7 Of The Best Games Like Age of Empires To Play

Are you looking for Games Like Age of Empires To Play? 🤔 We collected 7 of the best ones for you in this guide.

Let’s get started. 🐱‍🐉

The Age of Empires (AoE) is a Real-Time Strategy (RTS) game that was released in the market way back in 1997. Yup, that is right. You will be astonished to know that more than 1 million gamers are joining the series, each month. 

Now, that is something to cheer for. Probably no other game, apart from one of the two have stolen the limelight as Age of Empires (AoE). The best part about these players is that they do not walk away during the middle of the series. 

But, they play the full game. These details were provided by their sales director, who is extremely proud of the entire team. The latest Age of Empires (AoE) was the III part, released in the year 2005. 

It has been quite a while for almost 15 years now. So, why is the Age of Empires (AoE) 4 still not out? Well, we do not know the exact reasons. According to the official word, the game is still in the development stage. 

Gaming enthusiasts were hoping for some news during the XO19; apparently, the company wants to hold things close to their chest. According to gaming experts, the best Age of Empires (AoE) was the II part. 

It was popular in those days because of the Real-Time Strategy (RTS) mode of playing. Those days saw it compete with the likes of Age of Mythology and Rise of Nations. The most astonishing fact was that the company released the III part, with a lot of expectations.

But, the game was not popular as expected because gamers were quite content with the AOE II. There is no denying that the Age of Empires (AoE) is making immense progress even today. 

The masterpiece has still been able to claim its throne as far as Real-Time Strategy (RTS) games are concerned. It is able to bring you the bygone era of the Iron Age and Stone Age, to today when colonialism raised its ugly head in beautiful America. 

A little about the Age of Empires (AoE) game

What is this Real-Time Strategy (RTS) game about? Why are gamers hooked on it? What is so special about it, that even today people have a craze for it? Does the Age of Empires (AoE) even have competition?

These are some interesting questions that have been raised by gamers. The concept in this game has always been simple. You have to manage your town or city. Your main aim is to build cities that consist of homes, businesses, farms, dams, and so on. 

Basically, the characteristics of a town are beautifully described herein in a traditional manner. You are in charge of them all. The smarter your decisions are, the better you can attack and tackle your foes. 

Sometimes it does get slightly monotonous, but that is how Real-Time Strategy (RTS) games are. Nobody to date has called the game of Chess boring. In fact, you can find Chess players very agile and intelligent. 

Likewise, the Age of Empires (AoE) develops your management skills and enables you to become a smarter individual. So why alternatives or games like the AOE? There is no specific reason for you to be searching for similar games. 

Perhaps, you want to try your hand at similar games or maybe are bored with it. Perhaps you want to add some spice to your Real-Time Strategy (RST) games.

When you want to experience similar games like the Age of Empires to sink your teeth into, then please read our list of RTS games quite the same as the masterpiece.

Best Games Like Age of Empires: Our Top Pick 👌

1. Age of Mythology: Extended Edition

We felt that the Age of Mythology deserves first place on our list of games like Age of Empires. As the name goes, it is quite the same as the age of empires, only that there are few changes or minor alterations here and there. 

The irony here is that Age of Mythology is designed by the same makers who made Age of Empires. So, you can get a sniff of what is to come. The makers, Ensemble Studios, prepared something quite similar, only that this game is more focused on the Norse period. 

The Age of Empires is more towards managing your resources and building towns. However, this game takes place in Atlantis and concentrates on legends. As a player, you have to select civilizations, including Egyptian, Norse, and Greek. 

Similar to the AOE, this one too comes with its own culture and religion. You can choose the one that you are attracted to. There is not much of a difference between them all, but they are worth trying out and spending time with. 

Once you have chosen your God and the Empire, you have to play and unlock the Gods and powers. These are vital for your success in the game. The game was an instant hit upon its release, no surprises there. 

Below is the summary of the main Pros and Cons of the Age of Mythology: Extended Edition that makes it add to the Best Games Like Age of Empires list.

