Egyptian
A balanced civilization inspired by ancient Egypt, suited to a wide range of strategies.
Documented for this version
Which controls does this version use?
Actions
Left Mouse Button | Select a unit, building, or menu option. |
|---|---|
Right Mouse Button | Move selected units, gather resources, attack, or perform an available contextual action. |
Left Mouse Button | Drag to select multiple units. |
Control notes
Controls are for the DOS mouse interface.
Exact keyboard shortcuts can vary by manual or release documentation.
How it plays
How does Age of Empires play?
The game uses a top-down perspective. Players collect food, wood, stone, and gold, construct buildings, train units, research technologies, and destroy opposing civilizations or complete scenario objectives.
Campaigns provide structured historical missions, while single-player and multiplayer random-map games support different victory conditions. Advancing through the Stone, Tool, Bronze, and Iron Ages unlocks stronger units, buildings, and technologies, but requires increasing resources and a functioning economy.
Plan your run
What is the best way to play Age of Empires?
Expand carefully rather than spending every resource on early military units. Assign villagers to several resource types, protect key gathering sites, and advance ages when the economy can support new buildings and upgrades.
Scout the map, secure food and gold, and use terrain or walls to delay attacks. A mixed force is usually more reliable than relying on one unit type, and villagers should continue working while armies fight.
Meet the cast
Who are the key characters?
Greek
A versatile civilization drawing on the military and naval traditions of ancient Greece.
Babylonian
A defensive civilization reflecting the mighty fortified cities of ancient Babylon.
Assyrian
An aggressive civilization inspired by the expansionist armies of ancient Assyria.
Hittite
A powerful civilization associated with the military strength of the Hittite Empire.
Minoan
A civilization inspired by the maritime culture of the ancient Minoans.
Phoenician
A seafaring and commercial civilization reflecting the great trading networks of the Phoenicians.
Shang
A balanced civilization known for cheap villagers and rapid expansion, based on the ancient Shang dynasty.
Sumerian
One of the oldest civilizations in history, represented by the city-states of ancient Sumer.
Choson
A defensive civilization rooted in the fortified history of ancient Korea.
Yamato
A cavalry-oriented civilization rooted in the history of ancient Japan.
Persian
A powerful civilization inspired by the Achaemenid Persian Empire.
Documented inputs
What cheats and unlocks are documented?
PEPPERONI PIZZAAdds 1,000 food.
COINAGEAdds 1,000 gold.
WOODSTOCKAdds 1,000 wood.
QUARRYAdds 1,000 stone.
REVEAL MAPReveals the entire map.
NO FOGRemoves the fog of war.
STEROIDSEnables instant construction, research, and unit production.
HOME RUNCompletes the current scenario.
RESIGNResigns the current game.
GAIAGives control of the map's animals instead of the normal civilization.
Before you begin
What should you know before playing?
- 1
Keep villagers producing throughout the game.
- 2
Use scouts to reveal resources and locate opponents early.
- 3
Save stone for defensive structures and important upgrades.
Community discussion
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