One of the most celebrated real-time strategy games in history, Age of Empires, is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. In recognition of the award-winning game, Microsoft is remastering it as Age of Empires: Definitive Edition, which is expected to launch at some point later this year.

Microsoft announced Age of Empires: Definitive Edition at E3 2017 during the PC Gaming Show press conference. Instead of just slapping a fresh coat of paint on the game and calling it a day, it sounds like Age of Empires: Definitive Edition will be a full-fledged remaster, with 4K resolution graphics and online multiplayer that will utilize Xbox Live's servers.

Age of Empires: Definitive Edition will also have more "zoom levels," so players can get different views of the action. Furthermore, it is also boasting a fully remastered soundtrack and "new and improved gameplay," mainly through a modernized UI. Other ways Age of Empires: Definitive Edition may be improving on the gameplay of the original release have not been revealed at this time, but more details on that front should come over the next few months.

While a concrete release date for Age of Empires: Definitive Edition hasn't been nailed down quite yet, fans should have an opportunity to play the game before launch. As it turns out, Age of Empires: Definitive Edition will have a multiplayer beta at some point in the near future, with fans able to sign up through the game's official website right now.

At the time of this writing, the Age of Empires website appears to be down, perhaps due to an overload of traffic. If that's the case, it seems as though PC RTS fans are excited at the opportunity to revisit one of the genre's most revered games with updated visuals and gameplay features.

So far, the reception to Age of Empires: Definitive Edition seems to be overwhelmingly positive, so here's hoping Microsoft can stick the landing and deliver an experience that lives up to the legacy of the original game.

Age of Empires: Definitive Edition will launch later this year for PC.