Pros:-

• It is much more advanced than the Age of Empires. 
• The game comes with the multiplayer feature enabling you to play with several gamers. 
• It comes with a gripping storyline. 
• The music is powerful and additive for gamers who are delighted with it. 
• The visuals and graphics seem to be refreshing when compared to the AOE.
• Gamers have expressed immense faith in the Age of Mythology. 

Cons:-

• The game is quite popular among European players than American players; no explanation is available. 

The Age of Mythology is available on Steam for less than $30. 

Age of Mythology is definitely on your go-to list of RTS games. If you are one of those hardcore fans of Age of Empires, then the Age of Mythology is going to squash that with intense force. The game comes with all the ingredients that need to blow you off.

2. Civilization VI

Civilization VI is next on the list and is another gripping yet, powerful RTS game, just for you. So, why Civilization VI? Let us find out if this game can click all the boxes like the games like Age of Empires. 

Civilization IV was designed and made by Sid Meier, who is known as the smartest and legendary game designer. You want to rule the world by using your powers slowly from scratch. Once you have established dominance, there is no stopping you. 

The game helps you test the time. Once you begin playing the game, you become part of a nomadic tribe to evolve into a powerful nation. As the name goes, your main aim is to make a superpower out of the limited resources that are at your disposal. 

You want to become a superpower and dominate the rest of the regions. However, that is easier said than done because you have to use mental sharpness and smartness to extreme levels. Professional gamers have claimed that this game is the test of time. 

The series of this game is a tough one to call. You will not be left disappointed. The visuals and graphics are an equal delight too.

Not to mention, its music is a masterpiece that is the encore. Gamers have said that the depth of your planning is intense when compared to the Age of Empires as well as the Age of Mythology. 

As we read, both of them are highly rated RTS games and maybe more popular than Civilization IV. But, when it comes to the excitement and thrill factor, there is nothing that beats this game. 

You have everything in it. There is religion, diplomacy, building a nation, and tons of other choices that are going to give you immense sensation. At the same time, new gamers seem to be a little lost. 

They feel that they are not part of the strategy. You see, that is the beauty of these RTS games. You need to be acquainted with it first, and then the game comes to you.

Initially, a few times might be slightly off guard, but once you get accustomed to them, they are some sort of addiction. 

The game gives you new powers to engage with how you see the world. In some cases, it might alter the way you think the world functions. You compete with leaders who you respect and admire, and try to beat them at their own game using a sturdy agenda. 

Below is the summary of the main Pros and Cons of Civilization VI that makes it add to the Best Games Like Age of Empires list.

Pros:-

• The game is vast and expansive. 
• You have tons of cities to think and act about. 
• Gamers need to be proactive in their decisions because each city and civilization is different from the other. 
• This game gives you immunity through diplomacy. Use your philosophical thinking to catch the extra mile. 
• There is a multiplayer mode where you can compete with gamers. 
• Gamers are provided with a tutorial system to understand the game better and play activities. 

Cons:-

• The game can be very dragging for new gamers. 

Civilization IV can be bought on Amazon for slightly more than $35. Should you play it? Why not, could the appropriate answer for that. The game comes with all the elements one can ask for. 

When you are alright with the fact that you have to spend more time and effort on this game, then it is one RTS game, you will find it hard to ignore.

3. Starcraft 2

Starcraft 2 is next on the list of our search for the games like Age of Empires. Let us see if it fits the bill. Its designers were David Kim, Dustin Browder, and Mike Heiberg.

It is centered around space and comes developed by Blizzard Entertainment who seem to have done a decent job. 

This is based on the 25th century and 26th-century era where 4 species are fighting each other for domination. Starcraft 2 was divided into 3 parts to enable the makers to give the real picture to gamers. 

Players have the option of choosing what they want to play. You can choose from any one of the species of your liking. Which species is more powerful we won’t say and ruin the excitement. 

Each of them comes with its storyline and gameplay. You will have to blend in with each one of them to understand their game plan. Gamers would be glad to learn that this game was one of the fastest-selling RTS games during release. 

