Age of Empires IV

Take part in some of histories pivotal battles, then learn more about the actual events that took place.

85%Game Brain Score

graphics, gameplay

stability, grinding

87% User Score Based on 43,644 reviews

Critic Score 83%Based on 8 reviews

Platforms

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About

Age of Empires IV is a single player and multiplayer real-time strategy game with warfare and historical themes. It was developed by Climax Studios and was released on October 28, 2021. It received positive reviews from both critics and players.

Age of Empires IV is a real-time strategy game that offers both single-player and multiplayer modes, including co-op and PvP. The Digital Deluxe Edition includes bonus content such as the soundtrack, art compilation, and exclusive in-game items. The Anniversary Edition brings new civilizations, maps, and updates to the award-winning franchise, with stunning 4K visuals and engaging gameplay.

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87%

Audience ScoreBased on 43,644 reviews

graphics1.8k positive mentions

stability314 negative mentions

graphics
4,260 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
41%
53%
6%
The graphics of Age of Empires IV have received mixed reviews, with many praising the modernized visuals and detailed environments that enhance the immersive experience. While some players appreciate the vibrant and stylized art direction, others criticize it for being too cartoonish and lacking the realism expected from a contemporary title. Overall, the graphics are seen as a significant improvement over previous installments, though some feel they fall short of current industry standards.
- “The graphics are stunning, with lush landscapes, towering castles, and highly detailed units that pop with color and personality.”
- “The visuals are crisp and vibrant, with detailed unit models, diverse landscapes, and epic battle animations that capture the grandeur of historical warfare.”
- “The art style strikes a perfect balance between realism and stylization, making each civilization feel unique while maintaining a cohesive aesthetic.”
- “The graphics look like something in between a loveless version of Valheim, and a version of Halo Wars 1 with everything interesting removed; everything looks like play dough.”
- “To wait as long as we did for this game, there's nothing new, nothing great, nothing different but the style of graphics; they should be ashamed.”
- “The graphics are worse than AoE2 definitive edition; even at the highest settings, the textures look like I'm playing an old COH game.”
gameplay
4,210 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
35%
61%
4%
The gameplay of Age of Empires IV has been generally well-received, with many players appreciating its blend of classic mechanics from previous titles, particularly Age of Empires II, alongside new features that enhance strategic depth. While the game offers a solid foundation with unique civilization mechanics and improved graphics, some players feel it lacks innovation and depth compared to its predecessors, leading to a somewhat repetitive experience. Overall, it is praised for its engaging campaigns, historical context, and accessibility for newcomers, though some balance issues and bugs have been noted.
- “The gameplay is phenomenal, the graphics are great, and the campaign as a whole really takes you to that time and place.”
- “The game design is solid, with well-crafted mechanics that build on the series’ classic formula while adding new depth.”
- “Age of empires 4 is a masterclass in real-time strategy, blending rich historical detail with exhilarating gameplay.”
- “Age of empires 4 feels like a rehash of old ideas with very little new content or mechanics.”
- “The gameplay feels stale and doesn't bring anything revolutionary to the table.”
- “Despite the developers' attempts to diversify civilizations and introduce unique mechanics for each, many of these efforts fall flat in practice.”
story
2,008 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
69%
4%
The story aspect of "Age of Empires IV" has received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating the documentary-style storytelling and historical context provided through cutscenes and intermissions. However, some critics feel that the narrative lacks depth and character engagement compared to previous titles, resulting in a less immersive experience. While the campaigns are noted for their educational value and varied missions, there are concerns about repetitive gameplay and a lack of cohesive storytelling across the missions.
- “The campaigns are a standout feature, offering a blend of historical storytelling and challenging scenarios.”
- “The single-player campaign spans different historical periods, offering engaging narratives and varied mission objectives that showcase the strengths of each civilization.”
- “The narrative that unfolds while you play is an interesting and unique way to tell the story, with the documentary-style videos proving to be both beautiful in terms of cinematography and informative in terms of the knowledge provided about the medieval time period.”
- “However if I have any complaint that stands out...it's that there is no story, the other Age of Empires had stories, this?”
- “The campaigns so far seem simplistic with missions that are no way close to the complexity of Age of Empires II.”
- “The campaign is simply a series of historical events that's fine but don't get the investment the others gave in a story driven way.”
music
488 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
52%
43%
5%
The music in Age of Empires IV has received mixed reviews, with many praising its high-quality orchestral compositions and the unique soundtracks tailored to each civilization, enhancing the game's immersive experience. However, some players feel the music lacks the memorable impact of previous titles in the series, describing it as atmospheric but not particularly engaging. Overall, while the sound design is often highlighted as exceptional, opinions vary on the soundtrack's ability to evoke the same nostalgia and excitement as earlier games.
