Buying the game once on the Microsoft Store allows you to play on both PC and Xbox console.

While a permanent, full version of is not officially available for free , you can legally play it through Xbox Game Pass , time-limited Free Weekends on Steam , or by downloading the official Free Trial .

Steam periodically hosts where you can download and play the full game for a few days. Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition - Xbox

You get a fixed set of 8–10 civilizations, plus a weekly rotation of others to try for free.

The classic 1999 version is no longer sold, but its legacy lives on through fan-revivals and official modern remasters. Here is a comprehensive guide on how to play Age of Empires II without paying full price. 1. The Official Free Trial (Limited Access)

If you have an subscription (for PC or Console), the full Definitive Edition is included at no extra cost.