Key Takeaways
1. Age of Empires IV, released in 2021, is the first new game in the series since 2005, developed by Relic Entertainment.
2. The game features four historical campaigns and ten unique civilizations, enhancing strategic gameplay and historical narratives.
3. A major free update, the Anniversary Edition, released on October 25, 2022, added two civilizations, new maps, and various gameplay improvements.
4. While the game stays true to its real-time strategy roots, some players criticized its graphics and lack of certain features, yet it received generally positive reviews.
5. Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition is priced around $40 on Steam but is currently available for $14 due to a 65% discount, and it is compatible with the Steam Deck.
Age of Empires is a timeless real-time strategy series that captivated players in the late 1990s. Despite a few remastered versions, there hadn’t been a true new game since 2005. This changed in 2021 with the release of Age of Empires IV, crafted by Relic Entertainment, known for other RTS favorites like Company of Heroes and Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War. The anticipation for this fourth game was significant, and it did not disappoint.
A Blend of History and Strategy
Age of Empires IV enhances the features of earlier games with a compelling mix of historical narrative and strategic complexity. Players can experience four campaigns that highlight pivotal events from the Middle Ages, such as The Rise of the Normans, The Hundred Years’ War, The Mongol Empire, and The Rise of Muscovy. The German gaming magazine PCGames acknowledged this in their review, stating that the campaigns are both tough and informative, boosted by documentary-style cutscenes that animate history. With ten unique civilizations, including the English, Chinese, and Abbasids, the game provides vast strategic options. Each faction has its own special abilities; for example, the Mongols can create mobile bases, while the Delhi Sultanate benefits from free research upgrades.
Major Free Update
On October 25, 2022, the Anniversary Edition of Age of Empires IV was released as a significant free update. This version introduced an abundance of new features and enhancements, adding two more civilizations—the Ottomans and the Malians—along with fresh maps, challenges, master-level missions, and improvements to language support and the interface. This edition has now taken the place of the original version and serves as the default for players.
Gameplay and Reception
The gameplay of Age of Empires IV remains faithful to its real-time strategy origins: gather resources, construct your base, and command your armies in conflicts. PCGames mentioned that it closely resembles the gameplay of Age of Empires II, which is likely to please long-time fans of the franchise. Nevertheless, the game faced some backlash. Some players found the graphics to be a bit outdated, and useful features like auto-scouting and a global production overview were absent. Players also expressed a desire for more innovation, such as a diplomacy system. Despite these issues, the game received a warm welcome overall. On Steam, approximately 85,000 users have reviewed it, with 84% giving it a thumbs up. Critics on Metacritic rated it at 86, while the User Score stands at 8.6. PCGames rated it 8 out of 10, and GameStar scored it 87 out of 100, labeling it an “absolute real-time strategy hit.”
Pricing and Compatibility
Typically, Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition is priced around $40 on Steam, but it’s currently available for 65% off until October 6, dropping the cost to about $14—this is the lowest price recorded, according to SteamDB. For those interested in playing on a handheld device, this offer is even more enticing: Steam indicates that the game is compatible with the Steam Deck, which is priced at $420 on Amazon.
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