One of the best RTSs of all time.
The gameplay is rock solid, and never getsa old. The game is set in the Middle Ages, and you can play as any of the 13 civilizations presented. Each civilization has several ways in which it is unique from the other civs. This keeps the game interesting becasue there are so many stratagies that can be made for each civ. The game, like other RTSs, focuses around building a base, collecting resources and building an army. This all works out smoothly, and has few flaws. Graphic wise the game is stupendous, and even today they don't seem archaic or outdated. The music and sound is magnificent and really sucks you into the atmosphere of the time period.
I love this game. I played the demo for Age of Empires 3 and it was so dissapointing. For me, and many other players feel the same way, this game will never get to old to play. This is the game that put Ensemble Studios on the map and showed the world that they could rival Blizzard and Westwood in the RTS market. I highly recommend this game.