Steam app 221380 is the 2013 HD Edition of Age of Empires II, renamed Age of Empires II (2013) in August 2019 and Age of Empires II (Retired) in January 2024. It has received no updates since Definitive Edition shipped on 14 November 2019, and the store page states plainly that it will not be updated further. If you are buying Age of Empires II today, buy the Definitive Edition: this page is for people who already own HD and want to know whether it still runs.
Age of Empires II (Retired) features distinct areas with increasing difficulty. This guide covers every major location in progression order: what to do, what to get, and when to move on. For the step-by-step path, see our walkthrough.
Area Progression Order
| Order | Location | Difficulty | Key Rewards | Recommended Build |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arabia | All skill levels, the default 1v1 map | Fast games and the clearest test of build order timing | Franks |
| 2 | Black Forest | Casual and team games | Long booms, siege heavy endgames, safe teching | Franks |
| 3 | Gold Rush | Team games and free for all | Concentrated central gold and constant midgame skirmishing | Britons |
| 4 | Migration | Casual and team games | A safe early boom plus naval control of the crossing | Britons |
| 5 | Fortress | Team games | A guaranteed safe start and clean Castle Age power spikes | Britons |
Arabia: Starting Area
The open, sparse default competitive map where walls are expensive and early aggression is standard. HD's older pathing shows itself here first, because army movement across open terrain never stops.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | All skill levels, the default 1v1 map |
| Key Rewards | Fast games and the clearest test of build order timing |
| Recommended Build | Franks |
| Key Equipment | Throwing Axeman |
What to Do Here
- Learn the basics of A build frozen since 2019. This is where you practice without heavy punishment.
- Collect starting resources and your first equipment upgrade.
- Clear all main content before moving to Black Forest.
- If you're struggling, read our beginner's guide.
Black Forest: Early Game
Dense forest with narrow chokepoints, the classic map for booming behind walls for forty minutes. Games routinely reach Imperial Age with full trade lines running.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Casual and team games |
| Key Rewards | Long booms, siege heavy endgames, safe teching |
| Recommended Build | Franks |
| Key Equipment | Throwing Axeman |
What to Do Here
- Focus on mastering 31 civilizations across three expansions. It's critical from this point on.
- Farm for Throwing Axeman if you don't have it yet.
- Complete all objectives for maximum rewards.
- Prepare for the difficulty spike in Gold Rush.
Gold Rush: Mid Game
A central gold pile ringed by open ground, which turns the middle into a permanent fight. Whoever holds the center gold usually wins the late game.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Team games and free for all |
| Key Rewards | Concentrated central gold and constant midgame skirmishing |
| Recommended Build | Britons |
| Key Equipment | Throwing Axeman |
What to Do Here
- This is the main skill check. Bring an optimized build.
- Longbowman becomes accessible here. Prioritize getting it.
- Master Steam multiplayer lobbies and Workshop for the boss encounters.
- Check our boss guide if you get stuck.
Migration: Late Game
Every player starts on their own island and has to build transports to reach the mainland. It is the map that most rewards knowing what your civilization's navy can actually do.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Casual and team games |
| Key Rewards | A safe early boom plus naval control of the crossing |
| Recommended Build | Britons |
| Key Equipment | Longbowman |
What to Do Here
- Full build optimization is expected by this point.
- Longbowman should be your primary, fully upgraded.
- Pre Definitive Edition unit pathing mastery starts mattering here.
- Farm resources for the push into Fortress.
Fortress: Endgame
Each player starts inside a pre built stone wall enclosure, which makes early aggression expensive. Games settle into siege and trebuchet duels instead of feudal raids.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Team games |
| Key Rewards | A guaranteed safe start and clean Castle Age power spikes |
| Recommended Build | Britons |
| Key Equipment | Longbowman |
What to Do Here
- This is endgame. Best-in-slot gear and a perfected build are mandatory.
- See our boss guide for endgame fight strategies.
- The reward loop: clear content → upgrade → push harder content.
- Experiment with Vietnamese for variety once you've mastered the meta.
Exploration Tips
- Clear areas in order: Arabia → Black Forest → Gold Rush → Migration → Fortress. Skipping areas means missing resources you'll need later.
- Check every corner: Hidden caches and secrets are often in non-obvious locations.
- Match your equipment: Some areas favor different equipment types.
- Read the walkthrough: Our walkthrough provides exact progression milestones for each area.
- Don't rush: Clearing an area fully gives more resources than speedrunning two areas.
More Age of Empires II (Retired) Guides
- Age of Empires II (Retired) Age of Empires II (Retired) Overview
- Age of Empires II (Retired) Best Builds
- Age of Empires II (Retired) Tier List
- Age of Empires II (Retired) Walkthrough
- Age of Empires II (Retired) Beginner's Guide
- Age of Empires II (Retired) Tips & Tricks
- Age of Empires II (Retired) Weapons Guide
- Age of Empires II (Retired) Combat Guide
- Age of Empires II (Retired) Boss Guide
- Age of Empires II (Retired) Crafting Guide
- Age of Empires II (Retired) Classes & Characters
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