Age of Empires IV

Last updated

Age of Empires IV
Age of Empires IV Cover Art.png
Developer(s)
Publisher(s) Xbox Game Studios
Director(s)
  • Adam Isgreen
  • Quinn Duffy
Producer(s)
  • Michael Mann
  • Greg Wilson
Designer(s)
  • Christopher M. Rubyor
  • Michael Conkin
  • James Agay
Programmer(s)
  • Joel Pritchett
  • Wilfried Schmidt
  • Lawrence Ward
Artist(s)
  • Han Randhawa
  • Zach Schläppi
  • Roland Longpre
  • Brent Breedveld
Writer(s)
  • Noble Smith
  • Philippe Boulle
Composer(s)
  • Tilman Sillescu
  • Alexander Röder
  • Henning Nugel
  • Armin Haas
  • Mikołaj Stroiński
Series Age of Empires
Engine Essence Engine 5.0
Platform(s)
Release
  • Windows
  • October 28, 2021
  • Xbox One, Series X/S
  • 2023
Genre(s) Real-time strategy
Mode(s) Single-player, multiplayer

Age of Empires IV is a real-time strategy video game developed by Relic Entertainment in partnership with World's Edge and published by Xbox Game Studios. It is the fourth installment of the Age of Empires series. The game was released October 28, 2021 for Windows. It is also scheduled to release for Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S in 2023. [1]

Contents

Gameplay

The game is set during the Early Middle Ages to the early Renaissance. [2]

There are 8 civilizations available at the release date; [3] the English, the Chinese, the Mongols, the Delhi Sultanate, the French, the Abbasid Dynasty, the Holy Roman Empire, and the Rus. [4] In August 2022, it was announced that two civilizations, the Ottomans and Malians, would be added on 25 October later that year. [5]

The game had 4 single-player campaigns at launch: [6]

Development

On August 21, 2017, Microsoft announced Age of Empires IV, developed by Relic Entertainment. [7] Microsoft's Executive Vice-President of Gaming, Phil Spencer, confirmed on June 11, 2019, that Age of Empires IV was still in development, with more information coming later in 2019. [8] On November 14, 2019, gameplay footage of Age of Empires IV was shown at the X019 event. [9] It showed medieval warfare between English and Mongol forces. [10] [11] On March 16, 2021, the fan preview was released, showing more detailed gameplay and also including the two other known civilizations, the Chinese and the Delhi Sultanate. Microsoft announced at E3 2021 that the game will be released on Game Pass for PC on October 28, 2021. [12] The game released on October 28, 2021 having been developed using the Essence Engine.

Soundtrack

The game's voiceovers were recorded using historical pronunciation of each language. [13] In-game music was written by Dynamedion composers Tilman Sillescu (main theme, menu music, trailers, Mongols, Holy Roman Empire), Alexander Röder (Chinese, English), Henning Nugel (Rus', Abbasid), Armin Haas (Delhi Sultanate), and also Mikolai Stroinski (French). [14] [15] The soundtrack is also available as part of the additional content of the Digital Deluxe Edition on Steam. [16]

Reception

The game received "generally favorable reviews" according to review aggregator Metacritic. [17]

IGN summed up their review by saying "Age of Empires 4 is an enjoyable RTS throwback that often plays it too safe, but excels when it doesn't." [27] Rachel Weber of GamesRadar+ praised the variety of the civilizations, writing, "each has been meticulously designed to offer different gameplay experiences". [28] Game Informer liked the history videos between missions, but criticized how the game didn't seem to innovate on the formula of its predecessor, feeling that Age of Empires IV "lacks any ambition to even gently jostle the standards set by Age of Empires II decades earlier". [29] Hayes Madsen of CGMagazine summed up his 10/10 review by saying "Age of Empires IV is a bold and ambitious evolution of the series, and quite likely one of the best RTS games ever made." [30]

