Age of Empires IV

 PC
Metascore
81

Generally favorable reviews - based on 85 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 72 out of 85
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 85
  3. Negative: 0 out of 85
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  1. Eurogamer
    Dec 17, 2021
    History repeats itself with a joyful, educational flourish in Age of Empires 4, a game of sweet simplicity and bottomless depth. [Eurogamer Recommended]
  2. GamesBeat
    Oct 25, 2021
    I think this game is accessible and easy to learn, but it’s also got a lot of depth for real-time strategy veterans. I hope it does well because I want to see more RTS games hit the market. But this one could keep fans busy for a long time, as far as I can tell right now.
  3. Polygon
    Oct 25, 2021
    In the 16 years since the last “new” Age of Empires game, video games have changed a lot, and in Age of Empires 4, Relic manages to cater to modern players without losing the soul of the series. The game revives and renovates Age of Empires’ fantastic multiplayer not through fundamental changes, but through clever adjustments to old systems. These minor updates may bristle longtime Age of Empires 2 fans, but they’re a welcome and important addition to the series, making AoE 4 feel like the first big-budget modern RTS since Starcraft 2. [Polygon Recommends]
  5. Rock, Paper, Shotgun
    Oct 25, 2021
    I don't feel very strongly about Age Of Empires. That might sound damning, but I'm someone with no particular stake in the series, perhaps even slightly biased against it. Yet I've never wanted to stop playing AoE 4 all week. It might not be a huge step forward, but it's a sure step in a genre whose comeback is long overdue, and it doesn’t appear to have ambitions beyond that. I'd like to see more clear innovation, I'd love an active pause and speed controls in single player at least, and a pull towards macromanagement, and a heap of smaller tweaks that may well come in time anyway. Fundamentally, the best I can say is that I enjoyed it more the better I got, I got steadily better the more I played, and I don't see myself stopping any time soon.
  6. Vice
    Oct 25, 2021
    Age of Empires IV is content being a familiar and affable RTS companion, but it's not a complacent one. It's not making the kind of flashy, noisy challenge to convention that Relic made with the Homeworld, Dawn of War, and Company of Heroes games. It very consciously returns to an old genre formula, but finds enough places to add new touches and twists that it feels less conservative than its forerunners did. Perhaps more importantly, this kind of RTS went from being the default to being a rarity, and in that context it's become easier to appreciate its craft and to concede that our parents and normie nemeses may have been onto something.

Awards & Rankings

76
#76 Best PC Game of 2021
28
#28 Most Discussed PC Game of 2021

User Reviews

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User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 473 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 339 out of 473
  2. Mixed: 58 out of 473
  3. Negative: 76 out of 473
  1. santinc98
    Oct 29, 2021
    10
    Nice way of telling how the battles of history changes the way that we live, good gameplay, it could improve on graphics
  2. GutiOut
    May 3, 2022
    3
    (+) graphics and performance.
    (-) micro, FOV, hotkeys, number of civilizations and campaigns.
    It is a 2021 game and this has to be    (+) graphics and performance.
    (-) micro, FOV, hotkeys, number of civilizations and campaigns.

    It is a 2021 game and this has to be considered. Just talking about the multiplayer, it's not that bad, but far from being an improvement to the saga. The II: DE is still the best option by far.
    AOE I (1997) : 6/10
    AOE II (1999) : 10/10
    AOE III (2005): 3/10
    AOE IV (2021): 4/10    … Full Review »
  3. Paul_M_Dema
    Oct 30, 2021
    3
    I am more solo vs AI player and i have to say that AoE4 AI is useless. Full of bugs and does nothing interesting. In AoE 2 I couldn't handleI am more solo vs AI player and i have to say that AoE4 AI is useless. Full of bugs and does nothing interesting. In AoE 2 I couldn't handle strongest AI but here Hardest is a joke. Beat it in first try. Game is full of bugs and stupid moments like all enemies being red (even graphs line are red after game ends... gods...). Customization of match is minimal.
    Graphic is too cartoon-ish, can't properly distinguish between soldiers. ANd a lot more...
    Goods parts are new New Age builds and scout system (gathering sheeps and hunting)
    Overall game is not worth it. AoE2 is better for vs AI    … Full Review »
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