Our guide for the ages will focus on the standard game type, generally called Random Map skirmishes that can be waged, as mentioned, against AI or human opponents. These rules differ depending on the game type you're playing. Villagers handle all your resource gathering and building construction, while military units take care of any threats. You're tasked with taking all that and building the most powerful force on the map.

In most cases (save nomad games), you begin with a few villagers, a scout, some herdable animals, and some banked resources.

In skirmish matches against AI or real players, Age of Empires 2: Definitive Edition puts you in control of a civilization.