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Age of Empires

Age of Empires (1997)

by Ensemble Studios, MacSoft Games, Microsoft
Genres:Strategy, Real Time Strategy (RTS)
Themes:Historical, Warfare
Game modes:Single player, Multiplayer
Story:Age of Empires (AoE) is a history-based real-time strategy video game developed by Ensemble Studios and published by Microsoft. The game uses the Genie, a 2D sprite-based game engine. The game allows the user to act as the leader of an ancient civilization by advancing it through four ages (the Stone, Tool, Bronze, and Iron Ages), gaining access to new and improved units with each advance.Show more
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Stories about this game (7)
What’s your memory of Age of Empires?Share your favorite moments and see what others remember about this game.
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If not sure what to write:
  • What made this game unforgettable?
  • Who did you play this game with?
  • What made it fun or challenging?
  • Why do you want this game on GOG?
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@~ Akuburanir ~January 12, 2025
Premier jeu que j'ai acheté sur PC, je pouvoir seulement y jouer sur le pc de travail de ma mère pendant les vacances. Il m'a donné goût à l'histoire, même s'il y a quelques erreurs. J'ai passé énormément de temps dans l'éditeur de cartes pour faire mes propres aventures. Cela m'a donné également plus tard au modding.
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@AndreasqiaoJanuary 29, 2025
My very first PC game and my childhood as well. It's simple yet addictive. The first time I've ever seen that wololo priest, never seen that done in other RTS games, except the sequel.
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@TheStrangeFlanJanuary 29, 2025
First strategy game I was ever given to play... and made a mess of it by focusing on building cities because it was cool. Oh, to be 9 years old all over again...
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@dix.selkenJanuary 29, 2025
Age of Empires is a true relic of the RTS Genre. This game is one of the main reasons i became interested in history, which later expanded to my interests in economics and politics. I remember getting this game in xmas 1998 and my life changed ever since. This game was simply enough to learn, but hard enough in the main campaigns to pose a true challenge. This game has aged relatively well to be a worthy addition to GoG's DRM-free catalog, even without the later remasters.
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@ion00January 30, 2025
Yes, AOE 2 improved the gameplay A LOT, but for me the first AOE will always have a special place in my heart. I've been playing this game for over 25 years now. I don't think it has ever left my hard drive. This game is pure nostalgia for me. The music especially gets me every time I hear it, especially the expansion OST. In case you didn't know there's an unofficial patch (called UPatch) that lets you play the game on modern operating systems flawlessly. It also adds some much needed balance changes, although unfortunately range units still reign supreme. The game is owned by Micros*ft so I'm not getting my hopes up.
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@TombaZocktJanuary 30, 2025
-Translated from German to English, with Google:- The game was my first RTS as a child. I sat in front of the screen for an evening, I should have been asleep. My mother came in twice and told me off. The third time she ripped the cables from the screen like a madman, which were still screwed on at the time - all the pins were bent and I had to go to bed. A great time. :) -German:- Das Spiel war mein erstes RTS in der Kindheit. Ich saß einen Abend gebannt vor dem Bildschirm, ich sollte eigentlich schon schlafen. Meine Mutter ist 2x reingekommen und hat mich ermahnt. Beim dritten Mal riss sie wie eine Furie an den Kabeln vom Bildschirm, die damals noch festgeschraubt waren - alle Pins verbogen und ich musste ins Bett. Eine tolle Zeit. :)
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@DV2FOXJanuary 30, 2025
Never got able to finish this entry back then and the remake's path finding issues are a deal breaker. If this gets ported it'll be a pleasure... Please keep ALL the languages!
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