During the first month itself, it sold more than 3 million copies of the game. The RTS game comes with its ups and downs. Some users have appreciated the graphics and realistic visuals. At the same time, some gamers felt that the music could have improved. 

Well, we leave it up to you to decide. The intergalactic war game has received numerous awards including the prestigious Best Performance by a Human Female by VGX Award.

Below is the summary of the main Pros and Cons of Starcraft 2 that makes it add to the Best Games Like Age of Empires list.

Pros:-

• The visuals are just fantastic and pleasant to the eyes. 
• This game can be played on your Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X devices. 
• The storyline is exceptional and fantastic. 
• The game has received awards. 
• It was the fastest-selling game at the time of release with 3 million copies sold. 

Cons:-

• Few gamers noted that it is more of an action-packed game than an RTS one. 

It is available on Battle.net for $40 and is also free to try. Do you want to download and play Starcraft 2? Definitely, you must consider getting it and trying it out at least once. We felt that this is a worthy alternative for games like Age of Empires.

3. Rise of Nations

This RTS game is on our list as a worthy competitor for Age of Empires (AoE). Rise of Nations was developed by Big Huge Games and comes with more than 17 civilizations. It also has more than 6 pages of world history. 

Gamers would be happy to know that this Real-Time Strategy (RTS) game has been considered one of the best games of all time. The game mainly focuses on the territory of the civilizations. 

Players can build and construct around their territory. They might not want to take the risk of constructing elsewhere, or you will be attacked. You need to make more friends build homes near their borders too. 

This way, you are gaining access slowly to their territory. Not to mention, you gain advanced weapons, and you can demolish your opponents easily. You do not want them to get access to those weapons, or your territory will be most likely over. 

There are over 90 military units present in the game. Each of them has its superpowers. You can find more than 15 buildings having their technologies that enable you to become a society from a city. 

Each of the nations comes with its wonders like the Eiffel Tower, the Taj Mahal, and others. You will love the maps present in the game. Each of them provides you with the exact location where you are and what you ought to do. 

Below is the summary of the main Pros and Cons of the Rise of Nations that makes it add to the Best Games Like Age of Empires list.

Pros:-

• The game has more than 16 civilizations each of them having its abilities. 
• The visuals are too good for an RTS game. 
• There is water, real-life buildings, and wonders of the world too.
• You have more than 90 military units.
• The game comes with the multiplayer option too. 

Cons:-

• Some users felt that the game was too overpowering at times. 

You can purchase the game from Steam for a little over $19. Do you want to play Rise of Nations? Yes, you might want to download it right away and experience the storyline and immerse yourself in the plot. 

This game spans all history.

4. Command and Conquer: Tiberium Alliances

The Command and Conquer: Tiberium Alliances is a military-based RTS game that we decided to put up on your list. Is this game worth it? When compared to games like Age of Empires, it may not hit the bell, but it is one of the best games around. 

The main reason for that being, it is almost a copy of the game known as Dune 2. Having said that, the game focuses on a single storyline. What makes the game exciting is the MMO elements. Players can take the segment that they want to begin play. 

This way, they begin to grow the base. You can build massive buildings and camps. This way, you can engage in battles with your enemy. The game plot is to be able to survive attacks so that you can build your Empire.

Remember, the base will be protected only for a week, and after that, you have to offer your protection. The ideal method to protect your base is with the help of Tiberium. The more you advance into your enemies’ territory, the more powers you are provided with. 

Below is the summary of the main Pros and Cons of the Command and Conquer Tiberium Alliances that make it add to the Best Games Like Age of Empires list.

Pros:-

• The game is quite exciting.
• It gives you an immersive feel as you play along. 
• The plot is interesting and offers you plenty to make your mind about. 

Cons:-

• The graphics were not up to the mark. 

Of course, when you lose your base, you have reorganized and attacked your enemies. You can download the Command and Conquer: Tiberium Alliances for free. Do you want to play Command and Conquer: Tiberium Alliances? 

