Age of History 2: Definitive Edition Review Summary

Improvements over original game: The game is noted for its significant improvements and fixes over the original game. Players appreciate the new features and enhancements that make it better than its predecessor.

Best game in the series: Many players consider this game to be the best in the Age of History series, surpassing previous versions like AoH2 and AoH3.

New features and mechanics: The game introduces many new options, features, and mechanics, which players find interesting and valuable.

Enjoyable and engaging gameplay: Players consistently describe the gameplay as enjoyable, engaging, and addictive. The game is praised for being simple, fun, and well done.

Bug fixes and improvements: Players appreciate the quick response to bugs and the overall improvements made to the game, including significant enhancements and quality-of-life updates.

Excessive bugs: There are numerous reports of bugs in the game, ranging from technical issues to general bugs that affect gameplay. This suggests a need for significant bug fixing.

Missing leaders: Players have noted the absence of images and names of nation leaders, which affects the immersion and completeness of the game.

Lack of updates: There is a concern about the potential lack of updates and significant improvements, with players feeling the game is a cash grab.

Reskin of the original: Players feel that the game is too similar to the original, with minor improvements and not enough innovation.

Localization issues: There are problems with localization, particularly with garbled text in the Chinese translation and incomplete translations in general.

Larger map with more provinces: There is a demand for a bigger map with more provinces, around 14k, and more scenarios to enhance the gameplay experience.

Diplomacy mechanics need improvement: Players frequently mention issues with diplomacy, including annexation and threats. They suggest enhancing the overall diplomacy system for better gameplay.

AI behavior improvements: Players note issues with AI interactions and behavior, suggesting enhancements for better gameplay.

Enhanced modding support: There is a strong desire for better mod support and modding capabilities to enhance the game's longevity and community engagement.

War and independence mechanics: Feedback highlights concerns with nations declaring war and war of independence mechanics. Players want more control and better mechanics around war declarations.

Performance issues and lag: Players experience stuttering and lag after a short period of gameplay. The game also runs worse than the original, with inconsistent performance and low FPS on some systems.

Game crashes frequently: The game crashes often, especially when moving armies or during gameplay. This issue is prevalent and affects the overall gaming experience significantly.

Various technical bugs: The game has numerous technical bugs that affect gameplay. These bugs need to be addressed to improve the game's stability and performance.

High RAM usage: The game has a memory leak issue, leading to high RAM usage and potential performance problems.

Interface and resolution issues: There are issues with the mouse cursor and interface, especially on specific resolutions and setups like second monitors.

Highly recommended by players: Many players strongly recommend trying or buying the game, especially for those who enjoyed similar games or are new to the series.

Wait for updates: Some players suggest that the game is worth waiting for updates or additional content before purchasing or continuing to play.

Not recommended by some: A few players advise against buying the game, suggesting to save money or play alternative games instead.

Requests for additional features: Players express a desire for multiplayer support and more updates or addons to enhance the gaming experience.

Focus on specific gameplay aspects: Suggestions for the game to focus more on state development and conquest to enhance player engagement.

Community fair range: $6.00 - $8.00.

Session length: 1.5h.

The game offers immediate visual appeal and can be fun quickly for strategy enthusiasts, but control issues and lack of multiplayer support can hinder early enjoyment. The fun may drop off after initial excitement due to limited content.

Reported time to anchor: 1h.

Friction: Jumpy controls on PC; Performance issues during late game; Lack of multiplayer support.

Unlock drivers: Improved graphics and interface; Forming unique empires.

Franchise Fan: Engages deeply with the game mechanics and appreciates the evolution of the series. Motivation: Loyalty to the series and enjoyment of its unique elements. Stance: buy.

Accessibility Seeker: Prefers games that are easy to pick up and play without a steep learning curve. Motivation: Enjoyment of simple and accessible gameplay mechanics. Stance: buy.

Critical Evaluator: Analytical and critical of game development and value for money. Motivation: Seeking value and significant improvements in new releases. Stance: no buy.

The game exhibits significant performance issues across both hardware cohorts, with memory leaks and crashes being commonly reported. Players with higher VRAM also report dissatisfaction with the lack of support for higher frame rates.

Windows <8GB VRAM: negative. Players report major memory leaks and poor optimization, making the game difficult to enjoy.

Windows 12-15GB VRAM: negative. Players experience frequent crashes and express dissatisfaction with the lack of support for higher frame rates.

Monetization: The user reviews indicate significant dissatisfaction with the 'Definitive Edition' of the game, with many users perceiving it as a 'cash grab' due to the lack of substantial new content and high price. There are also concerns about customer support, including issues with refunds and censorship of criticism. Additionally, users criticize the developer's practices, such as delaying updates and locking them behind paywalls, as well as abandoning previous games. These issues collectively contribute to a negative perception of the game's value and the developer's integrity.

Educational video requests: Players are requesting educational videos, possibly tutorials or guides related to the game.

External video references: There are references to external videos discussing problems or aspects of the game.