The Washington Post enjoyed the campaign balancing describing it as how "Every battle feels like it could tip any way at any moment" and that there was a "magic to this design". [31] VG247 felt that the game's commitment to historical accuracy set it apart from its strategy game peers "making Age of Empires 4 more than just another medieval combat simulator". [32] PCGamesN 's Ian Boudreau praised the Art of War tutorials, saying they were "hugely helpful for new players who want to understand the nuts and bolts of successful economy management". [33]

Robert Zak of PC Gamer felt the distinct civilizations were the fourth entry's greatest triumph, calling "the visual and strategic" variety "one of the most significant evolutions in the series". He criticized how he felt the game whitewashed history, saying its "squeaky-clean presentation skirts around the ickier parts of history". [34] Polygon felt the simplifications from Age of Empire 2's mechanics benefited the game, saying that the changes led "its complications [to] come more from decision-making and strategy than from the minute details of mechanical plays". [35] Darryn Bonthuys of GameSpot called the game "satisfying", praising the historically educational campaign as well as the uniqueness of the factions. He criticized the dated visuals and the lack of innovativeness regarding the standard Age of Empires formula, saying that the game "rarely ventures out of its comfort zone". [21]

Awards and accolades

Age of Empires IV won the award for "Best Sim/Strategy Game" at The Game Awards 2021. [36] It also won the award for "Strategy/Simulation Game of the Year" at the 25th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards. [37]

Related Research Articles

<i>Age of Empires II</i> 1999 real-time strategy video game

Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings is a real-time strategy video game developed by Ensemble Studios and published by Microsoft. Released in 1999 for Microsoft Windows and Macintosh, it is the second game in the Age of Empires series. The Age of Kings is set in the Middle Ages and contains thirteen playable civilizations. Players aim to gather resources, which they use to build towns, create armies, and defeat their enemies. There are five historically based campaigns, which conscript the player to specialized and story-backed conditions, as well as three additional single-player game modes; multiplayer is also supported.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">4X</span> Genre of strategy-based video and board games

4X is a subgenre of strategy-based computer and board games, and include both turn-based and real-time strategy titles. The gameplay involves building an empire. Emphasis is placed upon economic and technological development, as well as a range of military and non-military routes to supremacy.

<i>Age of Empires III</i> 2005 real-time strategy video game

Age of Empires III is a real-time strategy video game developed by Microsoft Corporation's Ensemble Studios and published by Microsoft Game Studios. The Mac version was ported over and developed and published by Destineer's MacSoft. The PC version was released on October 18, 2005, in North America and November 4, 2005, in Europe, while the Mac version was released on November 21, 2006, in North America and September 29, 2006, in Europe. An N-Gage version of the game developed by Glu Mobile was released on April 28, 2009. It is the third game of the Age of Empires series and the sequel to Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings. A remaster titled Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition was released on October 15, 2020. Its successor, Age of Empires IV was released October 28, 2021, for Windows.

<i>Empires: Dawn of the Modern World</i> 2003 video game

Empires: Dawn of the Modern World is a 2003 real-time strategy video game developed by Stainless Steel Studios and published by Activision. Set in a world-historical period that extends from the Middle Ages to World War II, the game tasks players with guiding one of nine rival great civilizations to victory. Customer surveys from Stainless Steel's previous game, Empire Earth, were used as a starting point for Empires: these inspired the team to take a more minimalist design approach, and to include civilizations without overlapping styles of play. Empires was positively received by critics, who enjoyed its multiplayer component. However, certain reviewers disliked its single-player mode, and opinion clashed on the game's level of uniqueness compared to competitors such as Rise of Nations. The sales of Empires, when combined with those of Empire Earth, totaled 2.5 million units by 2004.

<i>Age of Empires</i> Real-time strategy video game series

Age of Empires is a series of historical real-time strategy video games, originally developed by Ensemble Studios and published by Xbox Game Studios. The first game was Age of Empires, released in 1997. Nine total games within the series have been released so far as of October 28, 2021.

