Age of Empires IV

 PC
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
Buy Now
Buy on

Review this game

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. CRCMismatch
    Feb 12, 2022
    4
    Beginning with the good parts:
    - They've brought back the good old "medieval" timeset.
    - The investment in historical research is noticeable, and the story-telling aspect is the best ever seen. - Game seems overall balanced, while being fun at the same time - good for newcomers to Age of Empires. For the bad parts: - It shouldn't be called Age of Empires, as it departs completely    Beginning with the good parts:
    - They've brought back the good old "medieval" timeset.
    - The investment in historical research is noticeable, and the story-telling aspect is the best ever seen.
    - Game seems overall balanced, while being fun at the same time - good for newcomers to Age of Empires.

    For the bad parts:
    - It shouldn't be called Age of Empires, as it departs completely from the series main mechanics.
    - The "astounding" new graphics are on par with Stronghold 2, literally Age of Empires 3 (original one, not even DE) had better graphics.
    - If you're an avid AoE series fan, used to micromanagement and low-level field strategies, this is not the game for you (it's basically only combat-chain, you can't even dodge projectiles...)
    - The overall UI and hotkeys are a complete backstep, more akin to Company of Heroes than Age of Empires.    … Expand
  2. theirrelephants
    Mar 26, 2022
    4
    Over a decade of waiting for another title inferior to Age of Empires 2. Hell, age of empires 3 had BETTER graphics than this.

    Bravo, Microsoft.
  3. S1l3ntr1v3r
    Mar 6, 2022
    0
    this game hasn't a soul, there is no atmosphere what makes it **** boring the games of ensemble studios were/are much more fun
  4. 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 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
  5. agent13
    Dec 2, 2021
    2
    this is the first age of empires game i have ever played, as a fan of rts genre i hate the gameplay of this game, it's boring and unimpressive and the graphics are a shame for a 2021 game the charachters are as big as building and they look stupid and slow and too unrealistic I miss the great rts games like warcraft and older stronghold games
  6. lachlangilbert9
    Nov 15, 2021
    4
    I would not actively buy this game, but its ok if you get it on gamepass It feels like a generic dumbed down version of age of empires 2. Very generic units and very few nations to choose from, there is little soul to this game and the combat looks like poorly animated blobs with no significant strategic option's except ro have more units
    The graphics are a bit dull and reminiscent of a    I would not actively buy this game, but its ok if you get it on gamepass It feels like a generic dumbed down version of age of empires 2. Very generic units and very few nations to choose from, there is little soul to this game and the combat looks like poorly animated blobs with no significant strategic option's except ro have more units
    The graphics are a bit dull and reminiscent of a mid 2000s rts, similar to battle for middle earth but not as good physics. The only new positive factor is the historical documentaries it plays betwern missions    … Expand
  7. Doite
    Nov 7, 2021
    2
    The alarm bells went off when I heard they had decided to not include blood and expected the modders to do it for them. But I didn't expect it to be this lacking.

    I only play AOE in multiplayer, so that's what I'm reviewing: 50 gbs, 2021... and the graphics are mediocre. There's no save or pause. There are 6 civilisations to choose from as opposed to AOE2's 35. AOE2 was made    The alarm bells went off when I heard they had decided to not include blood and expected the modders to do it for them. But I didn't expect it to be this lacking.

    I only play AOE in multiplayer, so that's what I'm reviewing:

    50 gbs, 2021... and the graphics are mediocre.

    There's no save or pause.

    There are 6 civilisations to choose from as opposed to AOE2's 35. AOE2 was made in 1999.

    No randomizing options. No random maps. No random races.

    You don't choose your colours.

    The AI aren't named. They're all just called AI. They don't have personalities.

    No auto scout.

    It feels like you have a really boring history teacher, instead of the way AOE had of making history fun.

    This game feels unfinished.

    I've noticed game developers are struggling with resurrecting old franchises. So here, I'll help:

    Step 1: Use the most loved model.

