9 /10 24

Age of Empires IV marks the franchise’s resurgence after nearly two decades, delivering a surprisingly traditionalist entry that respects the series’ foundation while introducing refined mechanics for contemporary audiences. With an 84 Metacritic score and Universal acclaim for its production quality, historical campaigns, and polished gameplay, this RTS succeeds where recent strategy games have struggled: it balances accessibility with depth. The game introduces eight unique civilizations, each playing distinctly different, alongside four historically-themed campaigns narrated with live-action documentary segments. Players will discover why both RTS veterans and newcomers find themselves invested in mastering the game’s intricate economy, tech trees, and diverse unit compositions.

How to Play Age of Empires IV

Age of Empires IV follows classic RTS conventions: gather resources (food, wood, stone, gold), build structures, advance through ages, and crush opponents through military superiority. The game emphasizes economic efficiency and unit counters over mechanical execution, making it more forgiving than StarCraft while rewarding strategic planning.

1. Controls – Keyboard and mouse dominate, though PS5 now supports redesigned controller layouts with intelligent automation, radial menus, and simplified tactical commands
2. Progression – Players advance through four distinct ages (Dark, Feudal, Castle, Imperial), unlocking new units, buildings, and technologies with each transition
3. Combat/Mechanics – Core gameplay revolves around the rock-paper-scissors unit triangle: archers beat infantry, cavalry decimates archers, spearmen counter cavalry. Civilization bonuses and unique units break this symmetry strategically
4. Tips – Master villager management and don’t rush military buildouts; learn map control through market positioning and defensive structures before engaging enemies

Who Should Play Age of Empires IV

Age of Empires IV caters to historical strategy enthusiasts, competitive RTS players returning from retirement, and newcomers intimidated by StarCraft’s mechanical demands. The game’s difficulty scales intelligently, campaigns offer 20-40 hours of engaging single-player content, and multiplayer ranks from casual skirmish to ranked 1v1 competition.

• Campaign Lovers – Four historically-inspired campaigns (Norman Conquest, Hundred Years War, Mongol Expansion, Sultans of Delhi) with live-action narration and well-paced mission design across 35 total scenarios
• Competitive Multiplayer Players – Ranked ladder with seasonal rotations, MMR-based matchmaking, and ranked season rewards ensure long-term replayability and esports potential
• Casual Skirmish Enthusiasts – Dynamic map generation with multiple biomes (winter, desert, tropical) and The Crucible roguelite mode provide endless single-player variety without pressure
• Skip if – You demand bleeding-edge mechanical complexity (StarCraft) or prefer turn-based strategy over real-time micro-management

Age of Empires IV Platform Performance

Age of Empires IV runs exceptionally well across platforms. The PlayStation 5 version, launching November 2025, achieves 4K dynamic resolution at 60 frames per second with a complete UI redesign for controller support. Console versions trade some graphical settings for accessibility, while PC scales from integrated graphics to 4K ultra specifications.

Age of Empires IV System Requirements

PC requirements remain modest by 2025 standards, enabling play on integrated graphics at reduced settings while supporting ultra-settings on high-end machines. The 50GB installation footprint reflects detailed campaigns and map variety without excessive bloat.

Similar Games to Age of Empires IV

Strategic-minded players gravitating toward Age of Empires IV should explore these comparable titles, each offering distinct approaches to real-time warfare and empire building. The genre remains niche but passionate, with these alternatives filling different niches within strategy gaming.

• StarCraft 2 – Futuristic RTS with unparalleled mechanical depth and esports pedigree; significantly more demanding mechanically but rewarding for dedicated players
• Total War: Warhammer III – Turn-based strategy hybrid blending tactical battles with grand strategy; fantasy setting appeals to those seeking departure from historical settings
• Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition – The 1999 classic remastered with modern visuals; still boasts more civilizations (27+) and arguably superior campaign design despite archaic UI
• Company of Heroes 3 – Smaller-scale squad-based RTS emphasizing tactical positioning and unit veterancy; lower resource management barrier than traditional RTS

Age of Empires IV vs Competitors

Age of Empires IV occupies middle ground between StarCraft’s unforgiving complexity and turn-based alternatives. Its 84 Metacritic score reflects strong execution and accessibility without sacrificing depth. The game prioritizes strategic decision-making over mechanical execution, attracting lapsed RTS players and new audiences simultaneously.

Age of Empires IV Story and World

The game’s four campaigns weave historical narratives with stunning cinematic presentation. The Norman Campaign follows William the Conqueror’s 1066 invasion of England, complete with live-action HBO-quality footage from real locations and reconstructed castles. Subsequent campaigns explore the Hundred Years War, Mongol invasions, and Delhi Sultanate rise. Rather than sanitizing history, the game presents genuine political motivations and consequences through first-person perspectives of historical figures. Documentary narration by credible historians grounds each mission in authentic context, transforming what could be mere skirmish scenarios into emotionally resonant historical moments. The cinematic approach sets Age of Empires IV apart from competitors who rely purely on in-engine storytelling.

Age of Empires IV Multiplayer and Online

Multiplayer underpins long-term engagement through ranked ladder systems, seasonal content, and community-driven competition. The infrastructure supports both hardcore competitive esports aspirations and casual weekend skirmish enjoyment without forcing players into either category.

• Ranked 1v1 – Competitive ladder with seasonal map rotations, MMR-based matchmaking, and ranked season rewards; new maps rotate quarterly to force meta evolution
• Team Modes – 2v2, 3v3, 4v4 cooperative multiplayer with balanced team maps emphasizing communication and coordinated army positioning
• Skirmish Mode – Solo or cooperative play against AI across 17 base maps with difficulty scaling and customizable opponent parameters
• Seasonal Content – New civilizations (Knights Templar, House of Lancaster added 2025), historical battle scenarios with scoring systems, and limited-time events drive engagement

Age of Empires IV DLC and Expansions

Two major expansions launched in 2025, significantly expanding civilization variety and introducing experimental gameplay modes. The post-launch content strategy balances paid expansions with free balance updates, maintaining active development five years post-release.

• Knights of Cross and Rose (April 2025) – Adds Knights Templar and House of Lancaster civilizations with unique mechanics, ten skirmish maps, and Historical Battles scoring mode ($19.99)
• Dynasties of the East (November 4, 2025) – Four Eastern variant civilizations (Golden Horde, Macedonian Dynasty, Sengoku Daimyo, Tughlaq Dynasty) with The Crucible roguelite single-player mode and eight new maps ($19.99)
• Free Updates – Quarterly seasonal patches address balance, add new maps, and introduce experimental modes like Chaotic Climate cycling through seasons during matches
• Game Pass – Full game available on Xbox Game Pass for PC and console, ensuring low barrier to entry for subscription members

Age of Empires IV Community and Support

Community engagement remains strong five years post-launch, with active forums, competing content creators, and thriving modding ecosystems sustaining player interest beyond official content. Developer responsiveness to feedback has increased patch frequency and transparency regarding roadmap priorities.

• Official Forums – forums.ageofempires.com hosts strategy discussions, bug reports, and developer announcements; community managers provide regular updates
• Reddit/Discord – r/aoe4 maintains 100k+ subscribers discussing balance changes, build orders, and tournament results; multiple Discord communities organize scrims and ladder climbing
• Mod Support – Steam Workshop enables custom maps, balance modifications, and cosmetic overhauls; modding tools documentation helps community creators extend game longevity
• Updates – Monthly patch cadence addresses balance complaints, fixes critical bugs, and introduces seasonal content; roadmap transparency announced annually clarifying expansion timing