<i>The Guild 2</i> 2006 video game

The Guild 2 is a life simulation video game developed by 4HEAD Studios and published by JoWooD Productions. It is the second installment in The Guild series, following Europa 1400: The Guild and preceding The Guild 3. The game was released worldwide in November 2006 for Windows. Taking place within fictional versions of provinces of Europe in the fifteenth century, The Guild 2's main focus revolves around the player character's aim to simulate life in the Renaissance. At the beginning of the game, the player can create a self defined character, whereby characteristic attributes points and skills can be adjusted and developed over the course of the game, by improving its properties and special abilities.

<i>Age of Empires Online</i> 2011 video game

Age of Empires Online is a multiplayer online real-time strategy game developed by Robot Entertainment and Gas Powered Games, which released on August 16, 2011. Based upon the gameplay of the Age of Empires series, it was originally developed by Robot Entertainment, but on February 24, 2011, Gas Powered Games, took over production. The game was published by Microsoft.

<i>Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord</i> 2022 video game

Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord is a strategy action role-playing video game developed and published by TaleWorlds Entertainment, and co-published by Prime Matter. It is a prequel to Mount & Blade: Warband, a stand-alone expansion for the 2008 game Mount & Blade. Bannerlord takes place 210 years before its predecessor, with a setting inspired by the Migration Period. Bannerlord was announced in 2012. A Steam page for the game was created in late 2015; the following year, TaleWorlds began releasing weekly developer diaries detailing elements of the game. An early access version of the game was released on March 27, 2020 and quickly became the largest launch of the year on Steam, achieving nearly 250,000 concurrent players on Steam. The game was released for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S on October 25, 2022.

<i>Stellaris</i> (video game) 2016 video game

Stellaris is a 4X grand strategy video game developed by Paradox Development Studio and published by Paradox Interactive. In Stellaris, players take control of an interstellar civilization on the galactic stage and are tasked with exploring, colonizing, and managing their region of the galaxy, encountering other civilizations that they can then engage in diplomacy, trade, or warfare with. A large part of the game involves dealing with both scripted and emergent events, through which new empires alter the balance of power, powerful crises threaten the galaxy, or event chains tell the story of forgotten empires. It was released worldwide for Windows, macOS, and Linux on May 9, 2016 and for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One as Stellaris: Console Edition on February 26, 2019.

<i>Civilization VI</i> 2016 turn-based strategy video game

Sid Meier's Civilization VI is a turn-based strategy 4X video game developed by Firaxis Games, published by 2K Games, and distributed by Take-Two Interactive. The mobile port was published by Aspyr Media. The latest entry into the Civilization series, it was released on Windows and macOS in October 2016, with later ports for Linux in February 2017, iOS in December 2017, Nintendo Switch in November 2018, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One in November 2019, and Android in 2020.

<i>Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition</i> 2019 real-time strategy video game

Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition is a 2019 real-time strategy video game developed by Forgotten Empires and published by Xbox Game Studios. It is a remaster of the 1999 game Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings, celebrating the 20th anniversary of the original. It features significantly improved visuals, supports 4K resolution, and includes all previous expansions from the original and HD Edition. In addition, it includes The Last Khans, an expansion that adds four new civilizations based on Central Asia and Eastern Europe, as well as four new campaigns. The game was released for Windows on November 14, 2019. It was also released for Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S on January 31, 2023.

<i>Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition</i> 2020 real-time strategy video game

Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition is a real-time strategy video game developed by Tantalus Media and Forgotten Empires and published by Xbox Game Studios. It is a remaster of the 2005 game Age of Empires III, celebrating the 15th anniversary of the original. It features improved visuals, a remastered soundtrack, two new game modes, and four new civilizations, plus African and Mediterranean-themed downloadable content as of June 2022. The Mediterranean expansion introduces the Italians as a playable civilization, which was planned for the original version of the game but did not appear. It includes all previous expansions from the original game. It was released on October 15, 2020 for Windows.

