# Dear AoE2 fans, It's time to give AoE3DE a chance **URL:** \ **Category:** II - Discussion\ **Created:** [September 10, 2026, 7:31pm UTC](https://forums.ageofempires.com/t/dear-aoe2-fans-its-time-to-give-aoe3de-a-chance/289437 "2026-09-10T19:31:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Tomfire123](https://forums.ageofempires.com/user_avatar/forums.ageofempires.com/tomfire123/32/114978_2.png) [@Tomfire123](https://forums.ageofempires.com/u/Tomfire123)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2026, 7:31pm UTC](https://forums.ageofempires.com/t/dear-aoe2-fans-its-time-to-give-aoe3de-a-chance/289437/1 "2026-09-10T19:31:58Z")
Hello, AoE2 fans! I know many people don’t like AoE3 because of the cards. But they finally added a new mode called “Independence.” > Independence: Abandon the safety net of your Home City in Independence Mode and prove that you can win games purely through strategy and real skill. Rediscover your favorite civilizations in a new way with adjusted civilization bonuses. Unfortunately, I know it needs to buy this DLC. I wish it were free, but maybe give it a chance. Play it, and then tell me what you think. I’m just curious. I hope you all have a nice day! I’m going to try out this new mode soon. ^^ See you! ---
**Author:** ![AdmiralShoe961](https://forums.ageofempires.com/user_avatar/forums.ageofempires.com/admiralshoe961/32/78228_2.png) [@AdmiralShoe961](https://forums.ageofempires.com/u/AdmiralShoe961)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2026, 8:52pm UTC](https://forums.ageofempires.com/t/dear-aoe2-fans-its-time-to-give-aoe3de-a-chance/289437/2 "2026-09-10T20:52:36Z")
The reason I don’t play AOE3 is because the micro feels bad in the engine. AOE4 has the same problem, but with better building placement and worse win conditions. ---
**Author:** ![cs-mark](https://forums.ageofempires.com/user_avatar/forums.ageofempires.com/cs-mark/32/213671_2.png) [@cs-mark](https://forums.ageofempires.com/u/cs-mark)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2026, 11:40pm UTC](https://forums.ageofempires.com/t/dear-aoe2-fans-its-time-to-give-aoe3de-a-chance/289437/3 "2026-09-10T23:40:51Z")
It’s had a lot of updates today you should give it ago ---
**Author:** ![AdmiralShoe961](https://forums.ageofempires.com/user_avatar/forums.ageofempires.com/admiralshoe961/32/78228_2.png) [@AdmiralShoe961](https://forums.ageofempires.com/u/AdmiralShoe961)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2026, 11:47pm UTC](https://forums.ageofempires.com/t/dear-aoe2-fans-its-time-to-give-aoe3de-a-chance/289437/4 "2026-09-10T23:47:25Z")
I can. Is the unit movement and building placement still bad? ---
**Author:** ![cs-mark](https://forums.ageofempires.com/user_avatar/forums.ageofempires.com/cs-mark/32/213671_2.png) [@cs-mark](https://forums.ageofempires.com/u/cs-mark)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2026, 6:17am UTC](https://forums.ageofempires.com/t/dear-aoe2-fans-its-time-to-give-aoe3de-a-chance/289437/5 "2026-09-11T06:17:10Z")
The ai has had a lot of changes to its logic and the campaigns have become harder ---
**Author:** ![Darkness01101](https://forums.ageofempires.com/user_avatar/forums.ageofempires.com/darkness01101/32/214966_2.png) [@Darkness01101](https://forums.ageofempires.com/u/Darkness01101)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2026, 3:15am UTC](https://forums.ageofempires.com/t/dear-aoe2-fans-its-time-to-give-aoe3de-a-chance/289437/6 "2026-09-12T03:15:08Z")
That’s a step in a good direction. I’m sorry to say, though, I’d need a ton of other changes and enhancements to sway me, which will never happen, related to: audio, build limits and limitations, map size (unless they fixed this, which I think they did in DE years ago), animations, and such The game’s just not for me. AoE2 perspectives and other changes that would disrupt the precious AoE3 game balance are not welcome in the AoE3 world, as well, so I will stay in my AoE2 safe space 🦺 That’s okay. We all like different things I’m glad they brought it back to life for you. I remember a lot of heartache in the AoE3 community when it got decommissioned before. Thanks for info on the update and trying to show players like me the light! ---
**Author:** ![MatM1996](https://forums.ageofempires.com/user_avatar/forums.ageofempires.com/matm1996/32/29566_2.png) [@MatM1996](https://forums.ageofempires.com/u/MatM1996)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2026, 11:28am UTC](https://forums.ageofempires.com/t/dear-aoe2-fans-its-time-to-give-aoe3de-a-chance/289437/7 "2026-09-12T11:28:11Z")
> [@Darkness01101](#): > > That’s a step in a good direction. I’m sorry to say, though, I’d need a ton of other changes and enhancements to sway me, which will never happen, related to: audio, build limits and limitations, map size (unless they fixed this, which I think they did in DE years ago), animations, and such Yes, map size adjusts based on the number of players, and if not, you have XL maps, and if you don’t like the close-up camera, you have ultrazoom… but yes, the idea is that the independence mode will eventually resemble an AoE 2/4-like mode within AoE 3…