Age of Empires: Definitive Edition is a remastered version of the 1997 real-time strategy Age of Empires and its expansion pack, The Rise of Rome. For the first and only time in the series, the exclusive distribution platform of choice was the Microsoft Store, before a Steam release a year later. It has been developed by the same teams who released Age of Empires II: HD Edition and Age of Mythology: Extended Edition, and is the first title in the intended series of Age of Empires remastered versions on the Microsoft Store.
Specifically built for Windows 10, this release features both the base game and the expansion with 4K resolution support, completely new graphics that can be turned on and off, a rebuilt user interface, re-recorded soundtrack and remastered sound effects, improved balance that took the unofficial Rise of Rome patch UPatch as a base, new terrains and scenario editor objects, new multiplayer modes and competitive features, and a new multiplayer platform.