    Step 2: Work out what people thought needed improvement in the old model.

    Step 3: Fix those areas and add extra content + improved graphics.

    Step 4: Make anything contentious an option

    Step 5: Profit

    If you have to take important features away from a game old enough to graduate college, leave it alone and move on. Make something new. Radical, I know.

    What you don't do is release a half done game. Or maybe you do. My generation is pretty gullible. They'll throw money at anything with a name.

    So, if you're a gamer reading this and wondering if you should buy this game, here's some questions?

    Do you own AOE2, does it work on your machine, and are the old graphics just fine?

    If yes, then this game isn't worth it. If no, then you might want this game.

    Do you play mp and sometimes have to eat, cook, take a leak, sleep, take care of a baby/child, work, or do anything other than play the exact same game without break for several hours?

    If yes, this game may not be for you.

    Are aesthetics a big deal for you?

    You might want this. The graphics are lacking for the time but they are better than AOE2. Do you intend to only play single player? Then maybe, some annoyances are not relevant to sp. Do you desperately need a modern game to indulge in nostalgia so bad you're shaking, and just playing the old game isn't getting you there? Then yes, this might help your sad condition. Condolences. This is probably the closest we're getting to a new AOE that doesn't feel like it's playing itself. So I see the appeal. In another year they might even add all the features they've stripped back. But their comments about letting modders fix their failings is not a good sign and without a time machine I will rate what I see now. You tried, you half succeeded. But you don't get a C grade because the places you disappointed were key to making this something I can play.    … Expand
  8. TomasLacerda
    Nov 6, 2021
    4
    - outdated graphics
    - UI feels lazy, old and clunky
    - unit cap again, like the old habits
    - feels like a copy of Age of Empires and not a step up from AoE 2
    - lack of unit options (patrols, formations, etc)
    - no really primitive age feeling like AoE 2
    - no WASD camera controls possible even with rebinding

    + tutorial is well made for newcomers
  9. DOB11
    Nov 23, 2021
    1
    It's hard to believe this is an AOE game released in 2021! The graphics are horrendous, just as if they stole the models from Stronghold 2 and put some lousy textures on them! Not only that but the AI is absolutely pathetic, most units would start spinning like a bunch of headless chickens when engaged in fighting and the single player is beyond boring. The only good thing about it is theIt's hard to believe this is an AOE game released in 2021! The graphics are horrendous, just as if they stole the models from Stronghold 2 and put some lousy textures on them! Not only that but the AI is absolutely pathetic, most units would start spinning like a bunch of headless chickens when engaged in fighting and the single player is beyond boring. The only good thing about it is the name, which unfortunately the actual game doesn't live up to, even in the slightest. A hastily made piece of trash, more suitable to be a free mobile game.… Expand
  10. Alper412
    Oct 31, 2021
    3
    Age of Empires III released in 2005 and this game released in 2021 but it looks like released in 2008 That's all my comment.
  11. Haim_Miller
    Nov 6, 2021
    0
    I can recommend this game for sure.
    I've played AoE since it was released in 1997 and can say for sure that this game is well made, with roots elements from the AoE I-II titles.
    The gameplay is similar to the original AoE's, excellent! in one ward. Full disclosure- I played only through the Campaign and have not yet tested the Multiplayer and the Skirmish. The Campaign is fantastic    I can recommend this game for sure.
    I've played AoE since it was released in 1997 and can say for sure that this game is well made, with roots elements from the AoE I-II titles.
    The gameplay is similar to the original AoE's, excellent! in one ward.

    Full disclosure- I played only through the Campaign and have not yet tested the Multiplayer and the Skirmish.

    The Campaign is fantastic explained, with 4K video arts based on real battles in the eyes of today's locations (including cities, regions, castles, and counties). The moderator is excellently pleased to the ears.

