The Return of Rome Expansion Turns Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition Into The Game From Your Nostalgic Memories

In the past 20 years, Age of Empires 2, The cornerstone of the RTS genre, has been consistently viewed by many as this game. It was praised for the many improvements it made over the original game. Unique units were also added, as well as gates that prevent you from accidentally locking your warriors on screen. Age of Empires 2,It was a time almost as memorable and enduring as those in-game characters we enjoy playing. 

A groundbreaking sequel will always have an origin story, the one that began it all. Age of EmpiresThe latest expansion of the title does not leave behind. This is the latest update. Return of Rome, is set to bring integral parts of the game’s original content into Age of Empires II – Definitive EditionAs a self-contained package, it also includes some new and exciting additions. 

“We are literally taking the Age of Empires gameplay and putting it… inside Age of Empires 2,.”

Earnest Yuen, executive producer on Age of Empires II – Definitive EditionThis is a clear indication that Age of Empires players are at the center of all decisions regarding this new expansion. Age of Empires – The Rise of RomeAn expansion to the original game. 

“It’s a different type of expansion pack that we have never done before,” Yuen explains. “We are literally taking the Age of EmpiresPlaying the game and making it a part of a larger game Age of Empires 2,.” 

Return Two Rome

Return of RomeIt includes the 16 ancient civilisations that were featured in Age of Empires I, along with a brand-new civilization and 3 brand-new campaigns. It’s not a bolt on for Age of Empires II – Definitive EditionThe second version of the game does not include the original factions and rules. You’ll be able to switch between the two with ease. 

There is one exception to the faction exclusivity – Return of RomeThe game would not be complete without a Roman Civilization, and this expansion offers two. This expansion has a Roman faction, which focuses on earlier times in history. However, the new empire is based upon the later periods. Age of Empires II – Definitive Edition actually covers a later period in Roman history, and it’s been created from scratch especially for the game.

The Early Middle Ages began around 395 C.E., which makes them contemporary with Goths. Celts. Britons. Persians. By this point, Rome was – as told by the experts on the Age of Empires team – considered a crumbling shadow of its former glory, unable to pay for its soldiers or fortify its home effectively. 

“They say Rome wasn’t built in a day, but it also didn’t fall in one day either,” Yuen says. “So for those that love history, they can actually feel the differences between the earlier and later Roman factions.”

Yuen served as the executive producer for both of these films. Age of Empires Definitive editionThe goal was to create the most updated version of the original title 20 years ago. It was important that it ran on current systems, with improved graphics and still felt like the original. It was a steep learning curve, however. 

“We wanted newcomers to actually see what the game is like, while letting fans experience it all over again, and we learned a lot from it,” Yuen says. “The learning was that while the hardcore fans of the original Age of EmpiresFans are so happy that it’s hard to get new players. It’s still very old school, and some players are very used to the innovation that has happened in other awesome RTS games over the last two decades.” 

It was that inspiration that altered the team’s focus towards building the definitive version of the game that fans remember via subtle quality of life changes, not necessarily the exact original with all of its quirks. It’s now more like a merger of the two titles, optimized for a smoother all-round experience while retaining each game’s unique points. 

“When we released the original Age of Empires Definitive edition, people remembered the game having gates, factions having formations, but no, it didn’t have any of that, only Age of Empires 2, had those,” Yuen says. “But now we’re in the Age of Empires II – Definitive Edition engine, we’ve been able to add these quality of life tweaks.”

“Instead of rebuilding the definitive edition of the original game as it was, we want to build a definitive edition of the game in your head,” Yuen says. “But at our core, we want to make sure the original Age of Empires fans feel at home.” 

D3 Rules Official D3 Rules

You can also find out more about the following: Return of RomeA brand-new D3 game-mode is also included in the expansion. It’s an implementation of unofficial rulesets created for a very long time by Vietnamese Age of Empires fans. This ruleset limits players to only one unit of military up until bronze age. It also keeps everyone on the same level. There is also a brand-new faction: the Lac Viet. It’s Southeast Asian from the Neolithic Period. 

“The Vietnamese fans have been keeping the original Age of Empires alive for the last 25 years,” Yuen tells us. “They still have local tournaments, they stream online, and we wanted to honor that community for keeping the game alive for all of that time.” 

The D3 ruleset has long existed as a popular way for Age of Empires players to compete against each other, but it’s very much a handshake agreement with no actual in-game limitations. Now it’s an official mode, players can set up the game with the ruleset so everybody has to follow it no matter what – a much more pleasant and reliable D3 experience for those playing online.

“Ideally, it will spread internationally as well, so the Vietnamese fans can actually play with that ruleset against other people from all around the world,” Yuen says.”

There’s a lot here to keep existing Age of Empires fans happy, but this offering isn’t just for those that enjoyed the classic games all those years ago. They’re smooth and modern, and designed to entice newcomers, whether they’re familiar with RTS games or not. Age of Empires has always been a timeless game for anyone, but now it’s more accessible.  

“The franchise is 25 years old now, which means it’s cross generational,” Yuen says. “We have fans that played as a kid, that are now playing again with their own kids, and it’s fantastic.”

“One way that people describe Age of Empires that really resonates with me is that it’s kind of like real-time chess. That’s how people play it and think about it, and chess is timeless.” 

The battle is back! Age of Empires Return of RomeS & PC, May 16.|S and PC.