Age of Empires IV

Age of Empires 4 is a bold and ambitious evolution of the series, and quite likely one of the best RTS games ever made.

A triumphant return for the strategy series, and well worth the wait.

I would not hesitate to recommend any RTS fan purchase this ASAP… the price is high… but this is unquestionably a title that earns the triple A moniker… you can really see the money invested in the production values and the polish. Even if you are just a history fan with a passing interest in gaming, I’d still say this is a must buy for the exceptional documentary videos throughout. I’d keep raving about it… but I have to mount my horse and fend off another attack on my castle!

Age of Empires IV isn’t something strictly for fans, there’s no accrued history you need to know before jumping in. It does however feel like a natural extension of Age of Empires II’s brilliance -- and for that does feel like the return of something great. What you’ve got here is a modern progression of the age-old, well, Age of Empires formula with all of the style and depth you could hope for. As a foundation for more campaigns, more maps, and more of everything to come it’s exciting. The documentary approach to the four campaigns on offer is not only a winner, but a confident step forward for the series. Historical warfare with an eye toward the educational. Age of Empires IV is not only one of the very best slices of real-time strategy gaming, period, it’s a candidate for best game of 2021.

Age of Empires helped define an entire genre, and under the steady hand of RTS masters Relic Entertainment, it may once again wear that crown -- Age of Empires IV is that good.

Age of Empires IV is a dream-come-true for all the fans of the franchise. It has everything we wanted, most of the things we hoped for, it is accessible to newcomers and challenging to the veterans. It is built with great attention to detail and obvious passion. If we sift the game through the finest sieve, we will find some issues here and there, mostly in graphical elements and in the slight hesitation of the devs to be innovative. We will do so, though, since we always ask for the best we can have and Relic is the one who can make it happen.

Age of Empires 4 is the perfect mix of old and new and I really think the legions of fans who’ve been waiting ever so patiently for 16 years for a new entry in this storied franchise will find much to love here.

Those expecting a revolution may be disappointed, but Age of Empires IV is still a confident, deep, and hugely compelling return.

Age of Empires 4 is an exemplary return of the great series to its roots and an excellent basis for future additions.

Age of Empires IV feels like some necessary fresh air that manages to maintain the essence of the classics without too much innovation. At the same time, it is actually a step forward towards what the community has been asking for in the last few years. The series is back with the utmost care by Relic Entertainment, displaying a commendable work like not many others. AOE is back once again.

Age of Empires 4 is a game that you will never get tired from playing, regardless of whether you're an old-school fan or a rookie. There are always new plans to follow and new strategies to take into account and it's worth the 16 year wait.

Age of Empire IV is everything a fan of the series could wish for: it renews the formula without overdoing it and respecting the past, it offers four unforgettable campaigns and the multiplayer is bound to shine. Welcome Back AOE!

A few months ago, Humankind was presented as a candidate to become the benchmark of turn-based strategy for the next few years. Now, with a similar love for the story, but with a different tone, Age of Empires IV arrives to reposition the franchise in the Olympus of RTS. A title that knows how to pick up and update the essence of the saga, and that is the basis of a resurgence that seems to have a long life ahead of it. If you like the genre, clear your diaries.

Age of Empires IV is, in almost every way, a true sequel to Age of Empires II. It plays great and has a few new features that add more tactical elements to combat and how you develop your faction. On factions, it truly allows them to differentiate themselves from each other. There are slight issues, such as the population cap that feels very restrictive and the lower-quality of unit models, but these are minor in what is an otherwise outstanding game, and one where an undeniable amount of effort and work has gone into - which includes hours of documentary-style clips to support the campaign.

Age of Empires IV is everything fans want and more. The great return of the RTS series is phenomenal

The overall performance of Age of Empires IV is very steady, retaining some of the classic design of the series, but also adding some improvements that speed up the pace of the game. The new documentary cutscene is an excellent attempt, and the fully evolved sound and graphics performance makes the battlefield more immersive.

Age of Empires IV makes a safe bet putting all in on series' classic gameplay, with some new things here and there, but not risking a cent. If you're an all time fan of AoE you'll enjoy it for sure, but if you were one of those waiting for a revolution on the series, or at least a step forward, here you won't find it.

A solid campaign and endless customization for single-player, co-op and online play, Age of Empires IV deserves a ton of credit for making turn-based strategy a treat to play.