- “The audio quality is excellent, with epic music scores and immersive battle sounds that elevate the experience.”
- “The music adapts dynamically to the ebb and flow of gameplay, heightening the emotional impact of each strategic decision and triumphant conquest.”
- “From the clash of swords to the stirring soundtrack, Age of Empires IV's sound design enhances the atmosphere and authenticity of battles.”
- “The music is garbage with some little dog whistles to remind older players like me of the AOE2 days, but it just isn't hitting the spot; it feels like a marketing gimmick.”
- “Overall, I will say it's a pretty good game, although I find it very lacking in the music department.”
- “The older games had defining tunes, whereas music in AOE4 is almost purely atmospheric.”
optimization
422 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
26%
54%
20%
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players noting smooth performance and minimal bugs, particularly on mid-range systems. However, significant issues persist, especially in multiplayer modes and larger maps, where lag and stuttering are common. Overall, while some players find the game well-optimized for lower-end hardware, others criticize it for being resource-heavy and poorly optimized, particularly in terms of graphics and performance during intense gameplay scenarios.
- “Technical issues are virtually non-existent, with smooth performance and no significant bugs encountered.”
- “The game plays very smooth, well optimized so it runs really well and looks really nice.”
- “Gameplay is fluid and very well optimized.”
- “The game is poorly optimized and laggy, even in small games the map scrolling is very jittery.”
- “Complete lack of optimization for a game a year out of release is ridiculous.”
- “Game is barely optimized and not fun.”
stability
354 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
10%
1%
89%
The stability of the game has been a mixed bag, with many users reporting significant improvements since its initial buggy launch, describing it as "buttery smooth" in some instances. However, numerous players still encounter persistent glitches, crashes, and freezes, particularly during late-game scenarios or in the map editor, indicating that while progress has been made, the game remains plagued by stability issues. Overall, while some players experience a stable and enjoyable gameplay experience, many others find the game still requires substantial fixes and updates to address ongoing bugs and performance problems.
- “Is as expected, performs well, almost no glitches or failures.”
- “Bug free, no glitches, and silky smooth homage to the old games in this saga.”
- “The game runs great and they've added a lot of fun mechanics, and simplified others from the previous game.”
- “Daily challenges remain buggy, unable to finish even after years of updates.”
- “However, if you are like me and play to create your own scenarios and stuff, get ready for one mega unnecessarily complicated and buggy process that basically forces you to code then crashes every few minutes.”
- “The sheer amount of bugs, glitches, weird crashes and balance issues makes you think this is some early access instead of actual release.”
replayability
232 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
28%
66%
6%
The replayability of Age of Empires IV is generally praised, particularly for its dynamic multiplayer modes and diverse civilizations, which offer a variety of playstyles and strategies. However, some players express concerns about the limited number of factions and the campaign's lack of depth, suggesting that while multiplayer provides extensive replay value, single-player experiences may feel lacking. Overall, the game is seen as having high replayability potential, especially with future DLCs and updates that could introduce more content.
- “There are no microtransactions, which is a big plus, and the game has very high replay value thanks to its dynamic multiplayer modes and varying campaign missions.”
- “Living up to expectations after 20 years of AOE2 was never going to be easy, but Relic did an incredible job making a game that is super fun, looks great, and has tremendous replayability with the amazingly diverse lineup of playstyles.”
- “With a variety of game modes, including skirmishes, historical battles, and custom scenarios, Age of Empires IV offers extensive replayability.”
- “Minimal campaign and very little replay value.”
- “Age of Empire 4 has almost 0 replay value for singleplayer... why not make a game good for people who don't like to play the multiplayer option.”
- “This one is by far the most disappointing with the least amount of replay value.”
grinding
200 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
2%
26%
72%
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it tedious and time-consuming, often requiring extensive resource farming and micromanagement. While some appreciate the streamlined mechanics that reduce certain tedious elements from previous titles, others feel that the game still demands excessive grinding, particularly for civilization mastery and campaign completion. Overall, players suggest that the experience can be exhausting, with some calling for improvements to make the grinding feel more rewarding and less monotonous.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “A bit grindy sometimes.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “The rest is just tediously building archers, infantry, and cavalry in a 4/3/3 ratio, while fending off wave after wave of infinite enemies spawning from an invisible wormhole off the map.”
- “Furthermore, the AI is still a bit wonky, and some of the campaign missions have a tendency to turn into tedious slogs where you basically just grind through endless waves of enemies until a timer expires.”
- “What a tedious and frustrating task this game is compared to prior iterations.”
humor
122 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
98%
2%
The humor in "Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition" is widely praised, with players highlighting its witty one-liners, amusing unit interactions, and chaotic moments that lead to laughter. The game combines historical charm with irreverent humor, making battles entertaining and often hilarious, whether through quirky animations or funny voice lines. Overall, the lighthearted tone and comedic elements contribute significantly to the enjoyment of both single-player campaigns and multiplayer matches.
