Choose Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition
Choose Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition if you want a Strategy game with Online PvP, LAN PvP, and LAN Co-op. 60,009 Steam reviews back the pick.
Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition vs Gem Rifts
Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition and Gem Rifts sit side-by-side in player discussions even though their catalogue tags only partly overlap. 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: Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition (2019) is 3 years older than Gem Rifts (2022). Gem Rifts scores higher on Steam reviews (100% positive) than Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition (95.1% positive). Gem Rifts is currently ~71% cheaper on Steam than Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition (9.99 USD vs. 34.99 USD). 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 Gem Rifts
Choose Gem Rifts if you want an Indie and Early Access experience. On Steam, it's currently about 71% cheaper on the Steam Store. Gem Rifts launched in 2022.
Both Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition and Gem Rifts ship Multi-player, Online Co-op, and Co-op on Steam, so either pick lands close enough that the choice is taste, not category. 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
 Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition |  Gem Rifts | |
|---|---|---|
| Released | 2019 | 2022 |
| Genres | Strategy | Indie, Early Access |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS | Windows |
| Steam Deck | Deck Playable | Unrated |
| Price | 34.99 USD | 9.99 USD |
| Steam reviews | 95.1% positive (60,009 reviews) | 100% positive (10 reviews) |
| Multiplayer | Multi-player, Cross-Platform Multiplayer, Online Co-op | Multi-player, Online Co-op, Co-op |
| Developers | World's Edge, Forgotten Empires, CaptureAge, Tantalus Media, Wicked Witch, Feral Interactive | ButtonSoft |
Side by side
- Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition (2019) is 3 years older than Gem Rifts (2022).
- Gem Rifts scores higher on Steam reviews (100% positive) than Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition (95.1% positive).
- Gem Rifts is currently ~71% cheaper on Steam than Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition (9.99 USD vs. 34.99 USD).
- Both support cooperative play.
- Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition is Deck Playable on Steam Deck; Gem Rifts has no Deck rating yet.
Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition vs Gem Rifts — FAQ
- Should I play Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition or Gem Rifts first?
- If you want chronology, Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition (2019) came out before Gem Rifts (2022). 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.
- Do both Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition and Gem Rifts have co-op?
- Yes — both list a co-op category on Steam. Specifics differ: Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition ships Online Co-op, LAN Co-op; Gem Rifts ships Online Co-op, Co-op.
- Does Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition run on Steam Deck?
- Yes — Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition is rated Deck Playable by Valve. Gem Rifts doesn't have a Deck rating yet, so its Deck behaviour is currently unverified.