RTS is a genre that has been popular since the 1980s and continues to captivate players. Among the most popular legends of classic RTS are the Warcraft and Age of Empires series, particularly their unforgettable installments: Warcraft 3 and Age of Empires 2.
Although these games have different settings and represent entirely different franchises, they are often compared. Would you like to learn more about them? Understand why players fondly remember them? Or perhaps you’re wondering which one to play? Join us for a brief comparison!
The History of Both Franchises
Let’s start with a bit of history and an outline of both franchises, as they are the first key differences between the two games. The Warcraft series is a bit older than Age of Empires, but it is AOE2 that is older than Warcraft 3!
The first installment of the series, Warcraft: Orcs & Humans, was released in 1994, and although it was a rather simple and mechanically limited game, it quickly attracted players and received a sequel just a year later. However, it was the third part — Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos, released in 2002 — that became a true masterpiece, followed by an expansion called The Frozen Throne.
The games in this series have been created and published by Blizzard Entertainment since the very beginning, and to this day, the franchise continues.
Age of Empires as a franchise is a bit younger. The first installment was released in 1997, and just 12 months later, it received a DLC. In 1999, the legendary Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings premiered on PC, a title that remains highly regarded and appreciated to this day. Moreover, it has received… 10 expansions!
The franchise was created by Ensemble Studios, which produced most of the games until 2018. Like Warcraft, AOE is still being released today, though since 2019, World’s Edge, Forgotten Empires, and several other developers have taken over production.
The World Setting
Warcraft 3 (just like its previous installments) is set in a high-fantasy world filled with magic and strange creatures — Azeroth. In W3, we encounter not only humans but also Orcs and other fantastic beings, creating a complex and mysterious world.
In Age of Empires 2, we come back to “real-world” history. The game is set during a thousand-year period starting around the 5th century AD, divided into four “Ages.” Here, we play as humans, but we can choose different civilizations from that era, such as the Franks, Byzantines, and Mongols.
Gameplay Mechanics
Although both games are classics of the RTS genre, they differ in their gameplay mechanics.
The first and most important distinguishing feature of Warcraft 3 is its subtle blend of real-time strategy mechanics with RPG elements (especially in the main campaign). While the gameplay focuses on building a player base, gathering resources, and assembling an army to face enemies (either AI-controlled or in multiplayer), the characters we control can level up, acquire skills, find artefacts, and carry items.
In Warcraft 3, we can pick one of four factions — Humans, Orcs, Night Elves, or Undead — and each of them is deeply embedded in the lore. Of course, the first two are the most significant, as they were central to the earlier installments of the game.
Age of Empires 2, on the other hand, takes a more general and comprehensive approach. The game’s action is divided into four periods: the Dark Age, the Feudal Age, the Castle Age (representing the High Middle Ages), and the Imperial Age (reminiscent of the Renaissance), through which the society that we control evolves.
An important aspect of the game is both building military power and developing cities, advancing to new stages of civilization, and constructing so-called Wonders — special buildings that bring benefits to the chosen race. In the base game, there are 13 factions to choose from, and expansions have increased this number to 45!
Reception
Both games are highly praised by players. Both have a rating of 92/100 on Metacritic and similar reviews, usually hovering around 90% positive on other platforms.
In Warcraft 3, the cinematic storytelling is appreciated for adding depth to the game’s narrative. Gamers also praise the interesting lore, and the pleasant blend of strategy and RPG mechanics. Players also highlight the excellent (for its time) graphics and praise Blizzard’s successful transition to 3D. The atmospheric music and voiceover are also highly regarded.
Age of Empires 2 is praised for having “the list of new features and improvements over the original game [that] is over a page long”. Its complex management mechanics, captivating representation of the medieval world, and good graphics (despite 25 years after premiere) are also highly appreciated.
Which One to Choose?
Well, in this case, it’s difficult to pick a clear favorite. Both games differ in terms of graphics, gameplay, atmosphere, and setting.
If you prefer magic-filled fantasy worlds, Warcraft 3 is the way to go. However, if you’re more interested in the history of medieval civilizations, Age of Empires 2 will be a better choice. If you enjoy games that seamlessly mix elements from different genres and offer deep lore and an interesting cinematic story, W3 is the game for you. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a typical RTS with in-depth management mechanics, the second game on this list will be a perfect pick!
Sources:
- https://www.metacritic.com/game/warcraft-iii-reign-of-chaos/
- https://www.metacritic.com/game/age-of-empires-ii-the-age-of-kings/