Despite some relatively minor issues, especially in the graphical compartment, Age of Empires IV is an excellent new chapter in the history of one of the most beloved RTS sagas. Relic Entertainment and World's Edge kept true to the roots of the series while at the same time not forgetting to innovate the formula in interesting and creative ways.

A well-crafted and complete title, capable of offering exactly what one expects from a modern RTS. While it has some weak points, like simplifying some of the series' core micromanagement, in the end it offers a solid experience which should not go unnoticed by fans of the genre.

Age of Empires 4 brings classic real-time strategy back in top form, but misses the chance for a rousing campaign.

Age of Empires IV won't shake the videogame world as much as its famed predecessors once did, but it's still a quality production from Relic Entertainment and a worthy addition to a legendary series of strategy games.

There's really not much to complain about here. The AI isn't perfect, but other than that, Age of Empires IV is a return to the old glory of the franchise, with deep and challenging gameplay that will keep you playing for a really long time.

So Age of Empires IV is well put together and polished to high hell. I wish that something new had been done to bring the RTS genre that has been sitting more or less idle for a decade or so into the modern era, but you can’t have everything, and I suspect that more stuff like a map editor will be added in the future. Beyond that, with the recently released AOE2 Definitive Edition, that title, now 22 years old and $30 cheaper, already comes with a map editor that AOE4 lacks, and roughly a trillion player-made maps, and is probably the better bargain for your gaming dollar, especially if somehow you never got around to playing it previously.

Age of Empires IV does have it’s rough edges, especially regarding specific control and comfort options. Map editor and mod support are also still missing. But apart from that it’s already a very entertaining package with eight very different factions, nice mission design ideas, thrilling multiplayer and great insights for history enthusiasts.

Age of Empires IV is a solid RTS. It's fun, it's challenging, and it has a promising future. This is because the base is Age of Empires II, a mythical title that remains unsurpassed after so many years. Hopefully this greatness can be replicated, and in the future, Age of Empires IV will be seen as the cornerstone to advance into a new era.

Almost every element of the new Age of Empires made me remember how much fun RTS games used to be back in the day. I've played the remastered trilogy in recent years, but Relic's fresh approach has kept me up several nights trying to win potentially impossible battles against three enemies at once. And it's probably that enjoyment and the ability to lose myself in my favorite game that matters most to me.

Age of Empires IV is just what you would expect from it: It has a lot of content, game modes, and that addictive element that keeps you playing non-stop. The game doesn't offer many innovations, but they aren't necessary: the new, fresh, and modern presentation is just an excuse to enjoy this franchise once again.

Age of Empires 4 is a game that wants to do many things and has found the right compromise to do them all well.

With this new chapter, Age of Empires proves to be in good shape. We have an excellent foundation on which to build a strong RTS for years to come.

AoE 4 manages to modernise the series and be as fun as ever with a great new entry, even if it doesn’t reach the excellence of the classics.

Age of Empires 4 is a real-time strategy game of a scale we haven't seen in years. While it doesn't revolutionize the genre or the license, it does give them an excellent modern representative. The execution is almost flawless, the content is satisfying, the handling is fast, and the gameplay is satisfying. Novices and veterans alike should find something to enjoy, whether playing single or multiplayer. There is even an educational aspect, which helps to renew the interest and the look of battles and wars that we have already followed, or even fought in other games. Apart from a few minor flaws, as is often the case with very good games, we would simply have liked to have more.

Age of Empires IV is fun, well executed slice of real-time strategy that doesn't quite bring anything new to the table.

Age of Empires IV is another good example of the kind of strategy we miss. There are some technical problems in the game, but it's a really successful production.

Despite the fact that it's looking in the rearview mirror at least as much as it's looking forward, there's no denying that Age of Empires IV captures the addictive gameplay and mechanical accessibility of the earlier games in the franchise. It looks great, if not entirely new, and the flow of building, combat, research, and resource management is enjoyable as always. The documentary-style campaigns are engaging and immersive. What holds Age of Empires IV at arm's length from masterpiece status is its determination not to rock the boat, its slightly underwhelming feature set at launch, and some very minor annoyances from previous titles that really should be a thing of the past. Will I be digging deep into Age of Empires IV? Absolutely.

The real-time strategy genre remains relevant, fueled by a few big titles once in a while. While Age of Empires IV lacks any ambition to even gently jostle the standards set by Age of Empires II decades earlier, it’s a good way to play a classic-feeling RTS today with some slick polish and panache.

Quotation forthcoming.

A very decent sequel of a great series that builds up on its legacy rather than dramatically changing it. Enjoy eight very different experiences for each playable nation as you go through their most significant historical periods in great detail.

