Age of Empires II (2013)

2024.01.15 Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition came out in 2019. Age of Empires II: HD Edition came out in 2013. I'm playing the older one because: * i'll play DE on my next computer, where i can take better advantage of its features * this old computer should be able to handle HD; once i have new computer why waste time on old one * i finished AOE1 DE (which really should have been called HD), should move on to AOE2 HD * completionism: i want to play HD before playing DE * i want to play something 'new' on steam; this technically counts When did I last play AOE2... 10 years ago! https://thelastoftheoriginalvideogamers.blogspot.com/2013/04/age-of-empires-2-now-in-hd.html I used the Gold edition, in a paper box with 2 CDs, because I couldn't find my even older copies. Steam, install, 4.47gb Play. Validating Subscriptions with a counter running. Let it run a minute - what is this doing? Check the box Automatically close. Still running. Search, say try control-c. There was something about agreeing to the Workshop agreement, but it seems to continue anyway. The old Ensemble Studios video, forgot about that, and the old video of the kings playing chess metaphor. At the main screen. It's the medieval town version, not the one with snow. Options; doesn't seem to be much to do. Campaign Menu: Age of Kings, The Conquerors, The Forgotten, The African Kingdoms, The Rise of the Rajas. Starting at the beginning, Age of Kings (from what year?). William Wallace campaign. Leave difficult on Standard. Ah, this voicework again. This is so clunky. Can I zoom? Seems not. I'm already regretting this - maybe I should have waited until DE. 2024.01.16 Getting used to the hotkeys again... I used to know these by memory? I guess it's not like driving a car. I must remember the basics, explore as far and fast as possible. Every second that goes by the enemy is mining YOUR stone and gold, and they must be found and stopped. next campaign: 2: Joan of Arc These old campaigns are nice and all, but they are a bit long and can get tedious. Does completionism mean I need to play them all again now, and again when I get the Definitive Edition? 2024.01.18 2024.01.19 2024.01.20 2024.01.23 Joan campaign #5. I hate scenarios where you micro but don't build, but I hate cheat codes more. The best I can do is use a guide. https://ageofempires.fandom.com/wiki/The_Siege_of_Paris_(Age_of_Empires_II) 2024.01.24 That actually wasn't that hard; could have done without guide, but I appreciate spending less time on it. On to the next one. 2024.01.25 Joan done. 2024.01.26 3: Saladin I do not like how when you hit screenshot the voice audio stops playing. Pathing is ok, but attack move is terrible. Units don't seem to be able to target the enemy as they encounter them, and there's a lot of milling about before any attack happens. 2024.01.27 saladin mission 3, no towers or castles - which is most of my turtle playstyle! but there's a brilliant speed run; can finish in under 10 minutes. i don't even feel bad using it. saladin 4, good but it's getting a little tiresome how clunky this game can be. i find myself missing the smoother gameplay of aoe3 (though not the actual content). I have the Forgotten DLC, but not the next two (Africa, Rajas). Not that it's a problem, and not that it isn't worth the money, but for the price of these 2 old DLC, I could just buy Definitive Edition, which includes them all (and there are even more new ones to buy). I add all the DLC to my Steam wishlist. I think it's a waste of time to keep playing HD, at least until I try DE to compare. Searching for reasons to play HD in a DE world... it seems like there's some nostalgia, but most people are happy to move on. I will find out for myself. 2024.01.29 uninstalled

status 2024

2024.01.03 Steam Winter Sale

$2.99 Sherlock Holmes: Crimes and Punishments (2014)

$3.99 The Sinking City (2021)

$3.99 Halls of Torment (2023)

$4.49 The Division (2016)

$4.59 The Forest (2018)

2024.01.12 GoG

$0.79 Robin Hood: The Legend of Sherwood (2002)

$2.49 Medal of Honor: Allied Assault War Chest (2004)

$1.99 Return to Castle Wolfenstein (2002)

$1.99 Mirror's Edge (2009)

$0.99 The Companion (2021)

2024.01.15

Lightly playing SC2, JJ, GTA5O. Doing something old/new with AOE2:HD (2013).

2024.01.29

Done with AOE2 HD; will try AOE2 DE before any further time on it.