Though the game might not be very exciting as the ones mentioned above, you do want to play it. RTS games at times can be sluggish, but you never know. 

5. Empire Earth

The Empire Earth is the sixth game that we would like to review in comparison to the games like Age of Empires. The designer of the game is Rick Goodman. The game was published by Sierra Entertainment, Activision, Stainless Steel Studios, Vivendi Games, and others. 

Is this game your cup of tea? Let us find out. So far the first four games have been a blockbuster. The fifth one was slightly disappointing, but it is worth your time. If you love to fiddle around history, then this game is undoubtedly meant for you. 

That is because the game spans more than 300 000 years. As a player, your main job is to get resources and then start your construction. Once the cities are populated with people, you need to start preparing for conquering your neighbors. 

The idea and concept are quite simple as you can see. Apart from that, you will also like the fact that you have a map editor to design the empires as and when you want. There is the Hero system and the Morale system. 

These systems can easily affect your unit statistics. The first game of the series was released in 2001. It came with depth in the strategy and left professional gamers flummoxed. The expansion pack released the following but was not able to create a buzz. 

Then came on the list Empires: Dawn of the Modern World. Gamers felt that the game lacked creativity. Some even went on to say that it was not very appealing as the initial release.

Below is the summary of the main Pros and Cons of the Empire Earth that makes it add to the Best Games Like Age of Empires list.

Pros:-

• It is published by some of the reputed names in the industry. 
• This is a vast game that offers you lots to spare.
• It provides you with an in-depth strategy. 
• Most of its releases have been met with decent applause. 

Cons:-

• Some gamers thought that the game was not appealing. 

So, do you want to play this RTS game? Yes, you can. We felt that the game is suitable for gamers more than 30-35 years of age. That is because it is sort of a mature game. But we may be wrong.

6. Warcraft III – Reforged

Warcraft III – Reforged is similar to Age of Empires. The game series is classic. When you talk about RTS games, then Blizzard often pops up. They are one of the most popular brands in this segment. 

You know the game has a lot of substance when it is released by it. They are able to command performance and come with flair. So, is Warcraft III – Reforged similar to games like Age of Empires? Players gain control of creatures that lead them through epic journeys. 

Some of them include Undead, the Night Elves, Orcs, and others. You need to perform a ton of work like making an army, building a base, and then hiring forces for your liking. This way, you are empowering yourself for the attack. 

However, the new game in the series will be available only at the end of the year. It will bring you more visuals and creatures. You can play the older games like Warcraft III – Frozen Throne and Warcraft III – Reign of Chaos.

Below is the summary of the main Pros and Cons of the Warcraft III – Reforged that makes it add to the Best Games Like Age of Empires list.

Pros:-

• The game comes with an intense strategy. 
• The vision and storyline are quite significant. 
• You will enjoy the powers given to you, unlike in other games. 
• You can use both Windows as well as iOS.

Cons:-

• At times, the video game is generic. 

You can purchase it from Blizzard at less than $30. Is Warcraft 3 – Reforged your kind of game? The game has all the elements to make one of them. It comes with both the Frozen Throne and Reign of Chaos expansion. Players can make use of single-player strategy games.

7. Empire

Last on our list for our search for the games like Age of Empires is Empire. Unlike most of the games that were read about here, this game was designed in the 1970s. Gamers think that it is based on Civilization. 

This is a game that is free to play. It is an RTS game with superb elements added to it for that intense gaming session. Why should you play the RTS game? Well, let us see what it has to offer you. The game is based on the medieval age. 

You need to build your Empire and then decide if you want to attack or protect your Empire. The concept here is to design it such that your enemies do not attack it. You can build homes, castles, at the same time, create a vast army for yourself. 

You must control your army. Players are given maps to decide their base. You are then given several cities. When the collection of your cities keeps expanding, you are able to design many battleships. 

You have to use these to attack and conquer other cities.

Below is the summary of the main Pros and Cons of the Empire that makes it add to the Best Games Like Age of Empires list.