    One pron for me is that the developers want to keep the old-school graphic, and I think it is not acceptable for the 2021 title.    … Expand
  12. pion
    Jan 7, 2022
    0
    This game has the worst graphics of all the games I've played. The worst AOE of all time.
  13. TSTINKERS
    Dec 10, 2021
    3
    This game is poorly done. Graphics Suck. Game response slow. I am playing and not addicted. I'd rather play candy crush. AOE 2 and AOE 3 were great and I could play for hours. This one not so. I think the main problem is the units don't respond how you expect... like if you grab a treasure chest of 100 gold it's not like you walk over it and just get it. You have to click aThis game is poorly done. Graphics Suck. Game response slow. I am playing and not addicted. I'd rather play candy crush. AOE 2 and AOE 3 were great and I could play for hours. This one not so. I think the main problem is the units don't respond how you expect... like if you grab a treasure chest of 100 gold it's not like you walk over it and just get it. You have to click a certain way... it's frustrating.

    I didn't give is 0 because the history lessons in between the limited campaigns i did play are good.    … Expand
  14. fruittwist
    Jan 24, 2022
    3
    Просто натянули модельки на AoE II, для меня откровенная загадка как четвертая часть умудряется выглядеть хуже чем 3, специально только скачал 3 Def edition, графика ЛУЧШЕ, реально лучше. Как же нелепо выглядит когда 100 лучников подходит к дому и начинают се синхронно стрелять в центр здания, просто отвратительно, не понимаю за что такая хорошая оценка, видимо это тот случай когда наПросто натянули модельки на AoE II, для меня откровенная загадка как четвертая часть умудряется выглядеть хуже чем 3, специально только скачал 3 Def edition, графика ЛУЧШЕ, реально лучше. Как же нелепо выглядит когда 100 лучников подходит к дому и начинают се синхронно стрелять в центр здания, просто отвратительно, не понимаю за что такая хорошая оценка, видимо это тот случай когда на безрыбье и AoE 4 нормальная стратегия. Имхо неиграбельно, лучше предыдущие части. Ах да, еще очень интересное разделение по цивилизациям, русские орки в четвертой эпохе даже пушек не имеют, только требушеты строят, и когда английский флот приплывает на огромных кораблях с пушками, у нас лодки как в викингов и лучники.… Expand
  15. 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 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,    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 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    … Expand
  16. raboribus
    Oct 29, 2021
    0
    The graphics are bad, especially combat motion is very bad.
    The campaign is boring and the battle scene is not great.
  17. somedevsaregood
    Nov 2, 2021
    0
    So the devs called me sexest for not liking the voice actors voice. I thought it was bland and wasnt rough enough to bring me into the setting. Since i was a male i was discriminated just for critisms and called a sexest wich is also defamtion of character. This is illegal in the state i live in as well do to the lose of money paying for this product. Defemation is the lose of money andSo the devs called me sexest for not liking the voice actors voice. I thought it was bland and wasnt rough enough to bring me into the setting. Since i was a male i was discriminated just for critisms and called a sexest wich is also defamtion of character. This is illegal in the state i live in as well do to the lose of money paying for this product. Defemation is the lose of money and then telling others i was sexest. Im pro choice for womens rights and trans rights. But being called sexest cause i dont like the voice actor and was wondering when they were going to give a option to change the voice.
    So the game is actually bad as well and dont suggest to pay for this product at full price i say $10 on sale or game pass. Graphics are terrible, animations are terrible, AI pathing is bad, there is no option to turn off pop cap for a sandbox skirimish.
    All and all i say stay away from this game cause it was made by true sexest.    … Expand
  18. Lupercal_XVI
    Mar 25, 2023
    0
    Horrid cartoon art style and graphics with exaggerated proportions and low detail models. Probably because this pile of dog water is coming to consoles.