<i>Age of Wonders: Planetfall</i> 2019 video game

Age of Wonders: Planetfall is a 4X turn-based strategy video game developed by Triumph Studios and published by Paradox Interactive. The game is the fifth installment in the Age of Wonders series and features a sci-fi setting. It was released for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One in August 2019.

<i>Bad North</i> 2018 video game

Bad North is a real-time strategy video game developed by Plausible Concept and published by Raw Fury. The game was released on August 20, 2018, for the Nintendo Switch, then for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One on August 28. A Microsoft Windows version was released on October 16, 2018. Versions for the mobile platforms Android and iOS followed on October 16, 2019.

<i>Ancestors Legacy</i> 2018 video game

Ancestors Legacy is a real-time strategy video game developed by Polish studio Destructive Creations and published by 1C Company. It was released on Microsoft Windows on May 22, 2018, Xbox One and PlayStation 4 on August 13, 2019, and Nintendo Switch on June 11, 2020.

<i>Chivalry 2</i> 2021 video game

Chivalry 2 is a 2021 multiplayer hack and slash action video game developed by Torn Banner Studios and published by Tripwire Interactive. The sequel to Chivalry: Medieval Warfare (2012), the game was released on June 8, 2021 for Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X and Series S.

<i>Humankind</i> (video game) 2021 video game

Humankind is a turn-based strategy 4X video game by Amplitude Studios and published by Sega. The game was released for Microsoft Windows and Stadia in August 2021, and for macOS in November 2021. It received generally favorable reviews. It was scheduled to release on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S in November 2022 but was delayed indefinitely due to “unique porting challenges”.

<i>Galactic Civilizations IV</i> 2022 video game

Galactic Civilizations IV is a 4X turn-based strategy video game developed by Stardock for Microsoft Windows. It features standard 4X space gameplay such as colonizing a galaxy, engaging in space combat, and discovering new technology and alien species. As the fourth entry in the Galactic Civilizations series, the game adds an artificial intelligence assistant, a scoring system, and a larger galaxy organized into multiple sectors of tile-based maps. The game entered early access in 2021, promising to learn from other 4X games including Stellaris, Endless Space, and Distant Worlds.

