If the game won't launch, try running it in Windows XP (Service Pack 3) compatibility mode. The Verdict
Extract the contents and replace the Emperor.exe and the DATA folder in your game directory.
Unlike Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition , there is no official HD remake of Emperor . The HD mod is a labor of love created by modders using tools like d3d9.dll wrappers, wined3d , and custom .exe patches. It is 100% free but requires the original game files.