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Microsoft’s PS5 announcement covered two specific games: Age of Mythology: Retold and Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition. Both are already available: Age of Mythology: Retold launched on PS5 on March 4, 2025, and Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition followed on May 6, 2025. The announcement did not bring every Age of Empires game to PlayStation.
What Microsoft announced for PS5
The original announcement named Age of Mythology: Retold and Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition—not generic new versions of the two franchises. It did not announce PS5 editions of every Age of Empires entry, including Age of Empires IV. Microsoft announced Age of Mythology: Retold for PS5 alongside its Immortal Pillars expansion, while Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition was due later in spring 2025. World’s Edge’s announcement set out that plan.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Age of Empires III | $37.55 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Age Of Empires: Gold (Jewel Case) - PC | $72.55 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Rio Grande Games 7 Empires - Strategy Board Game for 2-6 Players | $57.48 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Mega Empires: The West | $99.38 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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Portal Games Imperial Settlers Empires of The North | $39.95 | Buy on Amazon |
Age of Mythology: Retold: gods and monsters on PS5
Age of Mythology: Retold launched on PS5 on March 4, 2025. Premium Edition owners could start up to five days earlier, from February 27; that early-access window is over, so it is not a reason to choose an edition now. The PS5 launch also brought Immortal Pillars, an expansion featuring the Chinese pantheon, new maps, myth units, and other gameplay additions. Microsoft said the expansion was included with the Premium Edition.
This is the more fantastical of the two strategy games: it combines human civilizations with gods, heroes, monsters, and divine powers. It is a better fit if mythological settings and distinct supernatural abilities appeal more than a historically grounded roster. See the PlayStation game page for the PS5 listing and current edition details.
#1 Best Overall
- Start out playing as the British and begin with a solid economy, or lead the French into an easy alliance with Native Americans - 8 total civilizations to choose from
- Work with Native Americans to your tactical advantage, for the first time ever
- Develop your own Home City, and customize it make it wealthier and more powerful as you take over Europe
- Explore the New World and create colonies while seeking out new resources and making alliances with the Native Americans
- Recover buried treasure from the Caribbean, hunt bison on the Great Plains, compete for trade routes and fortify the coast of New England
Microsoft’s 2025 announcement said updates from the PS5 launch onward would arrive across Steam, Windows, Xbox, and PS5, and that players could play together. That is the announcement-era cross-platform commitment; do not assume it means cross-save or that every edition and feature is identical across platforms.
Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition: a large historical RTS package
Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition arrived on PS5 on May 6, 2025. Its remastered presentation includes 4K visuals and updated audio, and Microsoft’s launch description advertised more than 45 civilizations and over 200 hours of campaign content. The PS5 base package includes the original game and the Lords of the West, Dynasties of India, and Dawn of the Dukes expansions. The Premium Edition adds previously released DLC, including The Three Kingdoms. Check the current PlayStation Store listing for exact regional edition contents and prices; pricing and discounts can change.
The game suits players who want medieval history, traditional resource-gathering and army-building, and a broad campaign library. It has also received later content: The Last Chieftains and expanded naval warfare arrived on February 17, 2026, across supported platforms. For the PS5 launch and package overview, see World’s Edge’s launch announcement and the official Premium Edition details.
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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsCross-play, accounts, and PlayStation Plus
Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition supports cross-platform multiplayer between PS5 and other supported platforms. To play with people on other platforms, you need a Microsoft account. Cross-play is not cross-progression: the game’s PS5 FAQ says progress, achievements, and trophies do not transfer between platforms.
Rank #3
- VIE FOR SUPEMACY: Europe in the Age of Absolutism: The 7 Empires Great Britain, Russia, France, Spain, Prussia, Habsburg and the Ottomans vie for supremacy on the old continent.
- THE GAME IS PLAYED OVER 8 DECADES with each Empires taking a turn and section actions. Build your legacy through the decades as you develop & influence the different empires.
- BUILD & DEPLOY: The Empire builds a new city or upgrades an existing one. Once cities are built or upgraded, players can deploy units to defend their territories or expand their empire.
- MOVE & FIGHT: Movement and combat are essential components in establishing control over the game world. Put pressure on your competitors by moving your ships and land units to establish your won flag in occupied regions.
- GAME VARIANTS: Change up your game! The standard game can span8 decades but you can expand to 9 or 10 decades, with each decade bringing new opportunities and challenges.
For this game, PlayStation Plus is required for online multiplayer but not for single-player. That distinction matters if you are buying it for its campaigns: you can play those without adding a PS Plus subscription. These requirements are specific to Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition; do not assume they are the same for Age of Mythology: Retold. Consult the official PS5 FAQ for the game’s account, subscription, and multiplayer details.
Mouse and keyboard on PS5
Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition supports mouse and keyboard on PS5, according to its official FAQ. That gives players accustomed to PC real-time strategy controls another option alongside the controller. The confirmation here applies to Age of Empires II; do not assume identical input support for Age of Mythology: Retold without checking that game’s current documentation.
Rank #4
- 2 Rulebooks 1080 Different Tokens 459 Civilization Advances 219 Trade Cards 2 Large Map Boards 2 Archeological Succession Tables (9/18 players) 1 Census Track Board 1 City Count Board 9 Player Mats 5 Players Aids 6 Card Trays Plastic Storage Bags
Which one should you choose?
- Choose Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition for medieval history, a deep collection of campaigns and civilizations, cross-platform multiplayer, or confirmed mouse-and-keyboard support. If you only want single-player, you do not need PS Plus; online multiplayer does require it.
- Choose Age of Mythology: Retold if you want gods, myth units, heroes, and supernatural powers rather than a strictly historical setting. Its PS5 release came with the Immortal Pillars expansion.
- Consider both if you want two distinct takes on real-time strategy: one built around historical civilizations and one around mythology.
For either game, compare the live PS5 edition listings before buying. Premium editions may make sense if you want their bundled expansions, but their launch-era early-access periods have ended. If you already play on PC or Xbox, also weigh the lack of progress transfer in Age of Empires II against the value of playing on PS5.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Imperial Settlers: Empires of the North is a new, standalone card game in the established Imperial Settlers universe, with players heading to the far north where three different factions live: Scotsmen, Inuits, and Vikings.
- 6 decks in the base box
- Engaging solo variant
- Will you be able to create the most successful civilization in Imperial Settlers: Empires of the North?
- 1-4 players, 45-90 minute play time
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