Screenshots & trailers
What players say
Why the number is what it is: aspect mentions counted across 351 sampled Steam reviews (321 positive / 30 negative), recent and most-helpful. Plain keyword counting, fully reproducible; nothing here is written by a machine.
What positive reviews talk about
- Multiplayer & servers4% mention it
What negative reviews complain about
- Bugs & crashes27% mention it
- Multiplayer & servers17% mention it
- Performance17% mention it
Satisfaction by hours played
Same score, different games: see how sentiment holds up the longer people play.
Under 5h
81%
31 reviews
5-15h
89%
46 reviews
15-40h
92%
63 reviews
40-100h
94%
70 reviews
100h+
93%
141 reviews
Review sentiment over time
Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.
How this score was computed
The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (OpenCritic) | – | 85 | 29 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 95% | 89 | 1260 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | 92 | 77 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 92% | 86 | 3000 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: since the last significant patch (Jun 2, 2026) · 300 reviews sampled · 3255 total reviews in window · weighted 240.4 up / 17.1 down · computed 4h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (59)
Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.
- 90
“The Xbox version of Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition managed to surprise us with the controller controls. After such a fun experience there is no doubt that Age of Empires IV port will turn out great.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Age of Empires II Definitive Edition is a truly meticulous remaster, one of the best of its kind. Fans of classic RTS that are not afraid of the archaic, core gameplay solutions should be thrilled to try out this gem.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition has the content to keep you entertained for a time. Unfortunately, the visuals and core mechanics are woefully behind 20 years after its initial release. It's a nostalgia trip for fans given the low price, but it's lacking in this new age of strategy games.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Overall, Age of Empires 2: Definitive Edition is a wonderful example of modernising a classic game, providing new quality of life features and a fresh coat of paint while retaining its original feel. For hardcore RTS fans who are itching to pick something new up this is a must buy, and an adaptable AI difficulty level means there’s something for everyone.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“Age of Empires II: DE have done a great job in making an improved version of one of the best strategy games in history.”
read full review ↗ - 93
“Definitive Edition manages to upgrade the all-time classic that was Age of Empires II while still respecting its original version, making the whole experience feel like a whole new game that also manages to wake up memories from the old times.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Explore all the original campaigns like never before, as well as best-selling expansions, spanning over 200 hours of gameplay and 1000 years of human history. Go online to challenge other players with 35 different civilizations in your quest for world domination over the centuries. Choose your path to greatness with this ultimate remaster of one of the most beloved strategy games of all time.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition is a tailor-made adaptation for today's players, allowing them to experience each confrontation as if they were on the battlefield, only taking advantage of current facilities and adding certain sections that smell new, in addition to its good graphic and sound potential.”
read full review ↗ - 92
“Age of Empires 2: Definitive Edition is an excellent effort at bringing back an absolutely classic genre defining title and preparing it for years to come.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“At the end of the day, I'm not sure what else you could expect from a remaster of Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition. It was a great game in 1999, and it's aged better than most in its class. If you're looking for some solid RTS gameplay, single-player or multiplayer, look no further than Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition on PS5 is a successful revival of a legendary strategy game, enhanced with visual, audio, and technical improvements that make it an enjoyable experience for both newcomers and longtime fans of the series. The support for mouse and keyboard, along with the refined control system, proves that strategy games can truly shine on home consoles. We strongly recommend it to anyone seeking a deep and rich strategic experience.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“To see an RTS game with core mechanics still enjoyable more than a decade later is impressive and speaks to the timelessness of the game’s core premise.”
read full review ↗
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Checkpoint Gaming…and 47 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition – Update 177723Jun 2, 2026significant · resets scoring window
- New Public Update Preview - MayApr 24, 2026significant · resets scoring window
- Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition – Update 170934Mar 12, 2026significant · resets scoring window
- Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition – Update 169123Feb 17, 2026significant · resets scoring window
- A New Naval Warfare in Age of Empires II: Definitive EditionJan 28, 2026significant · resets scoring window
- Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition – Update 162286Dec 2, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition – Minor Update 160062Nov 6, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition – Update 158041Oct 14, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition – Minor Update 155976Sep 16, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition – Update 153015Aug 12, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- New Public Update Preview - JulyJul 18, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition – Update 147949Jun 25, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition – Update 145651May 28, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- New Public Update Preview - MayMay 23, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition – Update 144358May 12, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition – Update 143421May 6, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition – Update 143191Apr 28, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition – Update 141935Apr 10, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- A Sneak Peek at New Content Coming to Age of Empires II: Definitive EditionMar 11, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition – Minor Update 133431Jan 30, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition – Update 130746Dec 10, 2024significant · resets scoring window
- New Public Update Preview - December PatchNov 27, 2024significant · resets scoring window
- New Public Update Preview - October PatchOct 18, 2024significant · resets scoring window
- Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition – Update Preview 125283Oct 14, 2024significant · resets scoring window
- Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition – Wololo Map Update 118476Jul 18, 2024significant · resets scoring window
- Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition – Update 117204Jul 2, 2024significant · resets scoring window
- Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition – Hotfix 114480Jun 6, 2024significant · resets scoring window
- Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition – Hotfix 113358May 16, 2024significant · resets scoring window
- May Public Update PreviewMay 9, 2024significant · resets scoring window
- Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition - Update 111772Apr 30, 2024significant · resets scoring window