15 Age of Empires (1997) Facts, Gameplay Tips, Quotes and Cheats

Age of Empires is a real-time strategy game released in 1997. Developed by Ensemble Studios and published by Microsoft, it became a landmark title in the genre. Age of Empires allows players to build and develop civilizations from various historical periods and guide them to victory.

In Age of Empires, players start with a small group of villagers and a few military units. The goal is to gather resources, such as food, wood, gold, and stone, to expand and advance their civilization. They construct buildings, train armies, research technologies, and engage in warfare with other civilizations.

Age of Empires (1997) Facts

1. Development Origins: Age of Empires was inspired by earlier strategy games like Civilization and Warcraft, aiming to combine elements of empire building and real-time strategy.
2. Ensemble Studios: The game was developed by Ensemble Studios, a Texas-based game development company known for their expertise in the real-time strategy genre.
3. Historical Settings: Age of Empires allows players to experience different historical periods, including the Stone Age, Tool Age, Bronze Age, and Iron Age, each with its unique units and technologies.
4. Multiple Civilizations: The game features 12 playable civilizations, including the Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, Babylonians, and more, each with distinct units and bonuses.
5. Random Map Generator: Age of Empires introduced a random map generator, creating unique terrain and resource layouts for each game, enhancing replayability.
6. Interactive Campaigns: The game included four historical campaigns: Ascent of Egypt, Reign of the Hittites, Glory of Greece, and Yamato, each offering a series of challenging scenarios.
7. Multiplayer Support: Age of Empires featured multiplayer support, allowing players to compete or cooperate with others via LAN or IPX networks.
8. Revolutionary AI: The game’s AI (Artificial Intelligence) was highly regarded for its ability to adapt and provide challenging gameplay, even against skilled players.
9. Building Placement: Age of Empires introduced a grid-based building system, which required careful placement of structures for optimal resource efficiency and defense.
10. Research Technology Tree: The game introduced a technology tree that allowed players to research and unlock various upgrades, providing advancements in units, buildings, and resource gathering.
11. Cheat Codes: Age of Empires featured a variety of cheat codes, enabling players to gain resources, reveal the map, and more. Some popular cheats included “bigdaddy” for resources and “reveal map” to uncover the entire map.
12. Soundtrack: The game’s soundtrack, composed by Stephen Rippy, is highly regarded and is known for its memorable and immersive tunes.
13. Expansion Pack: Age of Empires received an expansion pack titled “The Rise of Rome,” which introduced the Roman civilization, new campaigns, and additional gameplay features.
14. Commercial Success: Age of Empires was a commercial success, selling millions of copies worldwide and solidifying its place as one of the best-selling PC games of its time.
15. Legacy: Age of Empires became the foundation of a highly successful franchise, with multiple sequels and spin-offs that continue to captivate strategy game enthusiasts to this day.

Age of Empires (1997) Gameplay Tips

• Scout the Map: Send out scouts early on to explore the map, discover resources, and locate potential enemy settlements. This will give you valuable information and help you plan your strategy.
• Efficient Resource Gathering: Assign your villagers to gather resources strategically. Balance their tasks between food, wood, gold, and stone, ensuring a steady supply for your civilization’s needs.
• Build Order: Establish a strong foundation by focusing on essential buildings such as houses, resource gathering structures, and military production facilities. Plan your build order to maximize efficiency.
• Research Technologies: Continuously research technologies to unlock upgrades and advancements. Prioritize technologies that align with your chosen strategy or offer crucial advantages in combat.
• Defense is Key: Construct defensive structures such as walls, towers, and castles to protect your base from enemy attacks. Position them strategically to cover vulnerable entry points.
• Balanced Economy: Maintain a balanced economy by diversifying your resource production. Relying too heavily on one resource can leave you vulnerable if it becomes scarce or is disrupted by enemy attacks.
• Build an Army: Train a diverse and well-rounded army consisting of infantry, archers, cavalry, and siege weapons. Each unit type has its strengths and weaknesses, so use them tactically.
• Plan Ahead: Anticipate your long-term strategy and victory condition. Plan your civilization’s growth, military expansion, and technological advancements accordingly.
• Adapt to Enemy Strategies: Observe your opponents’ actions and adjust your strategy accordingly. If they favor a particular unit type or tactic, prepare countermeasures to neutralize their advantages.
• Explore Relics: Locate and control relics on the map. These provide bonuses to your civilization, such as increased gold generation or unit enhancements.
• Utilize Upgrades: Research and apply upgrades for your units and technologies. Upgraded units are stronger and more efficient in combat, giving you an edge over your opponents.
• Establish Trade Routes: Set up trade routes with other players or neutral markets to generate additional resources and gold income. Protect these routes to ensure a steady flow of trade.
• Expand Carefully: Expand your civilization’s territory strategically. Control key resources and secure defensive positions before pushing deeper into enemy territory.

Age of Empires (1997) Cheats

• PEPPERONI PIZZA: Adds 1,000 food to your stockpile.
• COINAGE: Adds 1,000 gold to your stockpile.
• QUARRY: Adds 1,000 stone to your stockpile.
• WOODSTOCK: Adds 1,000 wood to your stockpile.
• REVEAL MAP: Reveals the entire map, removing the fog of war.
• NO FOG: Removes the fog of war, allowing you to see the entire map without exploration.
• STEROIDS: Speeds up construction, research, and unit training.
• BIG DADDY: Adds various resources to your stockpile, including food, wood, gold, and stone.
• KILLX: Kills the player corresponding to the “X” value. Replace “X” with the player number you want to eliminate.

Age of Empires (1997) Quotes

• “Wololo!” – The iconic sound made by priests when converting enemy units to your side.
• “Ready!” – The sound that accompanies the completion of a unit’s training or building construction.
• “Yes, sir?” – A common response from units when given an order.
• “As you command.” – Another response from units acknowledging your command.
• “Archers ready!” – Spoken by archer units when selected.
• “Infantry!” – A rallying cry from infantry units.
• “On my way.” – A response from units when given a movement order.
• “Building complete.” – A confirmation that a building has finished construction.
• “Constructing.” – Spoken by workers when assigned to build a structure.
• “Town bell!” – A sound that signals your units to return to the town center for defense.

Age of Empires Walktrough

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