The controls are so smooth and intuitive that you can join the battle effortlessly. The multiplayer mode provides endless opportunities to play and keep playing, and the solo campaign is accompanied by well-made and interesting videos. If our teachers had made history lessons as engaging as Age of Empires IV, we’re sure we would have paid better attention.

This is basically Age of Empires II modernized and with asymmetrical factions - and it’s great. The mistakes it makes are relatively minor and can be fixed, the exception being a weird, narrative-breaking choice of framing the campaigns in the style of a documentary film.

Age of Empires IV delivers an absolute feast for strategy fans, offering several gameplay modes, a beautifully crafted story campaign, and stunning visuals. It may not come with a ground-breaking overhaul when it comes to its gameplay mechanics, but it does stay true to the tried and tested classic gameplay formula, which is sure to delight both old and new fans of the franchise.

Fans who have been waiting for more Age of Empires or a good RTS that doesn’t feel like it had to be developed on a shoestring budget will find what they're looking for in Age of Empires IV.

Age of Empires IV is a simple, pleasurable game that rewards developing high skill but does not require it to push and learn your way through.

Quotation forthcoming.

Overall, Age of Empires definitely brings enough to the table and captures enough nostalgia to make it an easy recommendation for any fans of the franchise or the genre. For gamers new to RTS, the Story Mode and campaigns actually make it a very strong choice for diving in as well, as long as they aren’t expecting cutting-edge graphics. The fact that the game is going to be available on Game Pass Day One could potentially help expose a large new audience to the franchise and build up some new fans. It will be very interesting to see what kind of reception it receives and, if its successful, what sort of post-launch content could arrive in the coming year to keep the community hooked and engaged.

If it is not free from flaws, Age of Empires IV is nonetheless a very good RTS and a very good episode of the license. By offering more verticality to players and interesting tactical choices brought by civilizations with more marked personalities, Relic Entertainment is bringing back the AoE license in a very nice way. Hopefully the pathfinding and AI concerns raised in this test - and by the players during the beta phases - will be quickly resolved, because it is only there that it will reach its full potential. Still, as it stands, AoE IV is an episode worth seeing, especially for its exciting campaigns.

Age of Empires 4 is clearly not a bad RTS. Considering the constant drought in the genre, the game is probably the best that could have happened for fans at the moment. However we wish the developers would have shown more courage. In the end the game is too similar to Age of Empires 2, it goes the safety route, not risking to do something wrong. And all of that without ever reaching the same atmosphere or charm that made the second entry so great. It is hard to think of reasons why a player who still has a lot of fun with the Definitive Edition of Age 2 should switch to this game. But whoever gets drawn by the small improvements like the new wall system or the gameplay differences between the civilizations can look forward to a great RTS package with many hours of fun.

Age of Empires 4 does more than play purely on nostalgia. It's a meticulous follow-up to the original trilogy with a range of options to tailor your RTS experience to your taste. Will it herald the comeback of the genre? No, it's not exceptional, remarkable, or innovative enough for that. It does satisfy the hunger of keyboard-mouse strategists that have been treated too stepmotherly.

In short, Age of Empires IV is first and foremost a throwback to the past, for a history lesson that we already know well. Anchored to the classic formulas and mechanics of the franchise that defined the genre, it bets on presentation quality to convince a new generation of real-time strategy game lovers. Veterans, on the other hand, have here a new battleground where they will certainly feel at home.

Age of Empires IV is an excellent return for the series and it feels like a base from which the series can grow again. I really hope future expansions follow the same model, coming packaged with well-produced documentaries, and with a similar focus of following the history of the period. Though, hopefully we'll see the team lean more into the special abilities and faction bonuses that are teased at in this base game.

Age of Empires IV makes up for the misstep of the third game while providing fans of the first two with everything they could have hoped for in a 2021 version. Hours will go by and you won’t even know it, which is the way RTS titles should be.

Age of Empires IV is clearly a very good strategy game, which should not disappoint fans of the franchise. With its graphical renewal, the focus on History and its very good artistic direction, we have in our hands a good entry of Age of Empires. However, we may regret that the game is a bit too academic and without any real risk. But still, Age of Empires IV is a very good game.

Age of Empires 4 has some technical issues, but they don't change the fact that this is a really good game. The campaign is interesting - I felt that the developers have made AoE4 with respect to its predecessors and still have managed to introduce some changes.

