Empire Earth II vs Empire Earth: The Art of Conquest
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, ratings, and alternatives.
Empire Earth II is a comprehensive real-time strategy game that spans the entire breadth of human history, from prehistoric tribes to futuristic sci-fi eras. Players take command of various nations across 15 distinct epochs, engaging in large-scale warfare, resource management, and diplomatic maneuvering. Developed by Mad Doc Software and published by Vivendi Universal, the game offers diverse single-player campaigns, cooperative modes, and robust multiplayer options. With complex mechanics like the war planner and a crown system for bonuses, it delivers a deeply tactical historical simulation.
Empire Earth: The Art of Conquest is the official expansion pack to the classic real-time strategy game, developed by Mad Doc Software and published by Sierra Entertainment. Building upon the foundation of the original game, this expansion introduces thrilling new strategic dimensions including unique civilization powers, distinct hero units, and two new playable civilizations: Japan and Korea. Players can immerse themselves in three distinct narrative-driven campaigns that span vastly different eras, taking them from the legendary battles of Ancient Rome through the global conflicts of World War II all the way to futuristic warfare on 24th Century Mars. With new units and expanded tactical options, it delivers a comprehensive challenge for strategy enthusiasts.
- Massive span of historical epochs to play through
- Deep tactical options with the war planner system
- Engaging single-player campaigns for major nations
- Robust multiplayer and co-operative support
- Adds compelling new civilizations like Japan and Korea
- Engaging campaigns spanning diverse historical and futuristic settings
- Introduces game-changing civilization powers and hero units
- Expands the strategic depth of the original Empire Earth
- Steep learning curve for newcomers to the series
- Pathfinding AI can occasionally struggle in tight formations
- Graphics show their age compared to modern RTS titles
- Graphics have aged significantly since its 2002 release
- Can be difficult to run on modern operating systems without community patches
- Balancing issues present in certain multiplayer match-ups
More alternatives & similar tools
Alternatives to Empire Earth II
View all →Expand your historical empire across time from Ancient Rome to 24th Century Mars.
Lead new civilizations through history in this strategic expansion pack.
Alternatives to Empire Earth: The Art of Conquest
View all →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.
Command global factions through five historical epochs in real-time strategy combat.
The Verdict
AI-generated from listing dataEmpire Earth II offers a broader epoch range and co‑op modes at a lower price, while The Art of Conquest adds new civilizations and hero powers but costs more and lacks co‑op.
Key differences
- •Epoch coverage: II spans 15 epochs (Stone Age to future); Art of Conquest focuses on specific eras (Ancient Rome, WWII, 24th‑century Mars).
- •New civilizations: Art of Conquest adds Japan and Korea with unique powers; II does not include these.
- •Co‑op support: II includes cooperative multiplayer; Art of Conquest only single‑player and competitive multiplayer.
- •Price: II is $9.99 vs. $19.99 for Art of Conquest.
- •Release date & graphics: II (2005) is newer but still dated; Art of Conquest (2002) has older graphics and may need patches for modern OS.
Gameplay & fun factor
Art of Conquest adds civilization‑specific powers and hero units, increasing tactical variety beyond II's war planner.
Platform availability
Both are PC titles; no platform differences are specified.
Price & value
II costs $9.99, half the price of Art of Conquest's $19.99, offering more epochs for less money.
Multiplayer / co‑op
II supports cooperative multiplayer in addition to competitive modes; Art of Conquest lacks co‑op.
Content & replayability
II's 15 epochs and crown system provide longer-term variety than Art of Conquest's limited era campaigns.
Difficulty & accessibility
II has a steep learning curve but is older; Art of Conquest may be harder to run on modern OS without patches.
Graphics & performance
II (2005) graphics are newer than Art of Conquest's 2002 visuals, though both are dated.
Choose Empire Earth II if…
Buyers who want more epochs, co‑op play, and lower cost.
Choose Empire Earth: The Art of Conquest if…
Buyers who prioritize new civilizations, hero powers, and varied campaign settings.
Common questions
Which game is cheaper?
Empire Earth II costs $9.99; Empire Earth: The Art of Conquest costs $19.99.
Do both games support cooperative multiplayer?
Only Empire Earth II includes cooperative multiplayer; The Art of Conquest does not.
Are there new civilizations not in the original game?
The Art of Conquest adds Japan and Korea with unique powers; Empire Earth II does not add new civilizations.