AOE4 owner here, asking what makes AOE2 special?

[对不起我只会说英语]

Hello there. A short background about myself is that I recently bought AOE4 close to release date and is new to the AOE franchise as a whole. I do enjoy AOE4 and tend to watch a lot of videos during my freetime at work, so that's that.

What I'm wondering though is that why this game still has a solid playerbase. Even the content creators I've watched (Hera, TheViper, SpiritOfTheLaw, and etc) tend to not leave AOE2 behind and play it simul with AOE4. It seems like people tend to stick to this so I had to wonder what kind of gem this game is when compared to the newer version.

Asking because I also genuinely interested in AOE2 and planning to get it for my potato PC as opposed to AOE4.

TLDR: Why do some people still play AOE2 even when there's AOE4? What makes AOE2 good?

[FloosWorld]

Αναρτήθηκε αρχικά από FastHamster:

Αναρτήθηκε αρχικά από FloosWorld:

Actually you're wrong here. Adam Isgreen said in an interview that the ecopart of AoE 4 was originally supposed to be a bit more detailed with processing resources like in Settlers or Anno.

In AoE4 you age up faster, villagers collect faster and farms last forever. Most people stop booming at 80 vills in AoE4 and at least 100 vills in AOE2.

Also AoE4 has very military focused (or map control focused) victory conditions. Almost reminiscent of MOBA or capture the flag type of victory conditions.

But does that speak against my point?

Also about map control focused victory conditions - Standard in AoE 2 which includes Conquest, Wonder and Relics is also pretty much focused on map control.

[SPHiNX]

Αναρτήθηκε αρχικά από A.:

Hello there. A short background about myself is that I recently bought AOE4 close to release date and is new to the AOE franchise as a whole. I do enjoy AOE4 and tend to watch a lot of videos during my freetime at work, so that's that.

What I'm wondering though is that why this game still has a solid playerbase. Even the content creators I've watched (Hera, TheViper, SpiritOfTheLaw, and etc) tend to not leave AOE2 behind and play it simul with AOE4. It seems like people tend to stick to this so I had to wonder what kind of gem this game is when compared to the newer version.

Asking because I also genuinely interested in AOE2 and planning to get it for my potato PC as opposed to AOE4.

TLDR: Why do some people still play AOE2 even when there's AOE4? What makes AOE2 good?

Hello, after you purchase AOE2 DE, I want you to come back here and leave your thoughts after 10 hours or so. Its quite literally the reason I bought a PC after many years of consoles.

Personally, I wonder what makes anyone play AOE 3 or 4, after playing 2 and 1, its clear this is the way its meant to be played, graphically, mechanically. And the balancing makes for the most amazing tornaments, Hidden cup, RB Wololo, King of the desert etc.

And because its so old, we are getting a mix of strategies from young up and comers and old school legends battling it out, just brilliant to watch, and appreciate.

Basically, its all the game needs to be, with out the bells and whistles graphically, personally it's a perfect game. (okay maybe a couple flaws but whose counting ;)

[对不起我只会说英语]

Αναρτήθηκε αρχικά από dangermouse:

Hello, after you purchase AOE2 DE, I want you to come back here and leave your thoughts after 10 hours or so. Its quite literally the reason I bought a PC after many years of consoles.

Personally, I wonder what makes anyone play AOE 3 or 4, after playing 2 and 1, its clear this is the way its meant to be played, graphically, mechanically. And the balancing makes for the most amazing tornaments, Hidden cup, RB Wololo, King of the desert etc.

And because its so old, we are getting a mix of strategies from young up and comers and old school legends battling it out, just brilliant to watch, and appreciate.

Basically, its all the game needs to be, with out the bells and whistles graphically, personally it's a perfect game. (okay maybe a couple flaws but whose counting ;)

I will confess, I might not get AOE2 DE this sale mostly because I am cost cutting for holidays and still indoubt that my old pc can run it (Something like Oxygen Not Included crashes on that PC), though I still watch the tournament and read everyone's comments here.

The main difference I see is that although units in AOE4 are only 8, almost every faction is unique than AOE2. But when I look at the videos they look the same 🤔gathering sheep, booming to age up and etc. The trading posts also seems different. I think one can get exclusive ownership of it.

[SPHiNX]

There's every chance you may not like it as much as 4, but i'm sure the content will keep you busy the single player and co-op campaigns are a lot of fun.
Also, you might stumble into new strategies for AOE4, on accident, as the mechanics arn't to dissimilar.
I cant think of any civ's that are the same, Aztec civ's maybe, but their bonuses and special units are all unique. But I understand what looks like a couple folks randomly grabbing sheep and chopping trees, but honest, everyone goes into a game with a strat, and depending on which civ you choose, it might be smarter to pick berries first, or fishing nets, this makes for great gameplay.
Also beating your next age time and mastering your build will keep you coming back.

