Rise of Nations Extended Edition PC bundles the original real-time strategy classic together with its Thrones and Patriots expansion into one package. The re-release arrived on Steam on June 12, 2014, and later landed on the Windows 10 Store on September 14, 2017, complete with Xbox Live achievements and cross-play against the Steam version. If you enjoy empire-building campaigns that stretch from the ancient world into the modern age, this edition gives you the full experience with refreshed textures, lighting, and water effects.

This page walks you through what the Extended Edition actually contains, how the gameplay works, what the system requirements look like, and how to get the installer running on your PC. The download is a two-part archive, so plan for roughly 1 GB plus the smaller second part.

Quick Technical Specifications

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What the Extended Edition Includes

The package is straightforward: you get the base Rise of Nations game plus the Thrones and Patriots expansion in a single install. That means the full campaign set from both releases, all the additional nations and units added by the expansion, and the complete multiplayer suite. For anyone who played the original back in the early 2000s, this is the version that saves you from hunting down two separate discs.

Beyond content, the Extended Edition also refreshes the presentation. Updated textures, improved water rendering, and full-screen anti-aliasing give the isometric battlefields a cleaner look without changing the underlying art style. It is a re-release, not a remake, so the core feel of the game stays intact.

Key Features

• Two games in one install: The original Rise of Nations and the Thrones and Patriots expansion ship together.
• Span of history: Progress from ancient civilizations through to the modern era across a single match, with technology and units evolving as you advance.
• Improved visuals: Updated textures, enhanced water, and full-screen anti-aliasing modernize the look of the battlefield.
• Steamworks integration: Ranked multiplayer with ELO matchmaking, achievements, trading cards, and cloud saves on the Steam version.
• Cross-play support: The Windows 10 Store release supports cross-play with the Steam version, so the player pool stays connected.
• Xbox Live achievements: The Windows 10 Store edition adds Xbox Live achievement tracking on top of the standard feature set.
• Strategy and simulation blend: Resource management, city building, territorial expansion, and real-time combat all sit in one loop.

How the Game Plays

Rise of Nations sits at the intersection of real-time strategy and turn-based empire building. You claim territory by constructing cities and forts, and those borders matter because they determine where you can build and how your economy grows. Resources like food, timber, metal, and wealth flow from your controlled land, and you spend them on buildings, research, and military units.

The pacing is faster than a traditional 4X game but more deliberate than a pure RTS. You will find yourself balancing expansion against defense, because overextending your borders leaves cities vulnerable. The expansion adds new nations with distinct bonuses, plus additional wonders and government types that shift how you approach each match. If you have spent time with other empire-building titles, the learning curve here is gentle enough to pick up in a couple of sessions, though mastering the tech tree takes longer.

For players who enjoy historical strategy with a lighter tone, this pairs well with other titles in our catalog — you might also like Rise of Piracy (v2026.08.19), which takes a different angle on the same genre space.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Both the base game and the Thrones and Patriots expansion come in one download.
• Visual upgrades (textures, water, anti-aliasing) are noticeable without altering the classic art direction.
• Ranked multiplayer with ELO, achievements, and cloud saves on the Steam release.
• Cross-play between Steam and Windows 10 Store versions keeps matchmaking healthy.
• Modest storage footprint — only 3 GB of space is required.
• Runs on older hardware, including integrated GPUs like the HD 3000.

Cons

• It is a re-release, not a remake, so the core engine and AI behavior are unchanged from the original.
• The Windows 10 Store version and Steam version have separate achievement ecosystems, which can be confusing.
• No new campaigns or factions beyond what the original expansion already offered.
• The download is split into two RAR parts, so you need both files before you can extract anything.

System Requirements

Minimum:

• OS: Windows Vista, 7, 8.1+
• Processor: 1.6 GHz
• Memory: 1 GB RAM
• Graphics: DirectX 10+ capable GPU
• DirectX: Version 10
• Storage: 3 GB available space
• Sound Card: DirectX compatible sound card
• Additional Notes: GPU at least integrated HD 3000, 8600GT, or equivalent

These requirements are light by modern standards. If your machine can run a browser with a few tabs open, it can almost certainly run this game.

Version Freshness and Publisher Details

The Extended Edition has been stable since its 2014 Steam launch, with the Windows 10 Store release following in 2017. Because it is a re-release rather than a live-service title, there are no ongoing content patches to track. The build you download here corresponds to the Extended Edition package, and the version field on this page is an estimate based on that release history rather than a specific build number.

Publisher credit goes to Microsoft Studios, with development handled by SkyBox Labs and Big Huge Games. The developer field in our metadata lists Mike, which reflects the uploader for this download rather than the original studio. Keep that distinction in mind if you are comparing this package against the official store listing.

On the trust side, be aware of what this page can and cannot tell you. We are not claiming any malware scan results or a "100% clean" status, because that evidence is not part of the source material for this listing. What we can tell you is that the archive contains no password, and the files are provided as-is for installation via Setup.exe. If a RAR part reports damage or throws a CRC error, re-download that part before troubleshooting further.

How to Install and Play

1. Download both RAR parts — you need the full set before extraction will work.
2. Extract the archive using WinRAR or 7-Zip. If you are unsure how multi-part archives work, follow the extraction guide on the FAQ page.
3. Run Setup.exe to install the game.
4. Launch the game from the desktop shortcut.
5. Start a campaign, skirmish, or multiplayer match and enjoy.

There is no password on the game files. If you hit a broken link or a missing file, use the reupload request form rather than asking in the comments.

Download Links

1Fichier Mirror Links:

Rise of Nations Extended Edition – PC – Part 1 (1 GB)
Rise of Nations Extended Edition – PC – Part 2 (272 MB)

Tusfiles Mirror Links:

Rise of Nations Extended Edition – PC – Part 1 (1 GB)
Rise of Nations Extended Edition – PC – Part 2 (272 MB)

Openload Download Links:

Rise of Nations Extended Edition – PC – Part 1 (1 GB)
Rise of Nations Extended Edition – PC – Part 2 (272 MB)

MultiUp MultiMirror Links:

Rise of Nations Extended Edition – PC – Part 1 (1 GB)
Rise of Nations Extended Edition – PC – Part 2 (272 MB)

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Who Should Play This

If you grew up with the original and want a convenient way to revisit it without tracking down old discs, the Extended Edition is the simplest path. It is also a solid entry point for players new to historical RTS games, since the tutorial and campaign structure ease you in gradually. Players who prefer modern graphics or updated AI may find it dated, but the mechanics hold up well. Fans of the genre looking for something with a different flavor might enjoy Avencast: Rise of the Mage (GOG), an action RPG that takes a very different approach to the same era of PC gaming.

If you like what you see, consider supporting the developers by purchasing the game through official channels as well.

Recommended For You: If you enjoy this game, also check out Rise of a Porn Star (Uncensored) for more top-rated gameplay.

Looking for more top titles? Explore our complete rankings in the Best Nintendo Switch Games guide.

Looking for more top-rated recommendations? Check out our complete guide to the Best Nintendo Switch Games, Strategy.

Frequently Asked Questions & Setup Guide