Can the original "Age of Empires 2" be played in two-player mode, so I can play against a friend (and a few computer-driven societies)?

Solution 1:

According to the website, Age of Empires II: Age of Kings supports multiplayer through both wireless and LAN. There is a place in the main menu called Lobbies, and from there you can either create a lobby or join your friend's lobby, and add as many computer players as you want from the game.

You can also join online wireless lobbies through this website.