The strategic polish of two decades is on display in Age of Empires 4, both in the history of this series and the pedigree of the developer. Relic has wrapped an interesting if slightly flawed single player experience around what is a superb strategy game. You’ll probably know if you want to play this one, but if you just think medieval warfare is pretty cool and you really like the centuries where England and France just kept invading each other, I recommend you put aside any fears of fast clicking and micromanagement and just jumping in, just avoid that multiplayer menu until you are absolutely ready.

Newcomers may find it overwhelming, or slightly slow going in the early stages, but the campaign offers a great introduction to the genre, and the building blocks of Age of Empires. Don’t be surprised if you sit down to play a quick game, and then suddenly look at the clock to find that 3 hours have passed, your tea has gone cold, and the army that you’ve been meticulously building has been wiped by a garrison of archers you completely missed.

Age of Empires 4 is as multifaceted as the events it depicts. It’s more ambitious than other AoE games in handling its content and inspirations, but also far more reserved in changing the fundamentals. There’s no need to change what works already, though a few additional gameplay flourishes could have helped AoE 4 feel more fresh and exciting. The campaigns are robust, but the missing content stands out in its absence. That’s especially true considering Age of Empires 4 is a full-priced release, though being on Game Pass makes it a more appealing prospect. What’s here is still more than enough to be getting on with, but lIke any good strategist, World’s Edge is planning ahead for the long game.

Polishing a classic formula without revolutionising it, this is a robust package that includes something for just about every kind of RTS player, from beginners to grizzled veterans.

Age of Empires 4 is an enjoyable RTS throwback that often plays it too safe, but excels when it doesn't.

Age of Empires IV marks the Year 0 of a new era for the saga. Relic and World's Edge used the second chapter as a founding stone to build a new iteration which is half nostalgic and half innovative, shuffling the cards but never too much, creating a game that is appealing for both hardcore fans and complete newcomers. It might have some flaws, but it's really hard to imagine a better fourth episode.

There's a lot to love about Age of Empires IV. It's clear the developers have listened to the community in creating a game that feels both fresh yet faithful to the franchise. It has tried to combine the best elements of all previous games in the series and, largely, it has succeeded in doing so. Its small pool of factions may be a problem for some, and its camera issues need addressing, but in the grand scheme of things, this is an excellent entry into the RTS space. Is Age of Empires IV the best Age of Empires game to date? For me, it doesn't quite knock Age of Empires II Definitive Edition off the top spot, but regardless, this modern entry has undoubtedly been well worth the wait.

Age of Empires IV is a brand new, wide open door to the licence. The game adds new layers of epicness, but it strike somewhere between the hardcore fan who might not find everything he likes and the more casual gamer that maybe won't be attracted by its clacissim. It's a great game, just make sure it's for you.

An engrossing tapestry of warfare and scheming throughout the ages, Age Of Empires 4 firmly secures its position as a must-play for strategy fans. Full of sandbox-fuelled drama and interesting campaigns, the game captures the sweeping and costly scale of warfare in a way that few titles manage.

Age of Empires 4 is a deeply enjoyable return for the series. It puts history front and centre, and opts to refresh its gameplay instead of reinvent it. That may not be enough for some. Then again, when you’ve got a series that’s remained the base template for RTS games for more than twenty years, who can blame them?

It's that safety in embracing the past that represents Age of Empires 4's most obvious flaw. In many ways, it plays and feels like the game is simply Age of Empires 2 with a very well applied fresh coat of paint. Love letter or no, between the rough issues with the campaign and the reuse of the multiplayer, it feels more like a remaster of an older game than of a new entry into the series. It is not easy to please fans of the long-running franchise while also attempting to attract new ones to it, and Age of Empires 4 finds itself in a strange no-man's land between those two goals.

Age of Empires IV is an old school RTS that should be comfortable for returning players and accessible to newcomers. A bigger focus on historical campaigns is enjoyable, alongside great Skirmish and multiplayer modes.

A worthy new entry in the legendary series that’s equal parts progressive and dated.

Making Age of Empires IV a modern RTS without betraying the franchise's origins hasn't been an easy task for Relic Entertainment. While some players may blame the lack of risk taking, it must be recognized that disrupting the original gameplay could also have been taken badly. We are therefore dealing with an "Age of" classic in substance, but renewed in form.

Age of Empires 4 is a mixed bag for fans of the franchise. For Age of Empires 2 fans, this is an excellent, true sequel. For fans of Age of Empires 3 however, the gameplay might feel too slow and the diversity in troops is too low. History nuts can enjoy themselves with the campaign, but don't expect a challenge. If you are looking for a classic RTS however, Age of Empires 4 is a fine pick.

