Once again aoe2 devs were heavily “inspired” by aoe3 mechanics 
For the love of aoe2, pls continue the development of aoe3!
… by this pace aoe2 will run out of “inspiration” in ca. 1 year (~3 DLCs)
13 Likes
Yep it seems the cow is running out of milk 
3 Likes
I think the franchise in its current state has run its course.
Even the new AoE4 DLC is a complete disaster. I know people are pissed about AoE3 being abandoned, but if we look a look at the franchise as a whole, we can see it is losing steam across the board.
One of the existing 3 games (2, 4, R) will probably get axed at the end of the year.
3 Likes
That’s what happens when greed becomes the driving force.
18 Likes
Maybe the cancellation of aoe3 wasn’t that bad in the end.
1 Like
Just to be clear:
I think the aoe2 DLC looks good and is the right thing to do… Im just not excited at all; all “new” mechanics, i’ve already seen (better implemented) in 3
and aoe2 is doing nothing to push the franchise forward.
Aoe3 and AoM are the only titles that tried smth new and 2&4 are spoonfeeding those innovations to their conservative audience
5 Likes
You’ve read my mind. The first thing that came to my mind after the announcement is that maybe it’s time to stop with these abominations and let the franchise end in a good state.
3 Likes
The cancellation of the AOE3 DLC is not a choice but a consequence.
Imagine how much excitement there would be if they announced a big DLC for 3DE. People would go bonkers. It would be a great thing for the Age franchise altogether.
2 Likes
I dont think you want an AoE3 DLC right now xD
1 Like
Well it takes time to make one.
It may actually have been Denmark and Poland, plus three surprise civs of Oda, Takeda and Uesugi (Japan reskins with a unique hero) —— FIVE CIVS!!! Yes you are reading it right. FIVE CIVS!!!
Edit: sorry those also fit in the AOE3 timeline.
So it should be Templars, Teutonic Order, and Hospitallers (yes I know Malta is already there, but China is also already in AOE2)
7 Likes
Aoe2 has been recycling content since it was released, that’s the formula that works for it.
Aoe4 is in a strange spot and is having an identity crisis. I wouldn’t be surprised if it gets axed next.
1 Like
you forgot the Romans as bonus sixth civ for pre-order
Pd. and even they would be less anachronistic 
So, the so-called “Five Great Civilizations” now include… Wei, Shu, and Wu?
Did I boot up the wrong game? I thought Age of Empires II was supposed to be set in the Middle Ages.
With my modest grasp of history, the Three Kingdoms period happened in the 3rd century AD, and lasted—what—like 60 years?
That’s the time when the Roman Empire was still into polytheism, and hadn’t even split in two yet.
What’s even more baffling is how they’ve abandoned AoE2’s traditional approach to civilizations.
Historically, civilizations in AoE2 were grouped by ethnic or cultural identity—Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese. Makes sense, right?
Now suddenly we get three factions from one country’s short-lived civil war, and they’re treated like separate, fully-ranked civilizations.
What’s next? “Zhao Yun faction” vs “Ma Chao faction”? “Red Cliffs Championship”?
This is starting to feel like Dynasty Warriors: Ranked Edition.
As someone with OCD tendencies, this feels like psychological warfare.
It’s like ordering fine French cuisine and being served instant noodles with a “Michelin star” sticker slapped on the bowl.
But hey, I shouldn’t be surprised. The AoE3 community already got kicked around—and yes, my own Twitter got blocked by the official AoE account—so I’ve learned not to expect much.
No, I won’t be buying this DLC unless I take a siege ram to the head.
And speaking of expectations—this is supposed to be a China-themed DLC, right?
So, guess which civ got the new generic units: the Rocket Cart and the Lihua spearman?
That’s right—Koreans.
Somehow, Korea walked out of this DLC as the biggest winner.
Look, I know—technically—the rocket cart was developed in China and spread to Korea. That’s fine.
But the Li Hua spear? Did Koreans actually use that? I honestly don’t know. It just feels… weird.
Like, what is the theme of this DLC exactly?
Oh right: Three Kingdoms.
Cool. If the 3rd century Three Kingdoms period can be shoehorned into a medieval RTS, then really—what’s off limits now?
Why stop there? Let’s go for the “Xia, Shang, Zhou Trilogy,” or “Spring & Autumn Multiplayer Mayhem.”
At this point, Age of Empires isn’t about “Empires” or “Ages”—it’s just Age of Whatever Sounds Cool This Week.
And let’s talk immersion—or the complete destruction of it.
AoE2 uses mostly European-style models for generic units. I’m one step away from putting a Crusader helmet on Zhao Yun and calling it a day.
Honestly, I’d rather they added Qiang, Di, or Xianbei—real ethnic groups with distinct cultures—than three breakaway warlord states from one country’s internal civil war.
If the next DLC gives us “Jin, Yan, and Zhao Kingdoms,” I’m uninstalling and becoming a farmer.
7 Likes
Next DLC will feature the gods and you’ll be able to create the Japanese Islands as Izanagi, lol.
The writing’s on the wall now, they will destroy the whole series since they put complete blockheads in charge.
7 Likes
I remember someone suggested adding Yamato to AOE2 as a representation of early medieval Japan.
It was massively refuted.
Not anymore.
(And the Yamato period lasted until 700s so it fits into AOE2)
5 Likes
There is going to be a lot of " we warned you guys" emanating from AoE3 players in the coming years. It has already started.
We’re now just innocent bystanders witnessing the schadenfreude brought on by WE.
9 Likes
“They killed AOE3 to concentrate on our games”
13 Likes
Yes, after seeing how bad the new DLCs for 2 and 4 are, maybe we should be glad that WE is no longer making new DLC for 3
5 Likes