Does Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition run on Linux?

Verdict: Yes

Yes. Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition is a Windows game that runs on Linux through Proton, the tool built into Steam, and players on ProtonDB rate it Gold, the second-highest rating.

Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition by World's Edge, Forgotten Empires, CaptureAge, Tantalus Media, Wicked Witch, Feral Interactive · Strategy · number 84 on Steam's most-played list when checked

Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition is a strategy game from World's Edge, published by Xbox Game Studios, first released on 14 November 2019.

You can play it alone or co-operatively online. Critics scored it 84 out of 100 on Metacritic.

The evidence

Its own Linux version
No, it runs through Proton
Player rating on ProtonDB
Gold, from 849 reports
Steam Deck (which runs Linux)
Playable, with small niggles
Anti-cheat
None listed

How to play it

  1. Install Steam from your Linux app store and sign in. Your library is already there.
  2. In Steam's settings, under Compatibility, switch on "Enable Steam Play for all other titles". That turns on Proton for every Windows game. You only do this once.
  3. Install Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition and press Play.

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Ratings are reported by players at ProtonDB and anti-cheat status by Are We Anti-Cheat Yet. Both change, so follow the links below for today's picture.

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