Age of Empires II on PS5: Brilliant Strategy or Incomplete Experience?

If you’ve never played Age of Empires II before, know that you’re about to dive into one of the most enjoyable classic strategy games that helped shape the history of gaming on PC. But this time, the experience is now available on PlayStation 5.

When I heard that Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition was officially coming to PS5, I had mixed feelings—both excitement and worry. This game is one of the most important strategy games that left a mark on me, but it’s also a title that heavily relies on mouse and keyboard controls. I was genuinely curious to see if it could succeed on console, or if it would turn out to be a half-baked attempt. Let’s find out together.

The Story

From the very beginning, the game puts you in a different mood. Although it’s a classic, its presentation on console is done with care. One thing that impressed me early on was how welcoming it was. Whether you’re a new player or a returning veteran like me, the game eases you in with strong, well-paced historical campaigns that teach you the basics while pulling you into its stories.

The first campaign I played was from the expansion *The Three Kingdoms*, and it’s not just extra content—it’s a full-blown story set in ancient China. It felt like reading a historical novel where you control the fate of its characters. Each of the three main factions—Shu, Wei, and Wu—has its own flavor, and every mission includes decisions that affect the next, making the experience surprisingly interactive.

The writing and dialogues with historical figures were well crafted, and the way battles were dramatized made me feel like I was truly living through them.

The Content

When I launched the game, I wasn’t expecting it to come loaded with all the expansions from the get-go. It doesn’t just include *The Three Kingdoms* expansion—it features all the previous expansions released on PC over the years, making its content much richer than what you’d expect from any strategy game on console.

Each expansion introduces new civilizations, missions, and campaigns. I tried playing as various factions like Armenians, Indians, and Burgundians. When I shifted to the Three Kingdoms civilizations like Shu and Wei, the gameplay style completely changed.

Every civilization has its own identity—building design, attack/defense tactics, even unique background music. A new system called the Hall of Heroes lets you develop your generals and give them special abilities, adding a fun strategic layer, especially in single-player campaigns.

I’m not exaggerating when I say there’s over 300 hours of gameplay here. Between campaigns, scenarios, skirmishes, and online matches, each mode opens a new door.

Gameplay

My biggest concern was the controls. The game was originally built for mouse and keyboard, so I expected the PS5 version to struggle with smooth control. But it turned out the opposite. The redesigned interface for controllers was genius. Everything was clear and easy to access. I used radial command wheels to select build orders, unit actions, and battle commands without ever feeling lost or overwhelmed.

Using the DualSense controller was surprisingly comfortable. The adaptive vibrations gave a tactile feeling for each action—like chopping wood or launching a catapult—which made the experience more immersive. The adaptive triggers added weight to important commands like demolishing a building or leading an army charge—you could feel it in your hands.

Performance on the PS5 was excellent. I entered massive battles with hundreds of units, sea combat, and towers burning, all running at a solid 60 FPS. I could zoom in and out quickly and switch between villages instantly. It truly felt like commanding a real empire.

The AI has also improved. Enemies now plan intelligently, attack from multiple directions, and use their units strategically, making fights against the computer a real challenge.

But not everything was perfect. I did encounter two or three sudden crashes, and once a unit got stuck on the map and wouldn’t move. However, these issues were rare, and the developers have already stated on their official website that they’re working on fixing all known bugs.

Graphics

The game has always been one of the best-looking strategy games, and this edition takes it to a new visual level. The first time I loaded a map with a big river, mountains, and small villages, I kept spinning the camera in awe at the building details, forest fog, and sunlight reflections on the water.

Units themselves are more detailed. You can now tell them apart not just by color but by their armor and weapons. Watching your army cross a bridge, with shields shining in the sun, feels like you’re filming a historical movie—not just playing a game.

Final Score

8.5/10

Age of Empires II on PS5 genuinely surprised me. The game kept its classic spirit while offering a very respectful and enjoyable experience on console—in terms of story, gameplay, and visuals. The new expansion added depth, and the controls were easier than expected. If you’re a fan of strategy games, this is an experience you shouldn’t miss.