Age of Empires II: HD Edition vs Age of Empires II: The Conquerors
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, ratings, and alternatives.
Age of Empires II: HD Edition brings the beloved medieval RTS to modern PCs with updated graphics and all original content from Age of Kings and The Conquerors. Players guide villagers, build empires, and battle across four ages, from the Dark Age to the Imperial Age, using 18 distinct civilizations.
Age of Empires II: The Conquerors is the acclaimed expansion to the classic real‑time strategy masterpiece, adding five new civilizations, new campaigns, and a wealth of gameplay refinements. It builds on the solid foundation of the original, delivering deeper strategic options and richer historical scenarios for both solo and multiplayer experiences.
- Faithful HD remake of a classic RTS
- Extensive content from both base game and expansion
- Robust multiplayer and co‑op options
- Active modding community
- Rich addition of new civilizations
- Deep strategic depth
- Strong multiplayer community
- Extensive modding tools
- Graphics, while HD, are still dated by modern standards
- Limited to PC platform only
- Some AI behaviors feel outdated despite updates
- Graphics are dated compared to modern RTS titles
- AI can still be predictable on higher difficulties
- Limited native support for newer operating systems without patches
More alternatives & similar tools
Alternatives to Age of Empires II: HD Edition
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Lead historic civilizations to victory in timeless real‑time strategy battles.
Free-to-play MMO RTS that blends classic Age of Empires strategy with online RPG elements.
Alternatives to Age of Empires II: The Conquerors
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Expand your historical empire across time from Ancient Rome to 24th Century Mars.
Lead historic civilizations to victory in timeless real‑time strategy battles.
Lead new civilizations through history in this strategic expansion pack.
Lead civilizations through 15 epochs of human history in this epic real-time strategy game.
The Verdict
AI-generated from listing dataAge of Empires II: HD Edition (A) gives you the full game plus the Conquerors expansion at a lower price, while The Conquerors (B) is a higher‑priced, standalone expansion with better reviews but fewer total civilizations.
Key differences
- •A includes the original game and Conquerors expansion (all campaigns, 18 civs) for $19.99; B is only the Conquerors expansion (5 new civs) for $39.99.
- •A offers co‑op campaign play; B does not.
- •Critic scores differ sharply: A 50/100 vs. B 86/100.
- •A supports Steam Workshop modding; B mentions a map editor but no Steam integration.
- •Graphics: A is HD‑remastered (still dated), B offers HD enhancements but is older‑era graphics.
Pricing & value
A costs $19.99 and includes base game + expansion; B costs $39.99 and adds only 5 civs.
Gameplay & fun factor
B has higher critic score (86) indicating stronger overall gameplay perception.
Multiplayer / co‑op
A supports both multiplayer and cooperative campaign; B only supports multiplayer.
Content & replayability
A provides all original campaigns plus Conquerors, 18 civs total; B adds only 5 new civs.
Graphics & performance
Both described as dated; A is HD‑remastered, B has HD enhancements but both lag modern RTS visuals.
Platform availability
A is PC‑only via Steam; B is also PC‑only, but no mention of Steam integration.
Difficulty & accessibility
B’s upgraded AI is noted as more challenging; A’s AI still feels outdated.
Choose Age of Empires II: HD Edition if…
Buyers seeking the complete Age of Empires II experience at low cost, with co‑op and mod support.
Choose Age of Empires II: The Conquerors if…
Buyers who prioritize critical acclaim and a more polished AI over price and extra content.
Common questions
Which version gives me the full original game plus the Conquerors expansion?
Age of Empires II: HD Edition (A) includes all original campaigns and the Conquerors content.
Is there a price advantage to choosing one over the other?
Yes, A costs $19.99 while B costs $39.99.
Do both versions support multiplayer and co‑op?
A supports both multiplayer and co‑op campaign; B supports multiplayer only.