AOE old CD vs Steam versions

[starman3838]

Good day,

When they first came out I purchased the following on CD for Windows

- AOE
- AOE II AGE OF KINGS
- AOE CONQUERORS
- AOE III

What they have available here in Steam, is it the same game or an enhancement or update in the game. Graphic upgrade would be great. I just don't want to buy the came thing again. Thank you all .

[Laptop]

AoE1 Definitive Edition is a remake of the 1997 CD game.

AoE2 Definitive Edition is a remake of the 1999 CD game.

AoE 2 2013 (this page) is a remaster of the 1999 CD game.

AoE3 2007 is the same DVD version of the 2007 game (so the same original game on Steam).

AoE3 Definitive Edition is a remake of the 2007 game.

[starman3838]

Originally posted by Laptop:

AoE1 Definitive Edition is a remake of the 1997 CD game.

AoE2 Definitive Edition is a remake of the 1999 CD game.

AoE 2 2013 (this page) is a remaster of the 1999 CD game.

AoE3 2007 is the same DVD version of the 2007 game (so the same original game on Steam).

AoE3 Definitive Edition is a remake of the 2007 game.

======
Thank you for the fast reply.....
The remake for these games was any work done to enhance the graphics?

[starman3838]

Got it.... I had a flash to check Wiki, what I needed was there. The mention to the "Definitive Edition's" """It features significantly improved visuals, supports 4K resolution, and includes all previous expansions from the original and HD Edition. In addition, it includes The Last Khans, an expansion that adds four new civilizations based on Central Asia and Eastern Europe, as well as four new campaigns. """"

Thank you for your help

[FloosWorld]

Originally posted by starman3838:

Originally posted by Laptop:

AoE1 Definitive Edition is a remake of the 1997 CD game.

AoE2 Definitive Edition is a remake of the 1999 CD game.

AoE 2 2013 (this page) is a remaster of the 1999 CD game.

AoE3 2007 is the same DVD version of the 2007 game (so the same original game on Steam).

AoE3 Definitive Edition is a remake of the 2007 game.

======
Thank you for the fast reply.....
The remake for these games was any work done to enhance the graphics?

Yep, Graphics were enhanced and gameplay-wise the games were also much improved.

[Laptop]

Originally posted by starman3838:

======
Thank you for the fast reply.....
The remake for these games was any work done to enhance the graphics?

Yes, a remake in pretty much all cases would involve improving the graphics (more than a remaster).

That being said it is a different art style, if you prefer the original CD version art style then stick with the 2013 edition as it is just meant to be a remaster / improvement of the CD version.

If you'd like to experience the remake then go for the definitive edition also, the gameplay experience should be the same mostly.

[WSlord]

I will add there are no more hosted servers for AOE III 2007. So if you wish to play that multiplayer without player servers and patches, you will have to get the AOE3 def.

[AMD Ryzen 7 5200HX 2.9GHz]

Originally posted by starman3838:

Good day,

When they first came out I purchased the following on CD for Windows

- AOE
- AOE II AGE OF KINGS
- AOE CONQUERORS
- AOE III

What they have available here in Steam, is it the same game or an enhancement or update in the game. Graphic upgrade would be great. I just don't want to buy the came thing again. Thank you all .

Use the retro CD versions, they have more stuff in them (no cut content)

Newer AOE games such as DE and AOE4 removed content to satisfy some snowflakes

1. Install the CDs to your computer
2. Copy or Move or Cut ENTIRE CD folder to the steamapps/common/Age2HD (make sure to exact same name top of the main folder like this one)
3. Boot up Steam, add non steam game via Steam library
4. If you already own HD version, it will "discover" your CD files without downloading
4a. (perhaps downloads a few patches)
5. As a Non Steam Game added to your steam library aka CD version, you'I have Steam Overlay to take screenshots in game and publish them to your profile

Enjoy such an awesome classic game!!!!!!!

[FloosWorld]

Originally posted by DeltaForce Windows98 RTM Release:

Use the retro CD versions, they have more stuff in them (no cut content)

What cut content? CD Version has less content than HD and DE and the only "cut" campaign which can be brought back via a mod is El Dorado.

[Axz]

I still have the big box AoE 1 and 2 with expansions for both (I never got into AoE 3, which is strange because 1 and 2 are some of my favourite games ever).

The weird thing?

Anyone who's ever tried getting an old PC game working on a new OS knows that sometimes it's a NIGHTMARE to get functional (I'm looking at you RE 1 and 2), but AoE 1 works just like it did in the old days. Put the disc in, install and play, no problems.

AoE 2 just ♥♥♥♥♥ itself and doesn't know what to do after installation.

So, the *older* one is the one that *does* work?

Huh, okay.

[Bearcat]

Hello! I have a CD of AoD II: The Age of Kings that I have been enjoying for years...decades? Anyway, I had this week a catastrophic HD failure and just got my PC back with a new digital HD and an upgraded DVD player. I installed the game CD back on the new HD without issues, BUT... no matter how/where I try to start the game, I get nothing. I click "PLAY" in the opening window, and then blank. I loved this game. Am I SOL or am I missing something? Is WIN10 too new for the game to play anymore - it was good on WIN7, but now can't remember if I was playing on WIN10 (sigh). From the thread here, I'm guessing that there's a "Definitive Edition" that I can play from Steam. I tried entering my disc registration number but Steam doesn't recognize it. Any help would be immensely appreciated :-)

[FloosWorld]

Originally posted by Bearcat:

Hello! I have a CD of AoD II: The Age of Kings that I have been enjoying for years...decades? Anyway, I had this week a catastrophic HD failure and just got my PC back with a new digital HD and an upgraded DVD player. I installed the game CD back on the new HD without issues, BUT... no matter how/where I try to start the game, I get nothing. I click "PLAY" in the opening window, and then blank. I loved this game. Am I SOL or am I missing something? Is WIN10 too new for the game to play anymore - it was good on WIN7, but now can't remember if I was playing on WIN10 (sigh). From the thread here, I'm guessing that there's a "Definitive Edition" that I can play from Steam. I tried entering my disc registration number but Steam doesn't recognize it. Any help would be immensely appreciated :-)

Hey! AoE 2 sadly isn't one of those games where you enter the CD key and get a digital copy of it. The CD Version still should work on Win 10 but you might need to patch it yourself with fanpatches like userpatch:
https://userpatch.aiscripters.net/

There is indeed a Definitive Edition:
https://store.steampowered.com/app/813780/Age_of_Empires_II_Definitive_Edition/

Its base game comes with Age of Kings, Conquerors, all DLCs from HD Edition (aka 2013) and has 4 new civs on top as well. It also has its own DLCs, such as the newly released "Return of Rome" that adds AoE 1 as a separate game mode to the game.

[FineAxis]

Originally posted by Bearcat:

Hello! I have a CD of AoD II: The Age of Kings that I have been enjoying for years...decades? Anyway, I had this week a catastrophic HD failure and just got my PC back with a new digital HD and an upgraded DVD player. I installed the game CD back on the new HD without issues, BUT... no matter how/where I try to start the game, I get nothing. I click "PLAY" in the opening window, and then blank. I loved this game. Am I SOL or am I missing something? Is WIN10 too new for the game to play anymore - it was good on WIN7, but now can't remember if I was playing on WIN10 (sigh). From the thread here, I'm guessing that there's a "Definitive Edition" that I can play from Steam. I tried entering my disc registration number but Steam doesn't recognize it. Any help would be immensely appreciated :-)

You can get your CD version working again, search Google and look into how to run the game in compatibility mode. Alternatively, you can purchase an updated version from steam which will take less time and will let you play multiplayer.