    Story missions should have been like previous games instead of this pseudo documentary immersion breaking format. MP is a wall/cannon spam fest with some maps too big for any sort of early skirmishes and now there even seems to be    Horrid cartoon art style and graphics with exaggerated proportions and low detail models. Probably because this pile of dog water is coming to consoles.

    Story missions should have been like previous games instead of this pseudo documentary immersion breaking format.

    MP is a wall/cannon spam fest with some maps too big for any sort of early skirmishes and now there even seems to be resource hacks.

    But what would you expect from lelic the team that destroyed DoW....    … Expand
  19. JohnLSD
    Oct 30, 2021
    0
    Terrible graphics, nothing new, many missing features and QOL. If this game would've been released in 1997 nobody would've bought it. Probably everything that is missing now will be added behind a pay wall. 60 euro for this and 120 euros for a complete game (like AoE 2)... totally not worth it.
  20. charmingdruid9
    Nov 2, 2021
    4
    +the graphics are amazing
    -moving is clunky and has no wasd option
    -the games currently balanced for early game rush to hide the lack of end game content
    -lack of civs and campaigns
  21. Paulvern
    Nov 1, 2021
    4
    If it was the first chapter I would have given a solid 10. But it's the 4th and it's worse than the second and the third.
    At the moment it has a lot of bugs (oh yes AoE 3 had a lot of bugs and still have, but I paid 10 EUR for it, not 60). Just to mention some of the most common bugs, units jump on and off walls at random (they seem to teleport!), units don't know where to go in the    If it was the first chapter I would have given a solid 10. But it's the 4th and it's worse than the second and the third.
    At the moment it has a lot of bugs (oh yes AoE 3 had a lot of bugs and still have, but I paid 10 EUR for it, not 60). Just to mention some of the most common bugs, units jump on and off walls at random (they seem to teleport!), units don't know where to go in the middle of a forest, many units don't even defend themselves if you don't command them to attack the enemy.
    Graphics are bad, I mean not only not better than 15 years ago but much more paler, everything seems as if a veil of fog is covering everything.
    The campaign is long but definitely not interesting. You won't command the same character for more than two missions and if you let he die during the mission, no problem, the mission will go on anyway. There isn't any story, just history. And it may be interesting to see how medieval weapons worked but I would have appreciated a story, a character to follow and a civilization to develop.
    Every mission is just 'defend the castle', 'attack the castle' and the only strategy is to make siege weapons and a lot of soldiers, gain meter by meter and destroy the enemy. Many missions can be finished without ever lowering the maximum number of units at your disposal.
    And that is the next big problem. With a cap of 200 nothing seems real, big battles seem just mock battles done by a poor guy with some plastic soldiers on a pale carpet.
    There are just a bunch of civilizations and at least two or three of them are practically the same.

    Multiplayer is not bad at all and if you can find a bunch of friends to play with, the game will give you some joy. But AoE II or III will give you the same or more joy.
    Improve the performance, add more civilizations and resolve some bugs, then sell it at 30 EUR and you will have a good game. Now it has too few for too much money.    … Expand
  22. Sanya09511
    Oct 29, 2021
    4
    Very bad grapchic. Bored gameplay... Not to bad Multiplayer...
    I am not recomend this game for new players
  23. vitala
    Oct 30, 2021
    0
    Weak storyline, mediocre and boring gameplay, poor optimization. You can pass by, you will not lose anything.
  24. IronOverlord
    Oct 29, 2021
    0
    This newest entry into the franchise got rid of everything that was added between II and III. The only difference between this game and AoE II is an increased distinction between factions. I have never seen such a large step backwards in a game series I had previously adored.
  25. Spyken
    Oct 30, 2021
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Game got this unfinished fealing and do not live up to his expectation of a age of empire franchise.

    Units responsiveness is low.

    Physique of projectile are lob homing missile, that belong in modern time, played in a medieval era, showing the mediocre skill of the developper, in making the game historicaly acurate.

    The siege weapon are roaming like mecanize tank, on auto pilote.

