Regardless of what we think of aoe4 as a game, I think we can acknowledge that there are some really talented players there. But which group of players is better, aoe2 or aoe4?
The case for aoe4:
1) More total prize money won; 2) Loftier individual results (Leenock’s sc2 results are the most impressive accomplishment of anyone in either game); 3) Having several players who successfully competed in multiple games (Vortix and Lucifron both have four liquipedia pages)
The case for aoe2:
1) The main argument for aoe2 is really quite simple: if they wanted to, top aoe2 players could easily compete at the highest level in aoe4. We already saw Hera win a big event, and there is no doubt in my mind that players like Liereyy/Yo/Mbl and several others are simply higher level RTS player than let’s say Kasva, so it stands to reason that if they had committed to aoe4 they’d be top players. 2) No aoe4 player has ever gotten to the top level in aoe2. Marinelord topped out ~2k2 and I’ve heard Vortix topped out ~2k. To be fair, many or most of the aoe4 players have probably never touched aoe2, but I think it’s still relevant enough to mention.
My vote is for aoe2. I think aoe4 players are more interesting, but I think the level is just higher in aoe2. The fact is that while aoe4 players may look better on paper most of their accomplishments came a long time ago (in some cases, an actual decade ago); last week the aoe4 commentators jokingly referred to aoe4 as the “stacraft retirement home” and they’re not wrong. Curious what others think though.
The case for aoe4:
1) More total prize money won; 2) Loftier individual results (Leenock’s sc2 results are the most impressive accomplishment of anyone in either game); 3) Having several players who successfully competed in multiple games (Vortix and Lucifron both have four liquipedia pages)
The case for aoe2:
1) The main argument for aoe2 is really quite simple: if they wanted to, top aoe2 players could easily compete at the highest level in aoe4. We already saw Hera win a big event, and there is no doubt in my mind that players like Liereyy/Yo/Mbl and several others are simply higher level RTS player than let’s say Kasva, so it stands to reason that if they had committed to aoe4 they’d be top players. 2) No aoe4 player has ever gotten to the top level in aoe2. Marinelord topped out ~2k2 and I’ve heard Vortix topped out ~2k. To be fair, many or most of the aoe4 players have probably never touched aoe2, but I think it’s still relevant enough to mention.
My vote is for aoe2. I think aoe4 players are more interesting, but I think the level is just higher in aoe2. The fact is that while aoe4 players may look better on paper most of their accomplishments came a long time ago (in some cases, an actual decade ago); last week the aoe4 commentators jokingly referred to aoe4 as the “stacraft retirement home” and they’re not wrong. Curious what others think though.