Age of Empires IV

🔥 What is Age of Empires IV?

Age of Empires IV is a real-time strategy (RTS) game developed by Relic Entertainment and published by Xbox Game Studios. Released in October 2021, it is the fourth major installment in the iconic Age of Empires series. The game transports players to pivotal moments in history, spanning from the Dark Ages to the Renaissance, offering a rich blend of historical storytelling and strategic gameplay. With its focus on base-building, resource management, and epic battles, Age of Empires IV stays true to its roots while introducing modern enhancements.

👉 Features of Age of Empires IV

1. Diverse Civilizations
The game features eight distinct civilizations, including the English, French, Mongols, Chinese, Rus, Abbasid Dynasty, Delhi Sultanate, and Holy Roman Empire. Each civilization has unique strengths, weaknesses, and playstyles, allowing players to tailor their strategies to their preferences.

2. Historical Campaigns
Age of Empires IV includes four detailed campaigns with 35 missions that explore key historical events like the Norman Conquest, the Hundred Years’ War, and the rise of Moscow. These campaigns are both educational and engaging, enhanced by 4K cinematic footage and expert narration.

3. Strategic Depth
The game emphasizes strategic decision-making through its rock-paper-scissors combat system and map control mechanics. Players can build defensive structures like walls or deploy high-tech artillery in later stages to dominate opponents.

4. Progression Through Ages
Players advance through four historical ages Dark Age, Feudal Age, Castle Age, and Imperial Age unlocking new technologies and units along the way. Each civilization progresses uniquely, adding variety to gameplay.

5. Visuals and Accessibility
The game features detailed 3D architecture and dynamic landscapes that enhance immersion. It also includes tutorials for newcomers while offering enough complexity to satisfy veteran players.

Gameplay

In Age of Empires IV, players start with a small settlement in the Dark Age and work their way toward building a thriving empire. Gameplay revolves around gathering resources (food, wood, gold, stone), constructing buildings, training armies, and engaging in tactical battles. Players must balance economic growth with military expansion while adapting to their opponents’ strategies.

Each civilization offers unique units and bonuses that influence gameplay. For example, the Mongols are highly mobile due to their nomadic nature, while the English excel at defensive strategies with powerful longbowmen. The game’s AI challenges players with dynamic scenarios that require careful planning and micromanagement.

Pros and Cons

✔️ Pros

• Diverse Civilizations: Unique playstyles ensure replayability and strategic variety.
• Historical Campaigns: Engaging missions with educational value.
• Strategic Depth: Balanced combat mechanics and tactical options.
• Visuals: Stunning architecture and landscapes enhance immersion.
• Accessibility: Tutorials make it easy for newcomers to learn the game.

❌ Cons

• Limited Innovation: The game relies heavily on familiar mechanics from previous installments without significant new features.
• AI Issues: Unit AI can be unreliable at times, requiring excessive micromanagement during battles.
• Population Cap: A limited population cap may restrict large-scale battles for some players.
• Graphics Discrepancies: While buildings are beautifully detailed, character models can feel disproportionate.

Age of Empires IV is a masterful RTS that combines nostalgia with modern enhancements. While it may not reinvent the genre, its engaging campaigns, diverse civilizations, and strategic depth make it a must-play for fans of historical strategy games.