Here’s a first look at Age of Empires 2: Definitive Edition on console
Developers showed some juicy footage on Major Nelson’s podcast.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
What you need to know
Age of Empires 2: Definitive Editionhas beenofficially announcedat theAge of Empires' 25th Anniversary Broadcastto come to Xbox consoles on Jan. 31, 2023—and today we got our first real look at how gameplay will look on a console configuration. Creative DirectorAdam Isgreenappeared on The Official Xbox Podcast to field questions from Larry Hryb (Major Nelson) about the port and how the studio will truly bring this legendaryreal-time-strategy (RTS)game to life on the Xbox console.
The full broadcast of the footage can be viewed in our link above, which should start from where Adam begins to display the console gameplay. The user interface (UI) looks pleasantly clean and uncluttered, with quick access functions. Adam states the design for the UI was “similar toHalo Warsand other RTS games” in that you can immediately select your units, workers and buildings from the bottom of the screen.
Perhaps the most interesting part of the footage is when Adam shows a slick radial menu for grouping up units. Something that has previously been limited to F keys on a keyboard. With the radial menu, it shouldn’t take more than a couple of clicks to get to what you want, whether that be grouping up or upgrading buildings. The radial menu has apparently gone through various iterations and extensive testing with focus groups to reach its current state.
Adam was keen to emphasize how committedXbox Game Studiosare to ensuring that console players can perform on a competitive level with PC players with this port. With the console version, the player is put in more of a commander role than needing to micro-manage each individual task. An example of this is a huge quality of life change, your villagers will now automatically go to the nearest unassigned job. No need to crack the whip!See this in action at 44:55.It’s clear in this interview thataccessibilityis a high priority when it comes to crafting the controls for this game and Xbox Game Studios' other titles. It was touched upon that while a keyboard may be the definitive way to play RTS games, they want to make sure no player is left behind and that they can support every function via a two-button mouse. This concept has been a driving force behind the controller interface. It’s worth noting though, that console players are able to play with a keyboard and mouse if they choose.The Xbox console ports ofAge of Empires 2: Definitive Edition and Age of Empires IVwill launch next year in 2023. Age of Empires 2: Definitive Edition is scheduled to be released on Jan. 31, 2023. Both games will be available onXbox Cloud Gamingalong with the ever-expanding library ofXbox Game Pass games.
PC Game Pass
If you can’t wait for the console port, Age of Empires 2: Definitive Edition is already on PC Game Pass, or available to purchase directly via the Xbox Store. Just $1 for your first month, PC Game Pass offers incredible value and access to a huge library of titles.
Buy from:Microsoft|Amazon
Get the Windows Central Newsletter
All the latest news, reviews, and guides for Windows and Xbox diehards.
Jen is a News Writer for Windows Central, focused on all things gaming and Microsoft. Anything slaying monsters with magical weapons will get a thumbs up such as Dark Souls, Dragon Age, Diablo, and Monster Hunter. When not playing games, she’ll be watching a horror or trash reality TV show, she hasn’t decided which of those categories the Kardashians fit into. You can follow Jen on Twitter@Jenbox360for more Diablo fangirling and general moaning about British weather.
