Age of Empires original campaigns and victory conditions
Separate campaign instructions from the victory rules of a random-map match.
Edition covered
Guide scope: the original 1997 game and its twelve civilizations. Pictures show the 2018 Definitive Edition, which also includes Rise of Rome and changes graphics, interface and balance. Expansion civilizations and Return of Rome are outside the original-game tables.
Start with the Egyptian campaign
Ascent of Egypt teaches the basic economy and military sequence. Scenario objectives can require survival, construction or specific victories, so read the briefing instead of assuming every map ends by destroying all enemies.
| Campaign | Civilization | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Ascent of Egypt | Egyptians | Learning campaign |
| Voices of Babylon | Babylonians | Campaign with defensive and offensive scenarios |
| Glory of Greece | Greeks | Greek historical scenarios |
| Yamato, Empire of the Rising Sun | Yamato | Japanese campaign scenarios |
Choose a victory rule deliberately
Standard random-map play can include conquest and timed alternatives involving a Wonder, artifacts or ruins. The chosen setup and scenario override the assumption that every game uses the same ending.
| Rule | Requirement type | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Conquest | Defeat the opposing force | Scenario-specific completion conditions |
| Wonder | Construct and defend a Wonder | Whether Wonder victory is enabled |
| Artifacts | Control the required artifacts | Map availability and timer |
| Ruins | Control the required ruins | Map availability and timer |
| Scenario objective | Complete the briefing goals | Named targets, buildings or survival conditions |
Prepare for a timed defense
A Wonder is a visible late commitment rather than an instant win. Build the economy and army first, keep approaches covered and watch the displayed countdown for the actual match settings.
Keep expansion campaigns separate
Rise of Rome and Definitive Edition add campaign content beyond the four original campaigns listed here. Their presence in a modern menu does not make them part of the 1997 release.
Rise of Rome and Definitive Edition add campaign content beyond the four original campaigns listed here. Their presence in a modern menu does not make them part of the 1997 release.
References
| Reference | Website |
|---|---|
| Publisher game and edition listing | store.steampowered.com |
| Microsoft edition overview | www.ageofempires.com |
| Original publisher manual | www.bestoldgames.net |