AOE2 Won't Start SteamAPI_RestartAppIfNecessary()

Hello all, I recently reinstalled my copy of AOE2 from steam. I cannot get the game to launch. I have tried; -Launch options, NOSTARTUP and SKIPINTRO -deleting the opening video files -renaming the launcher fix -turning off antivirus -re-downloading AOE2 and steam -verify integrity of game files

Every time I start the game directly from the launcher I get the "SteamAPI_RestartAppIfNecessary() has been triggered. Aborting startup." message. So far none of the above fixes work. any ideas?