    All in game units are solid like buildings, not able to push other units around.

    All units are not affected by enemy attack. Cavalery stop charge when attacking, showing a lack of figthing knowlege of medieval time.

    Farms require no maintenance.

    Tree do not regrow.

    There is no season change and no day/nigth.

    Animal do not reproduce.

    The Animal are static being that do not move around or affected by other annimal.

    It is well known that roads help speed up movement of units, but the in game roads are only a automated paint on land, like the decoration around every building.

    Building can't be build together to wall in city, like in medieval time, but building are spaced like in modern time.

    All building are square.

    Golden gosth are not place older for units to work, but only a ugly speed up art, that people can't see.

    Fire animation so much not noticable that developper need to hadd a icon over it.

    Units look all the same.

    In play naration is monotone and wave away any interess to the game moment.

    Players can't select their color.

    Map and units editor is not avalable at lunch.

    The art compilation is ony one picture, scaming players who buy delux edition for it.

    The coat of arm is too simplistic to be a feature.

    The game feal like a age of empire 0,5 then a age of empire 4.    … Expand
  26. RicardoDavid
    Oct 29, 2021
    1
    Campaigns suck. They should learn a bit more from latest AOE2 campaigns. The documentaries are nice though. Also, there are too many bugs, seems like a release from a small studio.
  27. Flandmor
    Oct 31, 2021
    1
    It's funny when in 2021 there is no language change, but it is tied to the system. Maybe I want to go through the game in French? Now what should I change the system language for the sake of this?
  28. inquisitor1009
    Oct 30, 2021
    0
    The piece of garbage:

    graphics 0/10 -> 2010 year
    animation 0/10 -> 1990 year
    physics 0/10 -> 1999 year
    campaign 0/10
    progress from previous games -100/10

    "We had the remaster assets and we used them." The Game's quality for $ 10 a month from Microsoft.
  29. Nikita_Myshov
    Aug 2, 2022
    4
    A big request to make the Russian voice-over for the game, as it is very inconvenient to read the subtitles, as I'm visually impaired.
  30. zmija1
    Sep 7, 2023
    1
    very bad graphic browser like men not visual good slow responsive screen units ,not recommended an multiplyer no players at all
  31. Gilchristion
    Aug 9, 2023
    0
    Not even 1 tenth of the game of its predecessors and not engaging. Just get anything else or one of the older games in the series this one isnt it.
  32. Lumpendoktor
    Jul 31, 2022
    2
    Graphic:
    I personally don't think the proportions are right. The hotkey menu with epoch-sorted buildings takes a lot of getting used to. I found the division into civil and military from the old predecessor to be considerably more convenient - especially with the new hotkeys in the DE.
    The graphic style is way too comical. The gold looks weird, the stones are kinda weird. However, I    Graphic:
    I personally don't think the proportions are right. The hotkey menu with epoch-sorted buildings takes a lot of getting used to. I found the division into civil and military from the old predecessor to be considerably more convenient - especially with the new hotkeys in the DE.
    The graphic style is way too comical. The gold looks weird, the stones are kinda weird. However, I think fields, buildings, forests and most units are okay. The animations are all very smart too.
    What surprises me:
    There are no race-specific differences between the camps. And they also don't change their appearance when epoch advancement - why?
    The mill in AoE II is derived from a donkey mill to a windmill. I thought that was very nice.
    In addition, the buildings were mostly race-specific - here, as I said: not.

    Audio Creation:
    Very clever, little criticism. Except that the fields burn for too long and the noise really gets on my nerves.