Pros:-

• There is an intense game plot. 
• The visuals are quite pleasing.
• As a player, you are given multiple options to build cities.
• The game is simple to play for newcomers too. 
• This is a classic design way back in the 1970s.

Cons:-

• Some players thought the game line was too in-depth for newcomers. 

Empire can be downloaded from GoodGame free of cost. So, what is our verdict? This is a good game that you should consider downloading and playing. The game comes with all the ingredients of a Real-Time Strategy (RTS) game.

📗FAQ’s on Games Like Age of Empires

Below are a couple of queries on Games Like Age of Empires that everyone is expecting to answer and I did include the same for my readers.

(Q) What kind of games are there like Age of Empires?

The Age of Empires (AoE) has been around for almost 3 decades now. It is going to be hard to replicate a game of this nature. However, gaming designers have come up with equally, if not better ones that you can find fun and exciting to play. 

According to some gaming experts, out of all the games present in the market today, the game, Age of Mythology is almost the same. Though other games are more or less similar, this one gives you the same setting as you get in Age of Empires. 

(Q) Do you have to pay to play the Age of Empires?

Initially, Age of Empires (AoE) was not free. However, in the year 2010, Microsoft gave an announcement that they will provide the game free online. Garnering its popularity on the internet, perhaps the firm decided to go with it. 

Users could play it on Windows Live. The game was developed in partnership with a firm called Robot Entertainment. However, you can play the game on any device, both Windows as well as iOS smartphones, thanks to KLab Games. 

(Q) Are Northgard and AOE the same?

If you have played the game Northgard, you get a feeling that it is more or less quite similar to that of Age of Empires (AoE). Well, this Viking-themed game comes with several seasons that are based on the same as Age of Empires (AoE). 

Yes, when you play the game, you do get a sniff of the same kind of plot and visuals as well. You could say that it is similar to the earlier versions of the Age of Empires (AoE). With several updates, today’s game is quite a contrast between Norse mythology.

(Q) How much does Age of Empires cost?

As of today, the price of the Age of Empires (AoE) on online retailers is around $20. It could be more on other websites; we are not sure about it. That is because the pricing keeps varying, and you are offered rates that keep changing often. 

Unfortunately, you cannot purchase it through Steam. The reason for that is because this is exclusive to the Windows market. However, the Definitive Edition can be played on your PC, and you can browse through the Microsoft website to find out. 

(Q) Are Age of Empires and the game civilization the same?

The Age of Empires (AoE) is not very similar or even close to civilization. Yes, both the games focus on the same theme and plot. But, what separates the two of them? Civilization is a pretty slow but not dull game as you control a culture. 

The game is based on strategy and pace. At the same time, Age of Empires (AoE) is where you control a town and concentrate more on building cities. Gamers have to save sources. So, both games are quite different from each other. 

Summing up

We have come to the end of our discussion on the best games like Age of Empires (AoE). We hope that you found the games listed to your liking. Each of the games comes with a storyline and strategy that you would want to play and find out. 

Not to mention, some of these fantastic games are free to download and play on your devices. You can play them on your smartphone, tablet, or PC. They also come with their elements of play.

If you want to know the best on the list, then we choose Age of Mythology and Civilization VI. These 2 games caught us on the hook. Not to mention, several gaming experts too felt the same about it. 

On that note, other games mentioned on the list are excellent. They have the calibre to give you arousal when you play them with gusto. It is heartening to see that despite the high-octane games gaining prominence games like these still have retained their charm.

These video games have reignited the passion for those Age of Empires (AoE) fans by coming up with similar storylines and visuals. Satisfying the gamers of today and making them happy is one thing. 

As you read, Age of Empires (AoE) has been around since 1997, and it is now almost 3 decades of play. There has to be something delightful about the game that makes players keep wanting for more. 

They have helped in enabling players to continue playing Age of Empires (AoE), which deserves more attention and time span among gamers. When you have a soft corner for the masterpiece, there is no reason why you should not like playing them. 

What are you waiting for?

Hurry up and download the games, they are waiting for you to explore them.