age-of-empires-ii-deage-of-empires-ii-hdversion differences
My friends and I are looking to play Age of Empires 2. Problem is, there are two Steam versions:
Some of us have one, and some have the other. It seems they are not cross-compatible. Other than the latter supporting 4k graphics, what are the gameplay differences here? Do they have different story/DLC/map inclusions? Are they the same engine underneath?
The Xbox 360 version is different in that it features Kinect support. Here's an excerpt from the Destructoid review detailing the Kinect functionality:
Using Microsoft's camera accessory with the game is totally optional and serves to allow most of the game's basic commands to be given by voice. Kinect can be used to issue commands to squad members, activate special abilities, and change weapons, removing the need to open the game's power wheel, pausing the game and interrupting the flow of combat. Spoken instructions also extend to making dialog choices, opening doors, examining objects and pretty much anything else one would just press the 'A' button to do in a passive manner.
The marketing push for Mass Effect 3 states that the game is "better with Kinect," and it's hard not to agree. Voice recognition is very accurate, usually able to pick up commands even when speech is rushed. It's not perfect and does occasionally, rarely, fail to recognize a command but the system proves impressive nonetheless and it's easy to completely dispense with the power wheel altogether after giving it a little test.
There were three official regional versions of Sonic the Hedgehog; REV00, REV01 and REVXB.
The original sonic was released for the Sega Genesis, in 1991. Sega identified the need for a company mascot, much like Nintendo have Mario. They were very successful - Sonic the Hedgehog was a hit success, and spawned many sequels and spinoffs. Sonic the Hedgehog was bundled with the Sega Genesis. The console was originally bundled with Altered Beast, and any player who had already purchased the console could request a copy of Sonic, for free.
A revision of the game was released for the Japanese and Korean market, with quite a few changes. I went to sonicretro.org for a list.
This revision was actually an official ROM hack. In this revision, spike damage was changed, to behave like it does in the newer titles.
The game is also packaged in many other games, sometimes as an unlockable.
It was also directly ported several times, including to the
Ports may include changes relative to the console they are ported on. The biggest difference would be the controls. Some of the newer versions also included the addition of achievements.
Sonic was re-released, in 8bit, to accomodate the Sega Master System, and the Game Gear. Sonicretro.org lists no revisions, though the game did differ slightly on the game gear, to accommodate the platform.
Levels were simpler, and had alternate themes, although the main objective of the game remained the same. It featured a different sound track, adapted from the original. If Sonic took damage rings were immediately lost, without giving the player a chance to recollect them. The Sega Master System version also contained no Sega splash screen, as this was provided by the console, on startup.
Sonic the Hedgehog was ported to the Game Boy Advance in celebration of its 15 year anniversary. It included the addition of new features, including the ability to save, and access to the level select without a code. It also included a new game mode, 'Anniversary Mode', where you could use the Spin Dash move from Sonic the Hedgehog 2. The view was slightly zoomed in, to accommodate the different screen resolution. It was poorly received, with claims of low frame rate, and poor game play preservation.
A new revision was released, although silently. This version was later ported to Wii and DS, and packed as an easter egg, in the games Sonic Adventure DX: Director's Cut and Sonic Mega Collection Plus.
There were a few changes, which I have sourced from tcrf.net.
Sonic the Hedgehog was remastered, using the Retro Engine, for release on iOS and Google Play. It replaced the ports that were previously available. Additions included a widescreen graphic, the inclusion of the Spin Dash ability, a time attack mode, and the ability to play as Tails or Knuckles.
Best Answer
Both are remasters of Age of Empires 2: Age of Kings. Definitive Edition is the second rerelease and, in addition to the higher quality graphics and all HD Edition content, includes updates and improvements. Some of the notable ones are:
A full list can be found here: https://ageofempires.fandom.com/wiki/Age_of_Empires_II:_Definitive_Edition
Aditionally, Definitive Edition still receives regular balance patches and may receive content updates in the future. HD edition is unlikely to receive more than compatibility updates.