Age of Empires 4 isn’t a bad game at all. I had a lot of fun with it. Its biggest problem is that it plays it too safe. It wants to capture the success of Age of Empires 2 so much that it never really gained an identity of its own. I hope that in the future, the devs take the asymmetrical civilizations further and focus on mechanics that evolve the Age of Empires franchise. There’s a solid foundation here, and if built in the right direction, it could lead to something special. For now, it’s too old school for its own good.

Weaving a tried and true gameplay style with a historic documentary twist, Age of Empires IV reminds us not only how great the series once was, but how much better it can be going forward. Bringing back the excitement of real-time strategy, it keeps both the past and the future in mind - and with that, World’s Edge and Relic Entertainment have created an experience that fans of the original games will love, that is also accessible to newcomers of the series as well.

Age of Empires 4 does a lot well, building from the roots of the AoE franchise. Fans of the original games will find the improved graphics to be welcome and the gameplay to maintain the same fast-paced feel. History buffs will also find themselves delighted by the historical campaigns and the changing art style of the buildings as they progress through the ages. The only real downsides are the ease with which you can lose your rhythm, and the almost mandatory use of hotkeys in multiplayer due to bad pathfinding and unit AI.

Age of Empires 4 is based on a solid foundation created way back during the last millennium, but it suffers from a plethora of annoying little flaws and drawbacks. Some of them will be fixed with patches and maybe future DLCs, if we’re lucky, but even then, it’s a far cry from the stellar Age of Empires 2.

It's a quality RTS, then - though a few irritations sour the experience. [Issue#366, p.114]

I’ve enjoyed my time with Age of Empires 4 quite a bit, and I’d recommend it to any Age fan. But I wouldn’t do so without a few important caveats. Age of Empires 4 may finally be available after 16 years, but it hasn't arrived just yet. There are still resources to gather and troops to assemble.

Age of Empires IV is a satisfying game, but its more innovative ideas are overshadowed by a gameplay formula that rarely deviates from the revered legacy of Age of Empires II. Dated graphics, annoying AI, and a thin selection of content holds Age of Empires IV back from establishing an RTS kingdom that can stand the test of time, but thrilling campaigns, a passion for history, and factions that feel truly distinct from one another makes for satisfying RTS comfort feud.

A highly competent but disappointingly unambitious real-time strategy that fails to move either the genre or the Age Of Empires franchise forward.

It’s certainly a competently-designed RTS. Thanks to unique units, buildings and technologies, playing around with each civilisation is fun and offers a different experience each time. Unfortunately, with it feeling so similar to Age of Empires 2 but with many stripped down features, it’s extremely difficult for me to recommend spending £50 on this when you can grab Age of Empires 2: Definitive Edition for £15. Maybe it will be better after some updates, but right now it’s just reminding me of better games.

Age of Empires IV is a worthy return of an iconic series, but is difficult to recommend over older remastered entries. Newer players, and some returning ones, may find use of its new gameplay features but will probably end up scrapping them as they grow more experienced.

Basically, it’s an Age of Empires II remake. Why would Microsoft remake a game that was re-released as recently as 2019? That’s beyond us. [Issue#257, p.58]

I understand that Microsoft and Xbox Game Studios would have been worried about Age of Empires III-style backlash, but they’ve gone too far to avoid it this time...Considering many casual RTS fans see Age of Empires as one of the stalwarts of the genre, and would return to play the game just for its fourth release, to see a new riff on the franchise’s 1999 title will disappoint many. I have the highest of hopes for the title ⁠— AOE II is, of course, a testament to how strong the series can be ⁠— but Microsoft has a lot of work to do to make Age of Empires IV its own beast.

Both longtime RTS fans and Age of Empires vets will find things to love here, a comfy if well-worn tactician’s armchair to slip into, spiffed up, and with a few shining surprises stuffed down the sides. But it all comes at such a premium, and with campaigns geared so heavily as tutorials for the multiplayer, it’s hard to wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone not already invested.

Age of Empires 4 is a safe new entry in the classic series. It is both nicer and bigger than before, but at the same time characterized by an extremely familiar feeling. The various playable civilizations are the triumph of the game, but the inherited problems from the rts genre as a whole do create some irritation.

Age of Empires IV is fundamentally a true AoE game, but sadly, it's very little else. There are no bold chances taken here, no great additions or revolutionary changes. And that, after so many years, is disappointing.