    Cards:
    The map selection looks spartan. The cards that are there are playable.Example Black Forest - today's "Dark Forest":
    Yes, we were used to having - to use MOBA jargon - lanes to the enemy. These are almost still there. The problem is that they are built like labyrinths. Far too probable, with no natural expression. One could also say: They are rigid. Sometimes the lane has a perfect right angle. There are hardly any curves or bulges. And exactly in the middle there are two clearings, each with a holy place.
    Yes, of course: balance-technically definitely understandable. Only: Isn't it that the cards are SO obvious?
    Why should I play with a face down card? Seriously: I don't discover anything new anyway. If you know one, you know them all. Yes, the resources are slightly different from time to time. But the maps always have the same structure.
    AI:
    Well, I'm a PvE player, so I often play AI vs AI. For me, AoE simply means playing a round in peace to switch off your head and just do something else instead of studying/work and so on. It's my - yes, even if AoE is the most hectic RTS in the world next to StarCraft - resting place.
    Admittedly, the enemy AI !can! be demanding. So far I've played on hard and very hard and I did have my problems at first - I guess it was the warming up though. All in all, the AI ​​is okay as an enemy.
    As an ally, however? Absolute crap!
    Just played a round of Black Forest with the Chinese. Because you can build quite a lot of landmarks as a Chinese, you need a relatively large amount of space. And so that the tax collectors can collect money, it would be nice if you could somehow get your buildings close together.
    The planning itself also worked. Until my ally, for reasons I couldn't understand, came up with the bright idea "Hey! I'll build a second base. In my ally's base! And grab their berries. And their rocks. And their gold!" - Yes! That's what the AI ​​did in AoE II too.
    And in principle I have no problem with stealing resources. Had my ally been in distress it would have spread to me to rebuild - no problem, total understanding. Because I was calm and able to defend him - !in front of the enemy base! - there was no reason to nest with me. There was no reason to pave his fort IN THE CENTER of my village, or put two mills next to my berries, that I didn't even have the option to plant my mill fields because his mills were in the way.
    In AoE II: No Thing - Onager out, click ax icon, demolish ally's buildings.
    Alternatively in the Definitive Edition: Chat on, 69, pling on the building. "Tear down the building at this position" - Römms - done.
    This allowed you to control the AI ​​a little, especially in the Definitive Edition. That worked great.
    Guess what's not possible in AoE IV.

    1. Use onagers to correct such stupid construction errors
    2. Give orders to the AI ​​via chat.
    God knows if the AI ​​even notices plings. Because while the AI ​​in AoE II always reacted in the chat ("A little wood please" - "Right away, sire!" *Palim* 100/1000 wood came as a tribute, or "Attack the enemy from this position" - "It can I'm not, sire"), the AI ​​doesn't react at all.
    In AoE III - what mmn. was also a flop - at least the AI ​​had some character by taunting the player. But she doesn't do that anymore either.
    She is there. There is no option to interact with her. She is just there.
    Minus point to the power of 10!
    But since I can only complain about the ally AI, I will return to AoE II here as well.

    Campaign:
    Documentaries are nice. They are fun and I read a lot of texts from the story section in AoE II as well.
    Personally, I think it's okay that you unlock short documentaries with every mission - even if I think that the videos should be available from the start via a "story" section.
    But: When I play a campaign, I actually expect - preferably historically accurate - that the story is told either from the point of view of a soldier through cutscenes, as in AoE II from the heroic point of view.    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

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

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
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
  1. Riot Pixels
    Feb 23, 2022
    70
    Age of Empires 4 is based on a solid foundation created way back during the last millennium, but it suffers from a plethora of annoying little flaws and drawbacks. Some of them will be fixed with patches and maybe future DLCs, if we’re lucky, but even then, it’s a far cry from the stellar Age of Empires 2.
    Read full review
  2. LEVEL (Czech Republic)
    Feb 18, 2022
    80
    A very decent sequel of a great series that builds up on its legacy rather than dramatically changing it. Enjoy eight very different experiences for each playable nation as you go through their most significant historical periods in great detail.
  3. Gaming Nexus
    Jan 27, 2022
    88
    A solid campaign and endless customization for single-player, co-op and online play, Age of Empires IV deserves a ton of credit for making turn-based strategy a treat to play.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »