Age of Empires II

Return of Rome

May 2023

Welcome to Return of Rome, a new type of expansion pack which brings Age of Empires, the title that started it all, as a sub-game within Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition.

Within this self contained experience, you can challenge friends with the original sixteen Age of Empires civilizations — plus one brand-new Return of Rome exclusive civilization, the Lac Viet— and relive the triumph and trials of antiquity. This sub-game also allows you to battle your way across the ancient world with three new campaigns featuring conquerors, empire-builders, and gifted tacticians fighting desperately against fate! We will also be adding a limited selection of Age of Empires’ campaigns over time to keep the action going!

As an additional bonus, the Romans will no longer be bound by time as they become a new playable civilization within Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition, ready to battle in the new Age and are available NOW for Ranked Play with our latest update!

Get "Age of Empires II: Return of Rome" on Steam
Get "Age of Empires II: Return of Rome" on Xbox
Get "Age of Empires II: Return of Rome" on PlayStation

Civilizations

The original 16 Civilizations

Assyrians

Restore the might of the Assyrian Empire under Adad-nirari II and terrify your enemies as the supreme Assyrian archers darken the sun with the shafts of their arrows.

Babylonians

Walk through the Ishtar Gate, ascend ziggurats, and explore the great city of Babylon, a testament to your people’s mastery of stone masonry. Its palace garden, a wonder of the world, was truly paradise on earth.

Carthaginians

Lead Carthage from city-state to empire and challenge the might of Rome with menacing war elephants and an indomitable navy.

Choson

Control the advanced kingdom of Gojoseon and expand your territory by alliance or through the might of your powerful swordsmen.

Egyptians

Sail the Nile River, construct massive pyramids to send your pharaohs to godhood, and lead armies of powerful charioteers as you vie for control of the rich lands of Canaan and the Levant.

Greeks

Establish colonies using your mobile fleets, resolve internal conflicts, and command armies of swift hoplites as you expand your domain.

Hittites

Pouring out of the rocky hills of Anatolia, the Hittites were the terror of the Near East. Lay waste to enemy cities with armies of skilled bowmen and durable siege engines.

Macedonians

Relive the conquests of Alexander the Great at the head of an army of disciplined infantry and powerful siege engines, building a vast empire stretching from Greece to India.

Minoans

Construct vast fleets of ships and build a Mediterranean trade network that will be commemorated on the vibrant frescos within your grand palaces.

Palmyrans

Rising out of the sands of the Syrian Desert, Palmyra built its hegemony on trade and commerce. Defend your caravans and raid your enemies with swift camelry bred in the harsh desert.

Persians

Throw off the Median yoke, conquer Babylon, and build a diverse empire stretching from India and Egypt to Thrace. Powerful elephants will trample anything that stands in your way!

Phoenicians

Invent the alphabet, fashion sturdy ships from the famous cedars of Lebanon, and lead voyages throughout the Mediterranean. Distant lands and the vast seas beyond the Pillars of Heracles await!

Romans

Draw your gladius and emulate the tactical brilliance of Caesar and Trajan as you lead the fabled Roman legions from humble beginnings to mastery of Europe and the Mediterranean world.

Shang

Reap the economic benefits of the fertile Yellow River valley and construct massive fortifications to repulse nomadic invasions from the northern steppe.

Sumerians

Cultivate the rich soils of Mesopotamia, invent writing and the wheel, and wage the wars of Gilgamesh and Sargon. No enemy city will withstand your fearsome siege engines!

Yamato

Take command of sturdy fleets and large cavalry armies as you vie to unify your hardworking people and forge the Empire of the Rising Sun.

2 brand new Civilizations

Romans

Available in “Age of Empires II” mode

Rise to the throne of an empire dominating the Mediterranean Sea and defend your borders against countless barbarian invasions. The Roman unique units are the Legionary, a sturdy infantry unit, and the Centurion, a heavy cavalry unit that increases the power of nearby Militia-line units. Available in singleplayer and unranked multiplayer games.

Lac Viet

Available in “Return of Rome” mode The Lac Viet have been added to the game in honor and recognition of the original Rise of Rome’s phenomenal popularity in Vietnam.

Campaigns

Sargon of Akkad – An unlikely man rises to power in the city-states of Mesopotamia: Sargon is a simple cupbearer to the king, but everything changes when the war goddess Ishtar appears in his dreams. Under her guidance, Sargon leads the quarreling Sumerians into a new age, but the appealing nature of power forces him to choose between his divine destiny and his personal ambition. In this campaign, you will play as the Sumerians.
Pyrrhus of Epirus – As the Wars of the Diadochi saw Alexander the Great’s successors throw the Greek world into chaos, Pyrrhus of Epirus began as a small player among titans. Will he become worthy of the legendary Hannibal Barca’s judgment of him – a renowned general of the age – or will his constant uphill struggle prove insurmountable? In this campaign, you will play as the Macedonians.
Trajan – Marcus Ulpius Trajanus climbed the ranks of the legions while the Emperor Domitian’s tyrannical rule tarnished the Roman Empire’s glory. When circumstance elevates him to the throne as Emperor Trajan, he inherits a realm on the brink of disaster. Will resourcefulness, virtue, and military might be enough to save Rome and lead it to its historical zenith, or will the Roman Empire collapse four centuries before its time? In this campaign, you will play as the Romans.

Media

Rome under Siege

Phoenicians fending off invaders

A Lac Viet army returning after a successful campaign

The formidable cities of ancient Egypt

Ancient cities of Sumeria

Age of Empires II DE: Return of Rome

PLATFORMS

DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS