Age of Empires: Definitive Edition is the refined iteration of the original Age of Empires. The game delivers the same strategic gameplay in a historic setting. With this remaster, the developers have not only introduced considerably enhanced visuals but have also added multiple quality of life improvements. The remaster also comes with The Rise of Rome expansion, which includes four new playable civilizations.
The game sets players on a task to evolve a small group of hunter-gatherers into a vast and mighty Empire. This is done through gathering and managing resources in a dangerous environment where opposing civilizations might attack at any moment. Players start out cutting off trees and collecting fruits to advance civilization. Every new age brings new kinds of buildings and units, alongside more challenging resource needs.
The twelve distinct civilizations that players can choose from give the game strategic depth. They all carry unique sets of perks, technologies, and units. Thus, each civilization has its advantages and disadvantages.
In addition to the new civilizations, the Definitive Edition has more extras. There are now features like achievements, improved pathfinding, and an increased population limit. Those who want to immerse in the 1997 version of the game can also play the Classic Mode, where the original, authentic experience of Age of Empires still rings true.
Using Cheat Codes
The developers of Age of Empires: Definitive Edition at Forgotten Empires and Tantalus Media have fortunately stayed true to the original in terms of cheat codes. The game was born in the 1990s when cheat codes in-game were to rule, not the exception like with modern games. Thankfully, the same goes for the new and improved Definitive Edition, which allows cheat codes.
Entering the codes is as simple as it always was in Age of Empires. The players can simply press Enter, or press the Chat icon which is accessible on the top right side of the screen alongside other UI buttons, to open the Chat window. After this, the player only needs to enter the preferred cheat code, and the cheat is applied to the game.
It is noteworthy, though, that some cheats require certain prerequisites to work. For example, many of the unit creation cheats require the Town Center. The two cheat codes that create priests also require a Temple to be built before using.
Cheat Codes
Here are all the available cheat codes that we are aware of and have been confirmed work by us in Age of Empires: Definitive Edition:
- BIG BERTHA: Turns all Stone Thrower and Catapult units into a more powerful version, called the Big Bertha.
- BIGDADDY: A car unit called Winsett’s Z. It is super-fast and has a strong attack. Requires a Town Center to use.
- BIG MOMMA: Same Winsett’s Z, except white instead of black. Requires Town Center to use.
- BLACK RIDER: Turns every cavalry archer unit into a unit called Black Rider. However, this doesn’t affect the stats.
- COINAGE: Immediately adds 1000 gold to the stockpile.
- CONVERT THIS! – Spawns a Saint Francis unit. This units has range of 10 and attack power of 200 with the lightning spells it uses. Upgrades at Temple affect this unit too, however the cheat HOYOHOYO doesn’t. Requires a Temple to use.
- E=MC2 TROOPER: Spawns a unit called Nuke Trooper. The unit looks exactly like Laser Trooper but has a super powerful weapon 88 range and 300 attack. Requires Town Center to use.
- FLYING DUTCHMAN: Turns all Catapult Trireme and Juggernaut units into Flying Dutchmen. The units can now move on land and it has 200 hit points and attack power of 40.
- DARK RAIN: Turns all your Bowmen units (current and upcoming) into Stealth Bowmen. Stealth Bowman turn into trees when they’re not moving. They have range 7 and attack 10, and they can walk on water.
- DIEDIEDIE: Instantly destroys all other civilizations and wins you the game.
- GAIA: Gives you control over animals and you lose control of your civilization. However, fish and birds (or dragons) cannot be controlled, only animals that are not in constant motion, like tigers, elephants, and other land animals.
- GRANTLINKSPENCE: Turn all animals into Alpha versions of themselves.
- HOME RUN: Wins you the game instantly. Effectively the same as DIEDIEDIE.
- HOYOHOYO – Priests get massive speed increase and 600 hit points. This is also further affected by technological research. Requires a Temple to use.
- HARI KARI: Not only loses you the game but destroys all your units and buildings.
- ICBM: Change the range of Ballista and Helepolis units to 100. This doesn’t change their Line of Sight, and thus doesn’t help attacking units that are beyond the range of visibility.
- JACK BE NIMBLE: All Catapult units now throw either villagers or cows. Changing the direction of firing, the animation changes. In one direction the villager is in a Superman pose, in another the villager is replaced by a cow.
- KILLX: Kills player X, where X is the player number. The order of players can be seen on the Diplomacy window. Note that one can kill themselves and lose the game with this cheat.
- KING ARTHUR: All birds turn into large dragons that are much larger and move much faster.
- MEDUSA: All Villagers, both current and upcoming, turn into units called Medusa. One exception is a unit that is selected while applying the cheat code. They can now survive death twice, first turning into Black Riders and then into Heavy Catapults. Third time they die for good. Medusa cannot gather resources, and thus cannot attack animals even though they have attack power of 3, one less than Villager turned Hunter. Requires Town Center to use.
- NO FOG: Removes the fog of war and reveals the position of all units. Doesn’t reveal the map further than already explored.
- PEPPERONI PIZZA: Immediately adds 1000 food to the stockpile.
- PHOTON MAN: Spawns a unit called Laser Trooper wearing a spacesuit and wielding a rifle. Has 100 hit points, attack power of 15, armor of 10, and range of 15. Requires a Town Center to use.
- POW: Spawns a unit called BabyPrez. It’s a baby riding a fast tricycle armed with a long range “daddy’s shotgun.” Has 500 hit points, attack power of 50, armor of 10, and range of 15. Requires Town Center to use.
- QUARRY: Immediately adds 1000 stone to the stockpile.
- RESIGN: Immediately lose the game.
- REVEAL MAP: Reveals the entire map, including ruins, animals, resources, and enemy units and buildings.
- STEROIDS: All players, including computers, can now make units, build buildings, gather resources, and add upgrades instantly. Doesn’t remove the cost of building.
- STORMBILLY: Spawns a unit called Zug 209. This is a robot that has long range lasers. Has 100 hit points, 20 attack power, 10 armor, and 15 range. Requires Town Center to use.
- UPSIDFLINTMOBILE: Upgrades the attack speed and movement speed of Chariot Archers massively.
- WOODSTOCK: Immediately adds 1000 wood to the stockpile.
FAQ
What does the Definitive Edition have besides the game?
Age of Empires: Definitive Edition is a remastered version of the original game. It features support for higher resolution (up to 4K) and better gameplay mechanics. It also comes with an expansion that adds four new civilizations and much more.
How much does Age of Empires: Definitive Edition cost?
The regular price for Age of Empires: Definitive Edition is $19.99. However, one should keep an eye on discounts that might bring the price down even further.
How to win in Age of Empires?
There are three ways to win in Age of Empires, and this is true of the Definite Edition, too. First, and perhaps most common, way is to destroy all enemies. Note that this requires erasing all buildings and units. The second one is to build a Wonder and hold it for 2000 in-game years. Similarly, the third way to win a game is to hold all ruins or artifacts on a map for 2000 in-game years.