Lastly and most importantly and impressive to me, is the devs have caught on to the popularity of the game in the last few years, and with that brings a lot of support, still, tornaments, prizes and balancing updates still churn out, to keep the game ever slightly changing and fresh.

Pop it on the wish list, and I promise you that you wont be sorry.

[FloosWorld]

Αναρτήθηκε αρχικά από A.:

Αναρτήθηκε αρχικά από dangermouse:

Hello, after you purchase AOE2 DE, I want you to come back here and leave your thoughts after 10 hours or so. Its quite literally the reason I bought a PC after many years of consoles.

Personally, I wonder what makes anyone play AOE 3 or 4, after playing 2 and 1, its clear this is the way its meant to be played, graphically, mechanically. And the balancing makes for the most amazing tornaments, Hidden cup, RB Wololo, King of the desert etc.

And because its so old, we are getting a mix of strategies from young up and comers and old school legends battling it out, just brilliant to watch, and appreciate.

Basically, its all the game needs to be, with out the bells and whistles graphically, personally it's a perfect game. (okay maybe a couple flaws but whose counting ;)

I will confess, I might not get AOE2 DE this sale mostly because I am cost cutting for holidays and still indoubt that my old pc can run it (Something like Oxygen Not Included crashes on that PC), though I still watch the tournament and read everyone's comments here.

The main difference I see is that although units in AOE4 are only 8, almost every faction is unique than AOE2. But when I look at the videos they look the same 🤔gathering sheep, booming to age up and etc. The trading posts also seems different. I think one can get exclusive ownership of it.

If your PC can run AoE 4, then 2 DE shouldn't be a problem.

Yeah units across civs mostly use the same skin but tbh, in AoE 4 units are also more or less the same but with just different skins applied.
Trading posts are (apart from maps like Aftermath and the Battle Royale mode) not really a thing. AoE 4's TP's could be compared with the neutral markets from maps such as Marketplace and Michi.

In AoE 2, animals decay over time + they loose all their food if they're killed by anything else than villagers so you can lame your opponents. The only situation where I imagine laming being possible in AoE 4 is, when your opponent uses Professional Scouts.
Boars in AoE 2 also work different than in AoE 4. At the start of a game, usually 2 spawn near your base. You have to lure them to your TC as they're a crucial food source in the Dark Age.

Edit: if it wasn't AoE 2's popularity btw, we wouldn't be here with DEs of AoE 1 - 3 + AoE 4 as HD Edition (now known as 2013), its DLCs (all bundled in 2 DE's base game) + the competitive scene over on Voobly helped reviving the franchise after Microsoft closed down its original developers.

[对不起我只会说英语]

Αναρτήθηκε αρχικά από FloosWorld:

If your PC can run AoE 4, then 2 DE shouldn't be a problem.

I have two PCs which I constantly use. One for gaming and one that's potato. I am not gonna explain why I still use the potato one but yeah, I am still hoping that it could run some good games.

Also I am convinced that I'll still like AOE2 and will come back here to say that I do. But yeah, I might not get it in the immediate future but will keep it on my wishlist.

[FloosWorld]

Αναρτήθηκε αρχικά από A.:

Αναρτήθηκε αρχικά από FloosWorld:

If your PC can run AoE 4, then 2 DE shouldn't be a problem.

I have two PCs which I constantly use. One for gaming and one that's potato. I am not gonna explain why I still use the potato one but yeah, I am still hoping that it could run some good games.

Also I am convinced that I'll still like AOE2 and will come back here to say that I do. But yeah, I might not get it in the immediate future but will keep it on my wishlist.

And installing it on the one you use for gaming (probably also the one with AoE 4?) is not an option?

[对不起我只会说英语]

Αναρτήθηκε αρχικά από FloosWorld:

And installing it on the one you use for gaming (probably also the one with AoE 4?) is not an option?

It's an option but I have a long list of unplayed games so I don't want to add AOE2 into that pile 😅I already have my hands on AOE4 to start with (I enjoy AOE4 btw) and mainly got curious as to how AOE2 stood the test of time.

It would just feel weird to me if I start playing AOE2 which is technically the lower version of the new game I got. I mean I am down for it though if I weren't cost cutting.

[FloosWorld]

Αναρτήθηκε αρχικά από A.:

Αναρτήθηκε αρχικά από FloosWorld:

And installing it on the one you use for gaming (probably also the one with AoE 4?) is not an option?

It's an option but I have a long list of unplayed games so I don't want to add AOE2 into that pile 😅I already have my hands on AOE4 to start with (I enjoy AOE4 btw) and mainly got curious as to how AOE2 stood the test of time.

