources. Assign villagers to gather these resources by right-clicking on the desired source. They will continue working until instructed otherwise or the resource is depleted. Remember that villagers also construct buildings, so reassign them as needed.
To increase your population, utilize your town hall to produce additional villagers, provided you have sufficient housing. Constructing more houses expands your housing capacity. As the game progresses, building defenses and an armoury will become crucial.
New players may find town hall upgrades somewhat challenging. These upgrades unlock higher-tier units and buildings. It’s also necessary to unlock the building within your permanent capital headquarters. Consistent quest completion will facilitate your progress.
Regarding gear, right-clicking an upgradeable item in your backpack intuitively opens a screen allowing you to assign it to specific units. Free players are limited to equipping common and uncommon items; rare items require a purchase.
Many gear items provide both a visual alteration in-game and minor statistical improvements to attack or defense. The game offers substantial content even in its basic, free version, encouraging continued engagement.
Dedicated players and fans may be inclined to unlock premium items, but the free experience is certainly worth exploring. Unfortunately, the training missions cannot be skipped, so experienced players should anticipate some initial repetition before accessing multiplayer matches and challenging missions.
Does this game rekindle your enthusiasm for the series? It has certainly reignited mine, and I’m considering investing in some premium content! Whether this model proves successful for a game of this caliber remains to be seen, but it appears promising. What are your thoughts?
