Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition vs Stronghold 3 Gold
Which one is worth buying now, with today's prices and each game's recommendation.
Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition wins 11 of 15 head-to-head metrics. Stronghold 3 Gold is $11.10 cheaper.
Metric by metric
The winner of each row gets a ✓. No row weighs more than another; the recommendation is calculated separately.
| Metric | Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition | Stronghold 3 Gold |
|---|---|---|
| GameValio scoreRecommendation: Worth It × Wait for Sale | 72 | 50 |
| Quality | 91 | 34 |
| Value | 61 | 83 |
| Popularity | 48 | 28 |
| Current Best Price (USD) | $12.89 | $1.79 |
| Steam Review Score | 95% positive | 31.5% positive |
| Average Concurrent Players (14 days) | 17.1K | 18 |
Where to buy
The 3 cheapest stores for each game
Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition
Kinguin Cheapest Key marketplace$12.89−63%Buy 
GAMIVO Key marketplace$21.40−39%Buy 
Loaded Authorized reseller$29.49−16%Buy 
Side by side over time
Age of Empires II: Definitive EditionStronghold 3 Gold
Details and requirements
| Item | Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition | Stronghold 3 Gold |
|---|---|---|
| Release date | November 14, 2019 | May 25, 2012 |
| Developers | World's Edge, Forgotten Empires | Firefly Studios |
| Publishers | Xbox Game Studios | Firefly Studios |
| Platforms | Windows, MacOs | Windows |
| OS (minimum) | Windows 10 64bit | Windows 7/8/10/11 |
| Processor (minimum) | 2.4 Ghz i5 or greater or AMD equivalent | 1.8 GHz Quad Core CPU |
| Memory (minimum) | 8 GB RAM | 4GB RAM |
| Graphics (minimum) | Nvidia® GTX 650 or AMD HD 5850 or better | 512 MB ATI 4800 series or better, 512 MB nVidia 9800 series or better |
| DirectX (minimum) | Version 11 | — |
| Network (minimum) | Broadband Internet connection | — |
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition or Stronghold 3 Gold?
Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition won the comparison against Stronghold 3 Gold based on the head-to-head metric breakdown. Check the metrics table above for a full side-by-side analysis.
How is the comparison calculated?
The comparison winner is determined objectively by counting which game wins more individual metrics in the head-to-head table. No weighting is applied. The GameValio Recommendation shown separately is our own suggestion for each game, based on a weighted score that combines quality (reviews), popularity (player counts), and affordability (price vs value) into a score out of 100. These are two different things: the comparison is objective, the recommendation is GameValio's opinion.
Is Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition worth buying over Stronghold 3 Gold?
Based on the metrics, Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition won the direct comparison. However, also check the GameValio Recommendation for each game and the price comparison table to make the most informed purchase decision.
Which game has better player reviews?
Review score trends and volume over time are shown in the charts section above. The game with consistently higher positive ratios has stronger community reception.
Which game offers better value for money?
The affordability score and price comparison table above highlight the best deals. Stronghold 3 Gold currently scores better on value relative to its quality and price.
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Analysis updated: Oct 24, 2026, 02:34 PM UTC