A devoted fan poured their heart into recreating the entire Skyrim map within Age of Empires 2, and this incredible feat didn’t go unnoticed.
Sharing their achievement on Reddit, the user, known as Grouchy_Bluejay4511, provided a glimpse into their work through a handful of screenshots, highlighting the iconic Skyrim locations, including Whiterun, Solitude, and Windhelm, beautifully reimagined within the classic real-time strategy game.
However, this virtual realm is not just a visual delight; Grouchy_Bluejay4511 has taken it a step further by packing it with more than 50 quests and a diverse cast of over 100 unique characters. What’s even more exciting is that players can take the reins of any city, enabling them to embark on a journey to conquer and control the entire Skyrim landscape.
Skyrim Fan Creates an Incredible Custom Scenario for Age of Empires 2
If you’ve been around the gaming block for a while, you’ll remember that Microsoft and Ensemble Studios first dropped Age of Empires 2 back in 1999. It’s considered by many strategy game enthusiasts to be one of the all-time greats, and guess what? It’s still going strong today.
A big part of its enduring popularity is thanks to not one but two re-releases in 2013 and 2019, both spiced up with extra DLC. But what really keeps the fire alive is the vibrant Age of Empires 2 community, with players cooking up all sorts of fan-made scenarios. You’ve got your classic real-time strategy battles, funky isometric RPGs, and even some wild mash-ups of the two.
So, enter Reddit user Grouchy_Bluejay4511, who decided to turn their dreams into a reality in Age of Empires 2. In their version, you get to rule over one of Skyrim‘s nine Holds and engage in epic battles while juggling quests and bumping into a bunch of NPCs. Oh, and the map?
It’s nothing short of impressive, covering every nook and cranny of Skyrim and even stretching out into Solstheim. You can visit all the cities and major landmarks you know and love, but in an entirely different game.
Grouchy_Bluejay4511 didn’t just create this masterpiece; they also documented their work through a series of Reddit posts. It’s mind-blowing to see how they managed to squeeze Skyrim into Age of Empires 2’s scenario creator. Take Whiterun, for example. The layout is pretty close to the real thing.
Dragonsreach? It’s there, decked out using Age of Empires 2’s Viking Wonder. And the stable, market, barracks, and blacksmith? Yep, exactly where they should be. The fortifications around Whiterun’s main gate? They’ve used a castle to represent it, with a chapel standing in for the two temples. Fans are in for a treat with details like the Gildergreen, Shrine of Talos, Skyforge, and essential NPCs represented by various units.
The attention to detail doesn’t stop there. Other locations are equally packed with creativity, as they’ve cleverly used Age of Empires 2’s building assets to mimic Skyrim’s unique architectural styles. Scroll through their first Reddit post, and you’ll see the Throat of the World and villages like Helgen, Riverun, and Ivarstead. These give you a taste of the vast scale of the map.
Plus, you can spot Age of Empires 2 versions of Markarth, Rifton, Solitude, and Windhelm. The second post reveals Castle Volkihar, something reminiscent of Fort Dawnguard, Eastmarch, Winterhold, Lake Ilinalta in Falkreath Hold, Raven Rock, and even an Orc Stronghold.
The second post might be fresh off the press at the time of writing, and it hasn’t quite caught the gaming world’s eye just yet.
But the first post? It went viral on the subreddit. So, what’s next? Well, Grouchy_Bluejay4511 has big plans to share their Skyrim scenario on Steam as a mod for Age of Empires 2: Definitive Edition.
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