Yesterday marked the two-year anniversary of Age of Empires 1 being partially ported into Age of Empires 2: Definitive Edition. Reflecting on this milestone, I couldn’t help but think about what was left behind—such as the six original campaigns that were expected to be integrated into the DLC and the various animals available in other game modes but absent in Return of Rome (wild camels, chickens, argali, mouflon, llamas, snow leopards, etc.).
While the game mode introduced three new campaigns, some units, changes, and technologies, there is still room for improvement and are spaces to fill. Don’t get me wrong—I’m grateful that Return of Rome was brought to the AOE2 DE engine, but there’s so much untapped potential. With more updates and fresh content, it could be something truly extraordinary!
Earlier today, I found myself thinking about the Indus Valley civilization and wondered, why not create an official expansion or addition to Return of Rome centered around that part of the world? Learning about Harappa and Mohenjo Daro left me fascinated—their culture, or at least what little is known, is shrouded in mystery. It reminded me of how I first felt when I discovered the ancient Egyptians—intrigued and eager to uncover more.
For inspiration:
What about new official scenarios for custom AI matches and multiplayer? What about fresh units, new building sets, new mechanics, unit and building upgrades? And beyond that—what about the rest of the world? Beyond the remaining classic campaigns, what other historical stories could be brought to life, beyond just the Indus civilization? How many civilizations would feel right for Return of Rome? What does the future hold for this game mode?
I truly believe there are countless ways to expand and refine Return of Rome—ways that would benefit both the developers and the community. A steady stream of new content could keep the game thriving, ensuring that both its creators and players feel satisfied with what they gain.
Above all, I want Return of Rome to reach its full potential! If major DLCs aren’t in the pipeline, I would still welcome smaller updates and content additions alongside patches for the main game. However, I must emphasize—it would be far more impactful if these updates were substantial and meaningful, rather than just minor adjustments like those we’ve seen since 2023.