- “In conclusion, Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition is a hilarious romp through history, filled with epic battles, questionable fashion choices, and enough strategy to make Machiavelli blush.”
- “From witty one-liners from your units to hilarious historical references, this game had us laughing out loud more than once.”
- “It's silly, it's irreverent, and it's absolutely hilarious.”
- “The AI levels are so unbalanced it's not funny; the units don't counter well, and I noticed the AI on easy was harder to kill, which is really odd. This is the only game I struggled on easy, so I will not dare play on medium.”
monetization
90 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
4%
25%
71%
The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating the absence of microtransactions and in-game purchases, which allows for cosmetic unlocks through gameplay. However, a significant number of users criticize the game as a "cash grab," suggesting it relies on nostalgia without delivering substantial improvements or content, leading to disappointment among long-time fans. Overall, while the lack of monetization is seen as a positive, the game's perceived lack of depth and innovation has overshadowed this benefit.
- “There are no microtransactions, which is a big plus, and the game has very high replay value thanks to its dynamic multiplayer modes and varying campaign missions.”
- “I have thoroughly enjoyed the mastery challenges and the ability to unlock new cosmetic customization through gameplay as opposed to in-game purchases.”
- “No loot boxes, no microtransactions, no battle pass, although the game could have just shoved a cash grab nostalgia appeal, I appreciate that there is no in-game paid content (at least for now) in a video game market saturated with obnoxious incentives to pay beyond the base price.”
- “However, it is just a cash grab trying to piggyback off of nostalgia.”
- “This game ultimately was a cash grab by Microsoft that was meant to attract the competitive esports Starcraft 2 crowd, and it didn't really succeed in that because the devs missed the point of what Age of Empires was.”
- “This game is not Age of Empires; it's a pathetic cash grab reboot of Age of Empires 3 DE, which was the worst one of all of them.”
atmosphere
52 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
56%
6%
The atmosphere in Age of Empires IV is highly praised for its immersive and detailed environments, enhanced by impressive sound design and period-appropriate visuals that draw players into the experience. While the graphics and music contribute significantly to the game's authenticity, some players feel the removal of certain features, like tactical pause, detracts from the overall experience. Overall, the game successfully evokes a sense of historical immersion, with vibrant settings and a well-realized world that captivates both new and veteran players.
- “The atmosphere is very immersive, with detailed maps and period-appropriate visuals drawing you into each battle.”
- “From the clash of swords to the stirring soundtrack, Age of Empires IV's sound design enhances the atmosphere and authenticity of battles.”
- “The game's sound design is equally impressive, with fitting music, ambient sounds, and realistic battle cries that further enhance the atmosphere and immerse players in the world of the game.”
- “Since AOE4 no longer has the city/card system and in general has a very different atmosphere compared to AOE3.”
- “I do understand that in a multiplayer setting the music is irrelevant, probably even distracting, but in single player I was missing some of the atmosphere that the earlier games were able to provide through the background music.”
- “Artistically, it feels a bit lukewarm/safe and creates an atmosphere that doesn't match the high quality of the game.”
emotional
40 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its ability to evoke nostalgia and childlike wonder in long-time fans, while also providing a polished experience with engaging historical narratives and dynamic music that enhances gameplay. Players feel a connection to the characters and the campaign, though some express disappointment in the lack of epic moments and the limitations of unit management. Overall, the game is described as heartwarming and immersive, despite some critiques regarding its pacing and gameplay mechanics.
- “The music adapts dynamically to the ebb and flow of gameplay, heightening the emotional impact of each strategic decision and triumphant conquest.”
- “As someone that has been playing games of this series for over 15 years now, this game made me feel that childlike awe and blood-boiling war lust once again. It feels inferior to the more precise and competitive gameplay of AOE2, but in terms of presentation, details, and atmosphere, AOE4 is definitely at the top.”
- “It really made me feel invested in the characters.”
character development
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
25%
25%
Overall, the character development in the game is criticized for being minimal and lacking depth, with players feeling disconnected from the characters due to a focus on historical accuracy and a scarcity of voice acting and dialogue. While the campaign and character designs are praised, they do not compensate for the absence of engaging personal narratives, making it difficult for players to become invested in the characters.
- “Beautiful campaign, beautiful character designs and variety of civilizations/options.”
- “Unlike Age of Empires 3, which took liberties to create a fictional search for the fountain of youth and had good personal character development, this was more historically accurate and vague for the main characters.”
- “The character designs are visually appealing and contribute to the overall experience of the game.”
- “Campaigns are amazing, but lacking in any sort of character development.”
- “Down to the bland and weird architecture and character designs.”