25 Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings Facts, Quotes and Gameplay Tips

Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings is a popular real-time strategy video game developed by Ensemble Studios and published by Microsoft. It was released in 1999 as the second installment in the Age of Empires series. The game is set in the Middle Ages and allows players to control one of 13 civilizations, each with its own unique units, technologies, and strengths.

Age of Empires Facts

1. Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings is a real-time strategy game developed by Ensemble Studios and published by Microsoft in 1999.
2. The game is set in the Middle Ages and allows players to control one of 13 civilizations, including the Britons, Franks, Mongols, and Aztecs.
3. Age of Empires II received critical acclaim upon release and is regarded as one of the greatest strategy games of all time. It has a strong fan base and a dedicated community that continues to play and mod the game today.
4. The game features various game modes, including single-player campaigns, multiplayer battles, and a map editor that allows players to create their own scenarios and campaigns.
5. Age of Empires II introduced several gameplay mechanics and features, including the ability to garrison units in buildings for defensive purposes, construct wonders that grant special bonuses, and research unique technologies and upgrades.
6. Each civilization in the game has its own unique units, technologies, and strengths, providing a diverse and balanced gameplay experience.
7. The game’s campaigns take players through different historical periods and events, including Joan of Arc’s campaign during the Hundred Years’ War and Saladin’s campaign during the Crusades.
8. Age of Empires II received an expansion pack called “The Conquerors” in 2000, which added new civilizations, campaigns, units, and gameplay enhancements.
9. The game’s success led to the release of another expansion pack, “The Forgotten,” in 2013, followed by “The African Kingdoms” and “Rise of the Rajas,” expanding the game with additional civilizations and campaigns.
10. In 2019, Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition was released, featuring improved graphics, enhanced gameplay mechanics, new civilizations, and quality-of-life improvements.
11. The game has an active competitive scene and is played in professional tournaments around the world, with dedicated players and teams competing for cash prizes.
12. Age of Empires II has had a significant impact on the real-time strategy genre and has influenced subsequent games in the series and other strategy games.
13. The game’s soundtrack, composed by Stephen Rippy, is highly regarded for its memorable and immersive music, capturing the atmosphere of different civilizations and scenarios.
14. Age of Empires II has been remastered and re-released multiple times, showcasing its enduring popularity and continued support from both the developer and the community.
15. The game’s popularity has led to a passionate modding community that has created custom scenarios, mods, and total conversion mods, expanding the game’s content and providing new experiences for players.
16. Age of Empires II features a wide array of units, including infantry, archers, cavalry, siege weapons, and naval vessels, each with their own strengths and weaknesses.
17. The game includes a variety of terrains, such as forests, rivers, mountains, and deserts, which impact gameplay and strategic decision-making.
18. Age of Empires II allows players to research technologies and upgrades to improve their civilization’s economy, military strength, and overall efficiency.
19. The game features a “random map” option, which generates unique maps for each game, providing a different experience with each playthrough.
20. Age of Empires II supports multiplayer gameplay, allowing players to compete or cooperate with others over a network or online.
21. The game’s “Wonder Race” mode challenges players to construct a wonder before their opponents, adding an extra layer of strategic planning and competition.
22. Age of Empires II has received several balance updates over the years, refining gameplay mechanics and addressing issues to ensure a fair and competitive experience.
23. The game’s popularity led to the creation of a dedicated fan community that continues to create mods, scenarios, and custom campaigns, expanding the game’s content and replayability.
24. Age of Empires II has been remastered and re-released multiple times, including the recent Definitive Edition, which brought enhanced visuals, improved gameplay features, and new content to the game.
25. Age of Empires II has had a significant cultural impact, inspiring memes, catchphrases (such as “wololo” from the game’s Priest unit), and a dedicated fanbase that keeps the game alive and actively supports its development.

Here are some tips to help you improve your gameplay in Age of Empires II:

• Economy Management: Establish a strong economy early on by gathering resources efficiently. Assign villagers to tasks such as gathering food, wood, gold, and stone. Maintain a balance between resource gathering and unit production.
• Scout the Map: Use your scout unit to explore the map and gather information about your surroundings. Identify key resources, potential threats, and opportunities for expansion.
• Plan your Strategy: Determine your strategy based on your civilization’s strengths and weaknesses. Each civilization has unique bonuses and units, so adapt your gameplay accordingly.
• Build Order: Develop a solid build order to optimize your early game. This includes the order in which you construct buildings, train units, and research technologies. A well-executed build order can give you an early advantage.
• Focus on Military: Train a diverse army composition to counter different unit types. Consider the strengths and weaknesses of your opponent’s units and adapt your military accordingly. Utilize unit formations and micro-management to maximize their effectiveness in battles.
• Defend and Expand: Secure your base with defensive structures like walls, towers, and castles. Expand your territory by establishing additional bases and securing key resources on the map.
• Utilize Upgrades: Research upgrades at your buildings to enhance the strength and efficiency of your units. Prioritize upgrades that align with your chosen strategy.
• Teamwork in Multiplayer: In multiplayer matches, coordinate and communicate with your teammates. Establish roles and strategies to maximize your team’s effectiveness.
• Map Control: Control key areas of the map to deny resources to your opponents and gain an advantage. Establish forward bases or outposts to maintain map control and launch attacks.
• Adapt and Learn: Analyze your games, learn from your mistakes, and adapt your strategy. Watch replays of skilled players to gain insights and improve your gameplay.

