How is this game compared to age of empires?

[-HOTG-ODIN]

Also how many people play multiplayer?

[Tech Priest]

Both are great games.

[Bob of Mage]

DOW is all about controling the map and moving your troops around. In AOE you can get away with just contorling stuff like all the gold and you can build a fort. Maps also appear to be on a bit more open in AOE.

Units in DOW normally come in squads unless they are some type of armour or a hero. You can pay a price to add more memebers to a squad in the field to bring them up to full strength, and you can give some of them heavier weapons (for example a flamethrower or a missile lancher).

[Space Coward]

Don't bother comparing, this is one of the few RTS games that are actually different. While it may have base-building, units come in squads and aside from a single "Builder Unit" type, you have constantly regenerating resources with resource rates dictated by your control of the map and constructed power generators. It's very military-focused.