References

  1. ↑ Romano, Sal (October 25, 2022). "Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition coming to Xbox Series and Xbox One on January 31, 2023; Age of Empires IV in 2023". Gematsu. Retrieved October 25, 2022.
  2. ↑ Scott-Jones, Richard (November 15, 2019). "Age of Empires 4 starts earlier and finishes later than Age of Empires 2". PCGamesN . Retrieved September 19, 2022.
  3. ↑ Age of Empires 4's First Civilizations, Campaign, and Gameplay Details Revealed - IGN, April 10, 2021, retrieved April 11, 2021
  4. ↑ Age of Empires IV — Age of Empires
  5. ↑ Bailey, Kat (August 23, 2022). "Age of Empires 4 Confirmed to be Getting Two New Civs at Gamescom Opening Night Live". ign.com.
  6. ↑ "Age of Empires IV Achievements Revealed". Xbox News. October 11, 2021. Retrieved October 24, 2021.
  7. ↑ Matulef, Jeffery (August 21, 2017). "Age of Empires 4 revealed with Relic at the helm". Eurogamer . Archived from the original on August 22, 2017. Retrieved August 21, 2017.
  8. ↑ Roberts, Samuel (June 11, 2019). "Age of Empires 4 is 'making good progress', and Microsoft will talk about it later this year". PC Gamer . Archived from the original on June 12, 2019. Retrieved June 12, 2019.
  9. ↑ "Catch up on the biggest X019 news right here". Windows Central. November 14, 2019. Archived from the original on November 17, 2019. Retrieved November 17, 2019.
  10. ↑ "Age of Empires IV is set in the medieval era, gameplay trailer released". Neowin. Archived from the original on November 15, 2019. Retrieved November 17, 2019.
  11. ↑ "Xbox Nails Age of Empires IV Setting With Medieval Era Warfare", CCN.com, November 15, 2019, archived from the original on November 17, 2019, retrieved November 17, 2019
  12. ↑ "Age of Empires 4 releases this October". Eurogamer . June 13, 2021. Retrieved August 23, 2021.
  13. ↑ Language Log
  14. ↑ "Age of Empires IV – DYNAMEDION".
  15. ↑ Sillescu, Tilman. "Tilman Sillescu - Exciting times, now that the biggest..." Facebook.
  16. ↑ "Buy Now - Age of Empires". www.ageofempires.com. May 4, 2017. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
  17. 1 2 "Age of Empires IV for PC Reviews". Metacritic . Red Ventures . Retrieved November 19, 2021.
  18. ↑ Tapsell, Chris (December 17, 2021). "Age of Empires 4 review - the classic RTS rediscovered and restored". Eurogamer .
  19. ↑ Tack, Daniel. "Age of Empires IV Review - The Once And Possibly Future King". Game Informer .
  20. ↑ Faulkner, Jason (October 26, 2021). "Age of Empires 4 Review: 'Too old school for its own good'". GameRevolution . Retrieved October 27, 2021.
  21. 1 2 Bonthuys, Darryn (November 8, 2021). "Age of Empires IV Review - Resistance is Feudal". GameSpot . Retrieved August 29, 2022.
  22. ↑ Zak, Robert (October 24, 2021). "Age of Empires 4 review: "History, carnage, and teeny weeny elephants - it has it all"". GamesRadar . Retrieved October 27, 2021.
  23. ↑ Wells, Cory (October 25, 2021). "Rewiew: Age of Empires IV". Hardcore Gamer. Retrieved October 27, 2021.
  24. ↑ Hafer, Leana (October 25, 2021). "Age of Empires 4 Review – An overly safe but enjoyable RTS throwback". IGN . Retrieved October 30, 2021.
  25. ↑ Zak, Robert (October 24, 2021). "Age of Empires 4 review". PC Gamer . Retrieved October 27, 2021.
  26. ↑ Boudreau, Ian (October 25, 2021). "Age of Empires 4 review – return of the king". PCGamesN . Retrieved October 27, 2021.
  27. ↑ am, Leana HaferUpdated: 29 Oct 2021 7:50 pmPosted: 25 Oct 2021 7:01 (October 25, 2021), Age of Empires 4 Review - IGN , retrieved November 2, 2021
  28. ↑ Weber, Rachel (October 25, 2021). "Age of Empires 4 review: "History, carnage, and teeny weeny elephants - it has it all"". gamesradar. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
  29. ↑ Tack, Daniel. "Age of Empires IV Review - The Once And Possibly Future King". Game Informer. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
  30. ↑ "Age of Empires IV (PC) Review - CGMagazine". October 25, 2021. Retrieved November 10, 2021.
  31. ↑ "Review | 'Age of Empires IV' is the History Channel in game form. Just don't take it literally". Washington Post. ISSN   0190-8286 . Retrieved November 9, 2021.
  32. ↑ "Age of Empires 4 review — A learning experience". VG247. October 25, 2021. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
  33. ↑ "Age of Empires 4 review – return of the king". PCGamesN. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
  34. ↑ Zak, Robert (October 25, 2021). "Age of Empires 4 review". pcgamer. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
  35. ↑ Goslin, Austen (October 25, 2021). "Age of Empires 4 revives the series' brilliance". Polygon. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
  36. ↑ Bankhurst, Adam (December 10, 2021). "The Game Awards 2021 Winners: The Full List". IGN . Retrieved December 13, 2021.
  37. ↑ Bankhurst, Adam (February 25, 2022). "DICE Awards 2022 Winners: The Full List". IGN. IGN. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.