The original game, released in 2002, which I've been playing since I was 6yrs old, has better gameplay mechanics and graphics than this new version. The devs threw off the balance by adding healers to every culture, rather than having it culture and god specific.

The Chinese are overpowered, defy the original artstyle by using poor textures, and reuse the sound design of other cultures, making them sound like Atlanteans. The game does not allow you to play it without purchasing the Tale of the Dragon DLC, or turning off this DLC.

This is because the Norse have an ability that automatically spawns random units from the game, and the Chinese are now included on this list. If you do not own the Chinese, and a Chinese unit is spawned by this ability, the game displays a message informing you that you do not own the DLC you are trying to use, then boots you from the game.

This means that if you want to play the base game - without the debalance changes they made with the Chinese, and the stupid healers, then you are restricted only to the Atlanteans, Greeks, and Egyptians.

The pop cap was not increased, unlike the other extended editions of games as well, and the textures are a lower resolution. The new night/day cycle also screws with basegame mechanics, as the egyptians get combat bonuses during the night, as according to their abilities. Normally night only activates upon the use of a God Power, but now it is in a cycle.

Finally, the netcode is absolute garbage, good luck playing this online or with your friends. Seriously, you would be lucky to get 20 minutes without a desync.

I hope they release a Definitive Edition of this game, like they did with Age of Empires 2, and Age of Empires 3, which stays true to the original, without destroying what made it great.

The original game, released in 2002, which I've been playing since I was 6yrs old, has better gameplay mechanics and graphics than this new version. The devs threw off the balance by adding healers to every culture, rather than having it culture and god specific. The Chinese are overpowered, defy the original artstyle by using poor textures, and reuse the sound design of other cultures, making them sound like Atlanteans. The game does not allow you to play it without purchasing the Tale of the Dragon DLC, or turning off this DLC. This is because the Norse have an ability that automatically spawns random units from the game, and the Chinese are now included on this list. If you do not own the Chinese, and a Chinese unit is spawned by this ability, the game displays a message informing you that you do not own the DLC you are trying to use, then boots you from the game. This means that if you want to play the base game - without the debalance changes they made with the Chinese, and the stupid healers, then you are restricted only to the Atlanteans, Greeks, and Egyptians. The pop cap was not increased, unlike the other extended editions of games as well, and the textures are a lower resolution. The new night/day cycle also screws with basegame mechanics, as the egyptians get combat bonuses during the night, as according to their abilities. Normally night only activates upon the use of a God Power, but now it is in a cycle. Finally, the netcode is absolute garbage, good luck playing this online or with your friends. Seriously, you would be lucky to get 20 minutes without a desync. I hope they release a Definitive Edition of this game, like they did with Age of Empires 2, and Age of Empires 3, which stays true to the original, without destroying what made it great.