It would just feel weird to me if I start playing AOE2 which is technically the lower version of the new game I got. I mean I am down for it though if I weren't cost cutting.

Fair enough :)

[Doom Sayer]

Αναρτήθηκε αρχικά από A.:

Αναρτήθηκε αρχικά από FloosWorld:

And installing it on the one you use for gaming (probably also the one with AoE 4?) is not an option?

It's an option but I have a long list of unplayed games so I don't want to add AOE2 into that pile 😅I already have my hands on AOE4 to start with (I enjoy AOE4 btw) and mainly got curious as to how AOE2 stood the test of time.

It would just feel weird to me if I start playing AOE2 which is technically the lower version of the new game I got. I mean I am down for it though if I weren't cost cutting.

Yeah its a strange feeling when you have too many unplayed/finished games.

[SPHiNX]

Αναρτήθηκε αρχικά από A.:

Αναρτήθηκε αρχικά από FloosWorld:

And installing it on the one you use for gaming (probably also the one with AoE 4?) is not an option?

It's an option but I have a long list of unplayed games so I don't want to add AOE2 into that pile 😅I already have my hands on AOE4 to start with (I enjoy AOE4 btw) and mainly got curious as to how AOE2 stood the test of time.

It would just feel weird to me if I start playing AOE2 which is technically the lower version of the new game I got. I mean I am down for it though if I weren't cost cutting.

In that case, when you do download the game, dont download the graphics enhanced version, it's a lot bigger file, and really the base game is fine :)
look forward to seeing you out there amigo!

Wololo!

[mmmcheesywaffles]

Αναρτήθηκε αρχικά από A.:

Αναρτήθηκε αρχικά από FloosWorld:

And installing it on the one you use for gaming (probably also the one with AoE 4?) is not an option?

It's an option but I have a long list of unplayed games so I don't want to add AOE2 into that pile 😅I already have my hands on AOE4 to start with (I enjoy AOE4 btw) and mainly got curious as to how AOE2 stood the test of time.

It would just feel weird to me if I start playing AOE2 which is technically the lower version of the new game I got. I mean I am down for it though if I weren't cost cutting.

I suspect the two games are enough different that you could enjoy both.

I can think of several games where that is so. X4 and X-Rebirth; AoE II HD and AoE II DE; AoE II HD and AoE III; Railroad Tycoon 2 and RRT3. just for a few starters.

EDIT: framing error

[FloosWorld]

Αναρτήθηκε αρχικά από dangermouse:

Αναρτήθηκε αρχικά από A.:

It's an option but I have a long list of unplayed games so I don't want to add AOE2 into that pile 😅I already have my hands on AOE4 to start with (I enjoy AOE4 btw) and mainly got curious as to how AOE2 stood the test of time.

It would just feel weird to me if I start playing AOE2 which is technically the lower version of the new game I got. I mean I am down for it though if I weren't cost cutting.

In that case, when you do download the game, dont download the graphics enhanced version, it's a lot bigger file, and really the base game is fine :)
look forward to seeing you out there amigo!

Wololo!

True. The Enhanced Graphics aka 4K DLC is actually only useful when you have a monitor with at least ''27

Αναρτήθηκε αρχικά από mmmcheesywaffles:

Αναρτήθηκε αρχικά από A.:

It's an option but I have a long list of unplayed games so I don't want to add AOE2 into that pile 😅I already have my hands on AOE4 to start with (I enjoy AOE4 btw) and mainly got curious as to how AOE2 stood the test of time.

It would just feel weird to me if I start playing AOE2 which is technically the lower version of the new game I got. I mean I am down for it though if I weren't cost cutting.

I suspect the two games are enough different that you could enjoy both.

I can think of several games where that is so. X4 and X-Rebirth; AoE II HD and AoE II DE; AoE II HD and AoE III; Railroad Tycoon 2 and RRT3. just for a few starters.

EDIT: framing error

I suspect the same. Each AoE plays different

[对不起我只会说英语]

Lol, I went to check if AOE2 was still on sale, trying to see if I'd give in to temptation, but it's now on full price. On the other hand, the black sheep of the franchise (AOE3) is still on sale 🤣

[Whakahoatanga]

Αναρτήθηκε αρχικά από A.:

Lol, I went to check if AOE2 was still on sale, trying to see if I'd give in to temptation, but it's now on full price. On the other hand, the black sheep of the franchise (AOE3) is still on sale 🤣

AOE3 is definitely not the worst game in the franchise.

To answer your OP, AOE2 is simply an eternal classic like Chess. Just because there are other games which came after it doesn't mean people stop playing it.