Choose Earth 2160
Choose Earth 2160 if it's currently about 71% cheaper on the Steam Store. Earth 2160 launched in 2006.
Earth 2160 vs Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition
Earth 2160 and Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition both land in Strategy on Steam, which is why they keep getting compared. The comparison below is built from each game's Steam metadata — release year, genres, categories, Steam Deck status, price, and review score — refreshed daily by imho.run's scraper. Headline differences: Both are Strategy games on Steam. Earth 2160 (2006) is 13 years older than Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition (2019). Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition scores higher on Steam reviews (95.1% positive) than Earth 2160 (59.9% positive). No login or purchase needed — scroll for the full table, the verdict FAQ, and links to ranked similar games for both titles.
Which should you pick?
Choose Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition
Choose Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition if you want the Online PvP, Online Co-op, and LAN PvP side of the pairing. On Steam, it carries the stronger Steam consensus at 95.1% positive across 60,009 reviews.
Both Earth 2160 and Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition sit in Strategy on Steam and both list Multi-player and Co-op, so either pick lands in the same broad neighborhood. Use the side-by-side table for the feature view, or follow the "Games like" links below to see ranked alternatives for either title.
Side-by-side comparison
 Earth 2160 |  Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition | |
|---|---|---|
| Released | 2006 | 2019 |
| Genres | Strategy | Strategy |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux | Windows, macOS |
| Steam Deck | Deck Playable | Deck Playable |
| Price | 9.99 USD | 34.99 USD |
| Steam reviews | 59.9% positive (327 reviews) | 95.1% positive (60,009 reviews) |
| Multiplayer | Multi-player, Cross-Platform Multiplayer, Co-op | Multi-player, Cross-Platform Multiplayer, Online Co-op |
| Developers | Reality Pump Studios | World's Edge, Forgotten Empires, CaptureAge, Tantalus Media, Wicked Witch, Feral Interactive |
Side by side
- Both are Strategy games on Steam.
- Earth 2160 (2006) is 13 years older than Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition (2019).
- Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition scores higher on Steam reviews (95.1% positive) than Earth 2160 (59.9% positive).
- Earth 2160 is currently ~71% cheaper on Steam than Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition (9.99 USD vs. 34.99 USD).
- Both support cooperative play.
- Both are Deck Playable.
Earth 2160 vs Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition — FAQ
- Which is better, Earth 2160 or Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition?
- On Steam reviews Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition scores higher (95.1% positive) than Earth 2160 (59.9% positive). Both have enough reviews to trust the signal, so for players using reviews alone, Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition is the safer pick. Genre fit still matters — check the side-by-side table for the categories each game lands in.
- Should I play Earth 2160 or Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition first?
- If you want chronology, Earth 2160 (2006) came out before Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition (2019). If neither is a sequel to the other, order doesn't really matter — start with whichever fits your current mood, since both share enough on Steam to make either a reasonable opener.
- Are Earth 2160 and Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition similar?
- They overlap on Strategy on Steam, so the catalogue groups them together — but "similar" depends on the specific mechanics. Use the genre + category rows above to decide whether the overlap matches what drew you to the one you've already played.
- Do both Earth 2160 and Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition have co-op?
- Yes — both list a co-op category on Steam. Specifics differ: Earth 2160 ships Co-op; Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition ships Online Co-op, LAN Co-op.