Here are some notable civilizations from Age of Empires II:

• Britons: Known for their longbowmen and strong defensive capabilities.
• Franks: Skilled in cavalry warfare, with powerful knights and paladins.
• Teutons: Specialize in heavy infantry and strong fortifications.
• Vikings: Excel in naval warfare and have raiding bonuses.
• Byzantines: Balanced civilization with strong defensive structures and diverse units.
• Chinese: Known for their powerful economy and unique technologies.
• Mongols: Skilled horse archers and conquerors, with bonuses for hunting and cavalry.
• Saracens: A versatile civilization with strong naval and archer units.
• Turks: Known for their gunpowder units and strong siege capabilities.
• Persians: Excel in cavalry warfare, with powerful war elephants and strong economies.
• Aztecs: Skilled in infantry and priests, with unique resources and powerful unique units.
• Mayans: Specialize in archery and resource management, with unique technologies.
• Koreans: Known for their strong defensive structures and powerful navy.
• Spanish: Excel in exploration and conquest, with strong conquistadors and gunpowder units.
• Celts: Skilled in infantry and siege warfare, with unique technologies and strong wood gathering.

Age of Empires II game controls

• Arrow Keys or WASD: Scroll the screen in different directions.
• Mouse Movement: Move the mouse cursor to navigate the screen.
• Left-Click: Select units, buildings, or objects on the screen.
• Right-Click: Issue commands such as moving units, attacking enemies, or building structures.
• Spacebar: Centers the screen on the selected unit or group of units.
• Backspace: Centers the screen on the last notification or event.
• Enter or Return: Opens or closes the chat window.
• Delete: Deletes the selected unit or structure.
• H: Selects all Town Centers.
• B: Opens the Build menu to construct new buildings.
• M: Opens the Military menu to train military units.
• I: Opens the Research menu to access upgrades and technologies.
• C: Opens the Civilian menu to manage and assign villagers.

Cheats

While playing Age of Empires II, you can utilize cheat codes to gain certain advantages in the game. However, it’s important to note that using cheats can alter the intended gameplay experience and may diminish the satisfaction of overcoming challenges legitimately. Here are some cheat codes for Age of Empires II:

• “marco” – Reveals the entire map.
• “polo” – Removes the fog of war, allowing you to see all units and buildings on the map.
• “rock on” – Gives you 1000 units of stone.
• “lumberjack” – Gives you 1000 units of wood.
• “robin hood” – Provides you with 1000 units of gold.
• “cheese steak jimmy’s” – Grants you 1000 units of food.
• “how do you turn this on” – Spawns a Cobra Car, a powerful armed car unit.
• “aegis” – Enables instant building and unit creation.
• “natural wonders” – Control over nature, enabling you to control animals.
• “black death” – Destroys all opponents on the map, resulting in an instant victory.
• “i r winner” – Results in an instant victory.
• “resign” – Causes you to resign from the game, resulting in a loss.

Here are 25 memorable quotes from “Age of Empires II”:

• “Wololo” – The iconic sound made by Priests when attempting to convert enemy units.
• “Ahhh, ahhh… uhhh!” – Sound made by Villagers when selected.
• “Yes” – Standard acknowledgement response from units when given an order.
• “Ready” – Response from units when assigned a task.
• “Oui, milord” – Response from French units when given an order.
• “I’m gonna get you!” – Sound made by War Elephants when selected.
• “For England!” – Battle cry of English Longbowmen.
• “I need gold” – Request made by units when resources are low.
• “Allah” – Battle cry of Saracen units.
• “Infidel!” – Taunt used by Saracen units.
• “Ah, gold, wonderful gold!” – Response from units when collecting gold.
• “I live!” – Sound made by a unit after being healed by a Monk.
• “Ahhh, siege onagers!” – Response from units when facing enemy siege weapons.
• “They’ve broken through!” – Exclamation made by units when enemy forces breach defenses.
• “I need a castle” – Request made by units when resources are sufficient to build a castle.
• “Byzantine scum!” – Taunt used by units against Byzantine opponents.

Where to Play

1. Steam: Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition, which includes all the expansions and enhanced graphics, is available on the Steam platform. You can purchase and download the game from the Steam store: https://store.steampowered.com/app/813780/Age_of_Empires_II_Definitive_Edition/
2. Microsoft Store: Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition is also available on the Microsoft Store for Windows 10 users. You can find and download the game from the Microsoft Store: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/p/age-of-empires-ii-definitive-edition/9nq0dlgpc5g8
3. Xbox Game Pass: If you have an active subscription to Xbox Game Pass for PC or Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, you can play Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition as part of the subscription. Visit the Xbox Game Pass website for more information: https://www.xbox.com/en-US/xbox-game-pass/pc-games

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