Back to the regular rotation for now, while thinking of what to play next.

2024.03.09

Playing a lot of SC2 vs AI.

GoG

$ 1.99 Call of Juarez

$ 2.99 Crypt of the NecroDancer

$ 2.49 S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky

2024.04.06

I think I can finally stop playing SC2 vs AI for now.

I'm getting nothing out of it but marking time.

If I'm going to do that, it might as well be with a new game.

To prevent backsliding, uninstall Battle.net.

2024.05.03

It's a good thing I uninstalled it, because it's tempting to just keep mindlessly playing SC2.

Steam is still updating L4D 1 and 2, TF2, and GTA5 - but can I even play them anymore on my win7 box?

Steam says no to GTA5, but is that actually a rockstargames.com error message?

TF2 (last played 2023.05.29)? Yes, it works, but I'm not really in the mood for it. It should scratch the mindless endless combat checkbox however, and maybe that's enough...

Well for an hour.

Maybe if I just buy some more games I don't play

Steam

$4.99 OneShot (2016)

$5.99 Total War: Shogun 2 (2011)

$3.99 Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order (2019)

$3.99 Mindustry (2019)

$2.49 Star Wars Republic Commando (2005)

$5.99 Yakuza 0 (2018)

2024.05.11 Steam

Classic Marathon came out yesterday, and its free.

They original came out in 1994, and I missed it.

Not sure if this is the right version to play, will look into it later.

There's a Marathon 2 and Infinity, don't know. Easy enough to just wishlist for now.

2024.05.15 GoG

 

$ 1.99 DOOM II (1994)

$ 2.99 Far Cry (2004)

$ 1.18 Legacy of Kain: Defiance (2003)

$ 1.99 Stranglehold (2007)

$ 1.25 Thief 3: Deadly Shadows (2004)

$ 3.99 Tomb Raider GOTY (2013)

$ 1.18 Tomb Raider: Legend (2006)

$ 1.25 Tomb Raider: Underworld (2008)

$ 1.49 Wolfenstein 3D (1992)

$ 1.49 Clive Barker's Undying (2001)

$ 1.19 Serious Sam: The Second Encounter (2002)

$ 1.19 Iron Storm (2002)

Why am I buying and rebuying old games? To play them offline on old versions of Windows { when? after you play them on Steam? }

2024.05.20 GoG

$1.25 Tomb Raider: Anniversary (2007)

$1.79 Hitman 2: Silent Assassin (2002)

$1.18 Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness (2003)

$1.49 Rise of the Triad (2013)

$2.49 The Suffering (2004)

$2.99 Deus Ex: Human Revolution - Director’s Cut (2013)

$2.49 Fallout Tactics (2001)

$2.99 Neverwinter Nights: Enhanced Edition (2018)

2024.05.20 Steam

$3.99 Batman: Arkham City - Game of the Year Edition (2012)

$4.49 Europa Universalis III Complete (2007)

$3.99 Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor (2014)

$4.99 Shadowrun: Hong Kong - Extended Edition (2015)

2024.05.28 Steam

$4.99 Terraria (2011)

2024.05.28 GoG

$1.59 Hitman: Codename 47 (2000)

$1.97 SimCity 2000 Special Edition (1995)

$1.99 Amnesia: The Dark Descent (2010)

$1.64 Call of Cthulhu: Dark Corners of the Earth (2006)

2024.06.03 GoG

$4.99 Commandos 2+3 (2003)

$1.49 I Have No Mouth And I Must Scream (1995)

$3.99 Supreme Commander Gold Edition (2008)

$1.99 The Testament of Sherlock Holmes (2012)

$3.49 Blade Runner - Enhanced Edition (2022)

$2.99 Call of Juarez: Gunslinger (2013)

2024.06.14 GoG

$4.99 Silver Box Classics (?) [bundle: Dragons of Flame (1989), Heroes of the Lance (1988), Shadow Sorcerer (1991), War of the Lance (1989)]

FREE Elder Scrolls: Arena (1994)

FREE Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall (1996)

$2.39 Elder Scrolls Legend: Battlespire (1997)

$2.39 Elder Scrolls Adventures: Redguard (1998)

$4.99 Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion - Game of the Year Edition Deluxe (2007)

2024.06.27 Steam

$4.99 ABZU (2016)

$2.99 Dead Island Riptide - Definitive Edition (2016)

2024.07.04 I miss the noise and activity; for lack of a better option I reinstall Battle.net, SC2.

Hopefully I can use it as needed and not abuse it again.

