I played this game when it came out and it was a lot of fun. I also played it as multiplayer. Nice game and nice campaign. The only thing what I dont like and what I think is much better in AoE2 is the AI. In EE the AI has endless ressources (easy to see when you play with open map). So it doesnt matter hom much workers you kill or how good you bother their economy they will allways have enough ressources and can rebuild. I also had the feeling that the AI is hardest of you attack in the mid game and destroy some buildungs. all of the sudden the AI was went 2 3 eras forward. e.g they dont collect ressources but build units and go to next era or in island maps they build towers around the whole island. while you can build 3 or 4 they build 10 without collecting stone So the difference of the difficulties is just that the AI uses their endless ressources differently. Best way to handle is go to the last epoch and bomb the AI out of the game. So you prevent that it will be from 2 eras behind you to 2 eras infront of you. Still fun ;-) Try to make games via IP work to play with friends. thats best.
