Age of Empires II Gold Edition

This Collection Contains 2 Great Age of Empires Titles



Age of Empires II Gold Edition unites the exciting game play of both Microsoft Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings and Age of Empires II: The Conquerors Expansion - plus additional content - for one compelling gaming experience.

Also includes Bonus Maps plus Learn from the Masters with Recorded Games!

1. Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings spans 1,000 years, from the fall of Rome through the Middle Ages, in which players control the destiny of one of thirteen civilizations.
   
2. Age of Empires II: The Conquerors Expansion will challenge veterans and novices to wage war on an epic scale with all-new civilizations, unique units and technologies, and campaigns based on infamous conquerors such as Attila the Hun, El Cid and Montezuma.

Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings

The sequel to the award-winning, best-selling real-time strategy game Age of Empires. Age of Empires II spans a thousand years, from the fall of Rome through the Middle Ages in which players lead one of 13  civilizations into greatness. The game keeps the epic scope of Age of Empires' game play while evolving the combat and economic features.

In addition to all the features found in the original Age of Empires, Age of Empires II enhances game play in the following areas:

Combat Options
Players can use garrisoning and military formations that add interesting tactical choices. Units are also smarter, with new artificial intelligence (AI) options like Guard, Patrol and Follow as well as multiple aggression levels.

Alternatives to Combat
Players can improve the economy of their civilization through trade and diplomacy options. In addition to gathering resources, they can trade at their own market or use trading routes with their allies. A market-based economy gives new options for players to buy, sell, and speculate on resources.

Diverse Cultures
Gamers command one of 13 mighty civilizations. These include the Franks, Japanese, Byzantines, Vikings, Mongols and Celts civilizations. Each civilization has unique attributes, buildings and technologies as well as a unique combat unit based on its historical counterpart.

Ease of Use
The William Wallace learning campaign makes it incredibly easy for new users to get started. The new two-layer interface lets players select the level of command buttons displayed based on their needs. Additionally, the game also includes production queues, rally points, customizable hot-key system, as well as expanded rollover help.

Achieve Victory in Many Ways
In contrast to the linear game play found in other real-time games, Age of Empires II lets gamers choose one of several ways to achieve world domination and ultimate victory:

• Domination of enemy civilizations
• Economic victory through accumulation of wealth
• Building and defending wonders of the world

Choose a Technology Path
Age of Empires II lets gamers choose from numerous technological paths to help lead their civilization to greatness. From an economic path of farming and craftsmanship to a military route of siege and naval warfare, the game comes with a technology tree that has more than 100 nodes, larger than one player could possibly complete in just one game.

Experience Intense Single & Multiplayer Game Play

• Story based campaigns focus on historical figures and their struggles like William Wallace, Joan of Arc, Genghis Khan, Barbarossa and Saladin bring the player much deeper into the game as they strive with the hero to victory.
• A new expert system driven computer player with artificial intelligence providing a solitaire opponent who seems human.
• Maps are larger which adds to the sense of exploration and allows more options for extended play particularly in multiplayer.
• The very popular Random map generator brings unlimited replay value for both multiplayer and single player.
• In addition to the traditional Deathmatch option, there is a new gameplay mode: Regicide, where players have to protect their Queen or King while they try to assassinate the enemy one.
• A Map editor extends also the game play by allowing users to create and exchange scenarios or link them into campaigns.

Multiplayer Game Support
Internet play for up to eight players via the MSN Gaming Zone, over a LAN or modem to modem.

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• Multimedia PC with Pentium 166MHz or higher processor.
• Microsoft Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows NT 4.0 with Service Pack 5 operating system.
• 32 MB of RAM
• 200 MB of hard disk space; additional 100 MB of hard disk space for swap file.
• Super VGA monitor supporting 800x600 resolution.
• Local bus video card that supports 800x600, 256 color resolution and 2 MB of VRAM
• Quad-speed CD-ROM drive.
• Microsoft Mouse or compatible pointing device.
• 28.8Kbps modem (or higher recommended) for internet or head-to-head play.
• Audio board with speakers or headphones.
• To access the MSN Gaming Zone you need Internet Explorer 3.02 or later software or Netscape Communicator 4.0 or later.

Internet access required for internet play. May require payment of a separate fee to an Internet Service Provider. Connect time and local telephone charges may apply.

 

Age of Empires II: The Conquerors Expansion

Official add-on to the award-winning, best-selling real-time strategy game Age of the Empires II: The Age of Kings.

Focusing on legendary leaders, The Conquerors will challenge veterans and novices to wage war on an epic scale with all-new civilizations, unique units and technologies, and campaigns based on infamous conquerors such as Attila the Hun, El Cid and Montezuma.

Age of Empires II: The Conquerors Expansion is developed by Ensemble Studios and features the expertise of Bruce Shelley, co-designer of Age of Empires.

Five New Civilizations
In addition to the 13 civilizations available in Age of Empires II, The Conquerors adds five additional civilizations to choose and command, including the Hun, Aztec, Mayan, Korean and Spanish. Each civilization has unique attributes, buildings and technologies, as well as a unique combat unit based on its historical counterpart.

Four New Historically Based Campaigns
The four new campaigns focus on historical figures such as Attila the Hun, El Cid and Montezuma, allowing players to ride alongside the Hun invasion of Europe, battle the Moors in Spain, preside over the siege of Tenochtitlan, or relive eight other battles that became turning points in history, such as Agincourt, Manzikert and Hastings, with such conquerors as Henry V, Yi Sun-shin and Erik the Red.

Eleven Entirely New Units
New units include the Hussar cavalry unit, the halbedier infantry unit, the turtle boat, and the petard, an explosive kamikaze siege unit. Among the unique combat units are the Aztec Jaguar Man, Mayan Plumed Archer, Spanish Conquistador and Hun Tarkan.

Twenty-Six New Technologies
While the standard technology tree boasts more than 100 nodes, players now can opt for additional technologies such as caravans, herbal medicine, the thumb ring, heresy, bloodlines and theocracy. In addition, each civilization will have access to new unique technology, such as Chinese Rocketry, Japanese Kataparuto, British Yeomen and Persian Mahouts.

Challenging New Game Choices
Players can invigorate their gameplay and experience a world beyond Deathmatch with compelling new games such as Defend the Wonder, King of the Hill and Wonder Race.

Different Map Types
To make gameplay more varied and competitive, several new maps have been added, including the dense rainforests of Yucatan and the frozen waters of Ghost Lake. All-new Real-World Maps allow players to re-create classic conflicts in geographic areas such as Italy and Japan.

Farms That Automatically Replant
Players can queue farms so they automatically replant after all the crops have been gathered.

Ship Formations
Ships move in formation, just like land units.

RAM Garisoning
Units can garrison inside Battering, Capped and Siege Rams for protection and to increase the ram's speed and attack.

Smart Villagers
Villagers work smarter, build walls more intelligently and automatically gather resources after constructing a drop-off building.

Commands for Allied Computer Players
Players can use chat commands to order allied computer players to attack, pay tribute by offering resources, and build an economy or military.

Multiplayer Game Support
Internet play for up to eight players via Zone.com over a LAN or modem to modem.

• Full version of Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings.
• Multimedia PC with Pentium 166MHz or higher processor.
• Microsoft® Windows® 95, 98, Me, NT 4. with SP5, 2000 or XP
• 32 MB of RAM for Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows ME; 64 MB for Windows NT or Windows 2000
• 100 MB of hard disk space for a typical install (in addition to the original Age of Empires II required disk space); additional 100 MB of hard disk space for swap file.
• Super VGA monitor supporting 800x600 resolution.
• Local bus video card that supports 800x600, 256 color resolution and 2 MB of VRAM.
• Quad-speed CD-ROM drive.
• Microsoft Mouse or compatible pointing device.
• 28.8Kbps modem (or higher recommended) for internet or head-to-head play.
• Internet access required for internet play.
• Audio board with speakers or headphones or headphones recommended.

"One of the most popular strategy games of all time."
     - Newsweek

"The most heart-stopping, in-your face strategy game ever..."
     - Time

"Beautiful strategy and War Game."
     - New York Post

"An excellent expansion to what remains as one of the best real-time strategy game sto date."
     - Gamespot

"The Age of Kings is clearly an educational game."
     - U.S. News & World Report

* * * * * (5 stars)
     - Computer Games