Age of Empires 2: Definitive Edition continues to reign supreme as a real-time strategy classic. Mastering resource management, military strategy, and technological advancements is the key to victory. But, for those who want to experiment, have some fun, or simply dominate the battlefield in an unorthodox way, cheat codes offer a welcome alternative.

This guide delves into the exciting world of Age of Empires 2 cheat codes, providing a comprehensive list and explaining how to activate them depending on your preferred method.

Knowing Your Options: Two Paths to Cheating Glory

Age of Empires 2 offers two primary ways to activate cheat codes:

Direct Input: This method involves typing the code directly into the game during gameplay.

Command Line Parameters: For a more technical approach, you can utilize command line parameters when launching the game.

Important Note: Activating cheat codes in Age of Empires 2 disables achievements and modifies gameplay, so use them with caution if you’re aiming for a pure experience.

Direct Input Cheats: Unleashing Resources at Your Fingertips

These cheat codes are perfect for those who want a quick boost of resources during gameplay. Here’s how to activate them:

Press Enter During Gameplay:  While playing the game, press the Enter key on your keyboard to bring up the chat window.

Type the Code:  Here’s where the magic happens!  Carefully type the following codes without quotation marks:

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

Other Cheats:

marco – Reveals the entire map

polo – Disables Fog of War

aegis – Enables instant building construction

wimpywimpywimpy – Commits suicide (use with caution!)

to smithereens – Creates a powerful saboteur unit

how do you turn this on – Spawns a Shelby Cobra race car (fun fact!)

[opponent number] + “torpedo” – Instantly defeats a specific opponent (replace opponent number with the actual player number)

Remember:  Be mindful of capitalization when entering these codes.

Command Line Parameter Cheats: A Technical Twist

For the more technical players, Age of Empires 2 offers command line parameter cheats. Here’s how to use them:

Locate the Game Shortcut: Find the shortcut you use to launch Age of Empires 2 on your computer.

Right-Click and Properties: Right-click on the shortcut and select “Properties.”

Target Bar Modification: In the “Properties” window, find the “Target” bar. This is where you’ll add the code.

Adding the Code:  At the very end of the existing text in the target bar, add a space followed by the desired code in quotation marks. For example:

To disable the intro movie: “nostartup” (without quotation marks)

Apply and Launch: Click “Apply” and then “OK” to save the changes. Now, when you launch the game using this shortcut, the cheat code will be activated.

Here are some additional command line parameter cheats you can try:

automumpsave – Enables autosaving

nomusic – Disables music

nosound – Disables all sounds

800, 1024, 1280 (or a desired resolution) – Sets the game resolution

Remember: You can combine multiple command line parameters by adding spaces between them in the target bar.

The Ethical Code of Cheating: A Word of Caution

While using cheat codes can be a fun way to experiment and create wacky scenarios, it’s important to use them responsibly. Here are some things to consider:

Single-Player Fun: Unless you have explicit permission from your fellow players, restrict cheat code use to single-player mode.

Disabling Achievements: Using cheat codes disables achievements, so if you’re aiming for completion, avoid them.

The Thrill of the Challenge: Age of Empires 2 offers immense satisfaction through strategic victories. Don’t spoil the challenge entirely by relying solely on cheats.

FAQs

Looking to spice up your Age of Empires 2 experience?  We’ve got you covered! Here’s a breakdown of the cheat codes available in both the original game and the Definitive Edition:

How to Activate Cheats?

In Age of Empires 2, there are two primary methods to activate cheats:

During Gameplay: Press Enter to bring up the chat window, then type the cheat code and press Enter again.

Launch Commands: Include the cheat code as a parameter when launching the game through Steam or another platform.

Important Note: Enabling cheats disables achievements, so use them wisely!

Resource Cheats:

Grant yourself a boost of resources:

cheese steak jimmy’s: 10,000 Food (Original)/1,000 Food (Definitive Edition)

robin hood: 10,000 Gold (Original)/1,000 Gold (Definitive Edition)

lumberjack: 10,000 Wood (Original)/1,000 Wood (Definitive Edition)

rock on: 10,000 Stone (Original)/1,000 Stone (Definitive Edition)

ninjalui/ninjaconnor: 100,000 of ALL resources (Definitive Edition only)

Map and Fog of War:

marco: Reveals the entire map.

polo: Disables the Fog of War, letting you see the entire battlefield constantly.

Gameplay Tweaks:

aegis: Enables instant building construction.

wimpywimpywimpy: Commits suicide (use with caution!).

Other Fun Stuff:

natural wonders: Take control of wild animals instead of villagers. (Original only)

black death: Instantly destroys all enemy units. (Original only)

torpedo [1-4]: Destroys a specific opponent (Original only).

Other Useful Cheats:

wimpywimpywimpy: Instantly defeats your own civilization.

natural wonders: Allows you to control wild animals instead of villagers. (Original only)

black death: Instantly destroys all enemy units and buildings. (Original only)

torpedo [1-4]: Instantly destroys a specific enemy player (by player number). (Original only)

i r winner: Instantly wins the current campaign mission. (Original only)

resign: Instantly loses the current campaign mission. (Original only)

Important Notes:

Using cheats disables achievements in the Definitive Edition.

Be mindful that some cheats are only available in the original Age of Empires 2 and not the Definitive Edition.

Looking for More?

These are just some of the most popular cheat codes. For a full list, check out these resources:

IGN Wiki – Age of Empires 2 Cheats: https://www.ign.com/videos/every-age-of-empires-2-cheat

GamesRadar – All Age of Empires 2 Definitive Edition cheats and codes: https://www.ign.com/wikis/age-of-empires-ii-the-age-of-kings/PC_Cheats

Remember: While cheats can be a fun way to experiment, the true challenge and satisfaction of Age of Empires 2 lies in mastering your strategy and outsmarting your opponents. So have fun, but don’t forget the thrill of a hard-earned victory!

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