Age of Empires IV vs Age of Empires II Definitive Edition
The short answer
Age of Empires II is still the better competitive game and has by far the larger player base. Age of Empires IV is more accessible, has excellent documentary-style campaigns, and its civilisations are more mechanically distinct. For multiplayer, II. For single-player, IV.
What they have in common
Same series, same villager-and-age-up structure, and both are actively supported with regular updates.
Pick Age of Empires IV if you are new or here for campaigns.
The tutorials are genuinely good, the historical documentary segments between missions are a real highlight, and civilisations play very differently from each other.
Pick Age of Empires II if you want the multiplayer.
Twenty-five years of balance, an enormous ranked ladder, and more civilisations than anything else in the genre. The Definitive Edition modernised it properly.
Frequently asked questions
Should I play Age of Empires IV or Age of Empires II Definitive Edition?
Age of Empires II is still the better competitive game and has by far the larger player base. Age of Empires IV is more accessible, has excellent documentary-style campaigns, and its civilisations are more mechanically distinct. For multiplayer, II. For single-player, IV.
What do Age of Empires IV and Age of Empires II Definitive Edition have in common?
Same series, same villager-and-age-up structure, and both are actively supported with regular updates.
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Buy This Game
* Affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
More head-to-heads are on the comparisons page.
