LogFAQs > #953105697

And so I'll talk a little about the actual game, now that I've bored you with the history of it. Why do hundreds of thousands of people still regularly play this old game? Well, it's because it is the best real-time strategy game ever created. Maybe when they make a better one, people will move on.



It should be no surprise to you that I consider it the best, seeing as I have it at the top of my list. The game has an incredible amount of content. Now, dozens of single-player campaigns, over 30 unique civilizations to choose from, and the heart of the game, the "Random Map" mode. Random Map is what makes Age of Empires II worth playing, and endlessly replayable. Whether against the computer or online, you play every game on a unique procedurally-generated map, and the odds of seeing that exact iteration of the map before or after are practically zilch. There are hundreds of map templates to choose from, ranging from battles on islands, to the classic "Arabia," to mountainous highlands or the Asian steepes. While only a few dozen templates are high enough quality to see regular play at the highest level, there are all kinds of options that offer distinct experiences. Seeing as every game is unique, Age of Empires II encourages on-the-fly thinking and problem solving that you don't find many other places. Basic build orders have been refined over decades, but there is still a large amount of improvisation that occurs every time based on the massive (or even minute) differences that each map generation presents, the civilization matchup, and the playstyle of your opponent(s). It introduces a bit of chance into the game, so the better player may be crippled by a bad map. But the best players find ways to overcome their disadvantages and prevail, which is satisfying when you do it, and also incredibly entertaining to witness.

The game supports up to eight players, and playing 4v4 team games is my cup of tea. I stick a lot to the standard maps, but also sometimes venture into the truly absurd ones, just for fun. Whatever map I play, I just really enjoy being on a team with others (even with strangers) and working together to come up with a winning strategy. Given how many civilization combinations there are, these team matchups are usually fresh and require some thinking to evaluate how to gain the advantage on your matchup.

But the number of maps, civilizations, campaigns, etc., should not put anyone off from trying the game. It's remarkably simple to pick up and play, if you have played any RTS game before. Through all the different options, each civilization plays basically the same. You start with a small base in the dark ages, and advance through research and production to an imperial age army. And the vast array of game modes, settings, difficulty levels, and so on make the game enjoyable for anyone at any skill level. The newest version has a pretty good ELO-based matchmaking system, so even online games will eventually pair you against someone that will be on your level. And like I said, as someone who was probably in the top 1 or 2 percent of all players when at my best, I still got wiped away by any of the top players. There are so many levels of play with tons of people to compete against wherever you fall. And then of course, you could play the single-player content for hundreds of hours before running out of campaigns and custom scenarios, and after that there are random map sessions against a myriad of different AI opponents. And after all that, there is a trove of thousands of player-made scenarios available online.

The game is pretty popular to watch online. I have not played a game in a while, but I pop onto YouTube or Twitch every few months to watch a random game. It never gets old for me. I included below a recording of a recent tournament final that shows the kind of energy and intensity that are found in broadcasts. Defending world champion Kai Kallinger versus 20-year veteran Darko Dautovic. Even if you don't understand all the rules, the enthusiasm is contagious.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_lD3tnlhaE&t=5280s

(Video should start at 1:28:00 for the fourth game of the series)

So it's a game that I love playing, and it's one of the few games that I love watching other people play. Honestly, if I was stuck with only being able to play and watch one game for the rest of my life, it would be this one, and I do not think I would ever get tired of it. For me, it is literally endlessly replayable. And it has produced so many of my favorite video game memories ever over 20 years, which makes it the easy choice for me for my number one game of all time!

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At least your mother tipped well