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When it comes to real-time strategy games (RTS), most gamers immediately think of a PC with a mouse and keyboard. And that’s understandable: managing units, building bases, developing economies — all of it demands precision and speed that a gamepad rarely provides. But times are changing. Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition has made its way to the PlayStation 5, and surprisingly, the game feels remarkably confident even outside its traditional environment.
The Return of a Legend
Let’s start with a bit of history. Age of Empires II is a legendary strategy game from the late ’90s, one of the most iconic titles in the genre. You build a village, gather resources, create an army, and defeat enemies as you progress through four historical ages. In 2019, the game got a remastered version — the Definitive Edition — with improved graphics, a new interface, additional campaigns, and rebalanced gameplay.
It remains popular on PC to this day. There are still tournaments, mods, and an active community. Now, the developers have taken things further by bringing the game to Xbox and PlayStation — including the PS5.
Controls: The Biggest Challenge
The biggest question when bringing RTS to consoles is: how will the controls work?
Let’s be honest — this genre isn’t a natural fit for gamepads. But the developers approached the challenge wisely. On PS5, there’s a context menu system where buttons adapt to the selected unit. For example, when selecting a villager, a list of available actions appears: build a house, gather resources, and so on. The camera is controlled with the analog sticks, and the face buttons (X, Square, Triangle) offer quick access to commands.
Of course, it’s not as lightning-fast or precise as a mouse. But with features like auto-targeting, quick group selection, and a well-thought-out UI, gameplay is still comfortable and accessible. Yes, it takes some getting used to — especially for those who’ve spent hundreds of hours on the PC version — but newcomers should feel quite at home.
Graphics and Performance
The game looks solid on PS5. It’s the same familiar visual style, now in high resolution with smoother animations. The image is crisp, textures are clean, and there are no jagged edges or blurry areas. It’s especially satisfying to watch your village come to life — villagers bustling about, animals grazing, buildings rising — everything feels dynamic and alive.
Framerate remains stable even during large battles, with no noticeable drops. Sound is also impressive: the epic music, battle effects, and unit voice lines are all true to the series’ legacy. On the PS5, it all sounds even more immersive when using quality speakers or headphones.
Content and Gameplay
The Definitive Edition includes not just the base game but a wealth of expansions. There are over 30 civilizations, each with unique units and bonuses. There’s no shortage of campaigns either — from the conquests of William the Conqueror to the feats of Joan of Arc. Survival missions and historical battles are also available.
It’s great to see all of this content preserved in the console version. The campaigns are fully translated and voiced, progress is saved automatically, and missions can be rewound or replayed. Multiplayer is available too — you can play online, find allies or opponents in ranked matches. There’s also cross-platform play between Xbox and PlayStation, though it doesn’t yet support PC.
Who Is This Version For?
If you’re a die-hard RTS veteran who believes true strategy requires a mouse, this version might not be for you. But if you want to enjoy a classic game from the comfort of your couch, gamepad in hand, and on a big screen — this is a great way to relive old memories or discover the game for the first time.
It’s especially well-suited for players who used to enjoy Age of Empires on PC but have since moved to consoles, or for those curious to try something new but wary of a steep learning curve. Here, that curve is notably softened — thanks to tutorial missions and a user-friendly interface.
Conclusion
Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition on PS5 is a great example of how even a hardcore PC strategy game can feel right at home on a console. Yes, the genre is still tricky without a mouse, but this adaptation respects the original while also being welcoming to newcomers. The game runs smoothly, looks great, and offers rich content with plenty of historical depth.
This isn’t just a port — it’s a console-tailored version of a classic that can easily provide dozens of hours of fun. Sure, you might miss the speed and precision of a mouse at times, but overall, the experience is a positive one.
If you enjoy strategy games and want something smart and deep to play on PS5 — Age of Empires II is definitely worth a shot.