2024.07.10 yep, i'm abusing it again

summer sales

2024.07.10 GoG

$2.49 SpellForce Platinum (2005)

$1.24 Desperados: Wanted Dead or Alive (2001)

$0.97 Anachronox (2001)

$3.99 The Bard's Tale ARPG: Remastered and Resnarkled (2004)

$1.39 Omikron: The Nomad Soul (1999)

$1.79 Hitman 3: Contracts (2004)

$3.74 Grim Fandango Remastered (2015)

$2.09 STAR WARS Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II (1997)

$3.49 STAR WARS Republic Commando (2005)

$1.49 X-Com: UFO Defense (1993)

$2.49 ENDLESS™ Space - Definitive Edition (2012)

$2.09 Maniac Mansion (1987)

$1.99 Hitman: Blood Money (2006)

2024.07.10 Steam

$0.97 Anachronox (2001)

$2.88 Celeste + OST (2018)

$2.24 Far Cry 3 - Blood Dragon (2013)

$2.49 SpellForce - Platinum Edition (2009)

$2.79 Battlefield 1 Revolution (2016)

$2.99 Far Cry 3 (2012)

$2.99 Sid Meier's Civilization VI (2016)

$2.99 Frostpunk (2018)

$3.99 Graveyard Keeper (2018)

$3.99 The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (2015)

$5.38 Disco Elysium - The Final Cut Bundle (2019)

2024.08.26 GoG

free Tropico 4

$3.99 Graveyard Keeper (2018)

$1.99 Hitman: Absolution (2012)

$3.74 THIEF: Definitive Edition (2014)

$1.99 Red Faction (2001)

$1.99 Painkiller Black Edition (2005)

2024.08.26 Steam

$3.99 Dying Light (2016)

2024.09.09 GoG

$1.19 Sinking Island (2007)

$1.49 Syberia 3 (2017)

$1.99 Crusader Kings Complete (2004)

$1.49 Freedom Fighters (2003)

$2.09 Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis (1992)

$2.09 Indiana Jones and the Emperor's Tomb (2003)

2024.09.18 Steam

$2.99 The Walking Dead: A New Frontier (2016)

$3.99 The Walking Dead: The Final Season (2018)

2024.09.18 GoG

$1.79 Stronghold HD (2001)

$1.99 Stronghold Crusader HD (2002)

$2.49 Knights of Honor (2004)

$1.39 Kane and Lynch: Dead Men (2007)

$2.99 Frostpunk, Standard Edition (2018)

2024.10.18 GoG

$2.49 Gothic (2001)

$1.19 Jagged Alliance: Deadly Games (1995)

$1.49 Jagged Alliance 2 (1999)

$1.24 NecroVision (2009)

$0.99 Painkiller: Overdose (2007)

2024.10.25 GoG

$4.19 METAL GEAR (1987)

2024.11.05 GoG

$2.49 The Coma: Recut Deluxe Edition (2017)

$1.29 Pathologic Classic HD (2015)

$3.49 Hexplore (1998)

2024.11.11 Steam

$7.99 Control Ultimate Edition (2020)

free Samorost 1 (2021 remaster of 2003 game)

$0.99 Samorost 2 (2009)

$3.55 Botanicula Collector's Edition (2012)

Botanicula

Botanicula Soundtrack + Art Book

$1.74 Pilgrims (2019)

$1.99 CHUCHEL (2018)

$3.99 Metro Exodus - Gold Edition (2020)

2024.11.14 GoG

$1.99 Tex Murphy: Under a Killing Moon (1994)

$3.74 Shadowrun Returns (2013)

$2.99 Prey (2017)

$2.99 Theme Hospital (1997)

$0.79 Return to Mysterious Island (2004)

$0.79 Return to Mysterious Island 2 (2014)

$0.59 Atlantis: The Lost Tales (1997)