Age of Empires 2: Definitive Edition continues to reign supreme as a real-time strategy classic. Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or a new player just starting your conquest, there’s something undeniably satisfying about building an empire and crushing your foes. But what if you want to experiment, have some fun, or just dominate the battlefield in a single-player setting? That’s where the world of cheats comes in.
This guide delves into the exciting realm of Age of Empires 2 cheats, providing you with everything you need to know to unlock hidden features, manipulate resources, and even control the very fabric of the game. However, before we jump in, a quick disclaimer: using cheats disables achievements and disrupts the competitive balance, so they’re best used in single-player scenarios or for messing around with friends.
Activating Cheats: Knowing the Ropes
There are two primary ways to activate cheats in Age of Empires 2: Definitive Edition. The first method involves using in-game codes during the campaign or scenario. Simply press Enter during gameplay and type the desired cheat code exactly (case-sensitive). Hit Enter again to activate the cheat.
The second method utilizes launch commands. These are special codes you add to the game’s launch shortcut to enable specific cheats from the get-go. To do this, follow these steps:
- Right-click on the Age of Empires 2: Definitive Edition shortcut on your desktop.
- Select Properties.
- In the Shortcut tab, locate the Target field.
- Add a space at the end of the existing text path and then type the desired launch command (refer to the specific cheats below for details).
- Click Apply and then OK to save the changes.
Now, when you launch the game using this shortcut, the cheat will be automatically activated. Remember to remove the launch command from the Target field if you want to play without cheats again.
A Cheat Sheet for Every Need
Now that you know how to activate them, let’s explore the treasure trove of cheats available in Age of Empires 2: Definitive Edition. We’ve categorized them for your convenience:
Resource Boosts: Building Empires in a Flash
- cheese steak jimmy’s: Grants a hefty 10,000 food, perfect for jump-starting your farms and villager production.
- robin hood: Fills your coffers with 10,000 gold, allowing you to research upgrades and hire powerful mercenaries with ease.
- rock on: Provides a solid foundation with 10,000 stone, ideal for constructing fortifications and resource-generating buildings.
- lumberjack: Supplies 10,000 wood, ensuring a steady flow of lumber for buildings, ships, and siege weapons.
- ninjalui: The ultimate cheat for the ultimate empire builder. Grants a staggering 100,000 of all resources (food, gold, stone, and wood) in one fell swoop.
Map Awareness: Scouting Made Easy
- marco: Reveals the entire map, eliminating the fog of war and giving you complete strategic oversight.
- polo: Disables the fog of war entirely, providing constant vision throughout the map.
Construction Bonanza: Building at the Speed of Light
- aegis: Enables instant construction of buildings, walls, and even ships. No more waiting for your builders to finish the job!
Divine Intervention: Controlling the Elements
- natural wonders: Grants you control over all the neutral animals on the map. Turn those pesky wolves into your personal guard dogs!
Domination and Defeat: Controlling the Outcome
- i r winner: An instant victory for those who just want to see the end credits roll. (Campaign mode only)
- resign: Throws in the towel and accepts defeat. (Campaign mode only)
- wimpywimpywimpy: Self-destructs your entire civilization, a quick way to end the game.
- black death: Unleashes a devastating plague that wipes out all enemy units, leaving you the sole survivor.
- torpedo#: Eliminates a specific opponent identified by the # symbol (e.g., torpedo1 for Player 1, torpedo2 for Player 2, and so on).
Miscellaneous Mayhem: Fun and Quirky Cheats
- woof woof: Replaces all the harmless birds on the map with ferocious Stormy Dogs, adding a touch of chaos to the landscape.
Beyond Cheats: Exploring Alternative Playstyles
While cheats offer a quick and easy way to manipulate the game, there are alternative ways to experience Age of Empires 2 outside the realm of traditional competitive play.
FAQs
Q. Are there cheats in Age of Empires 2: Definitive Edition?
Yes! Age of Empires 2: DE offers a variety of cheat codes that can spice up your single-player experience. However, keep in mind that using cheats disables achievements in-game.
Q. How do I activate cheats in Age of Empires 2: DE?
- While playing, press Enter to bring up the chat box.
- Type the desired cheat code exactly (including spaces) and press Enter again.
Q. What are some popular cheat codes in Age of Empires 2: DE?
- Resource cheats:
- cheese steak jimmy’s – Grants 10,000 food.
- robin hood – Grants 10,000 gold.
- rock on – Grants 10,000 stone.
- lumberjack – Grants 10,000 wood.
- ninjalui – Grants 100,000 of all resources.
- Map cheats:
- marco – Reveals the entire map.
- polo – Disables Fog of War for complete vision.
- Gameplay cheats:
- aegis – Enables instant building construction.
- natural wonders – Lets you control wild animals instead of villagers.
- Victory/Defeat cheats:
- i r winner – Grants instant victory in the current campaign mission.
- resign – Loses the current campaign mission.
- wimpywimpywimpy – Commits suicide (useful for testing purposes).
- black death – Destroys all enemy units and buildings (instant win).
- torpedo# – Destroys a specific player (# being the player number).
Q. Are there any other cheats available?
Some advanced cheats involve command line parameters, but these are less common and generally not recommended for casual players.
Q. Should I use cheats?
Cheats can be a fun way to experiment and have some laughs in single-player mode. However, they bypass the challenge and strategic depth that Age of Empires 2 is known for. If you’re looking to improve your skills, it’s best to stick to regular gameplay.
Q. Where can I find more information on Age of Empires 2: DE?
There are many resources available online, including the official Age of Empires website, fan communities, and strategy guides. You can also find video tutorials on YouTube that cover gameplay mechanics and advanced tactics.
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