Age of Empires 4

Overview

Age of Empires 4 builds greatly on the series' reputation that began in 1997. If you're a fan of RTS games, world history, or both, this should be an easy recommendation. With dozens of hours of campaign play, eight unique civilizations, hours of live docu-style video segments, and a ton of maps for skirmishes, there's no shortage of well-polished content to enjoy. Get it on its own or enjoy it through a subscription to Xbox Game Pass for PC.

-- As reviewed by WindowsCentral

TechSpot Metascore

Based on 6 expert reviews

Excellent:

2
Good:

3
Average:

1
Bad:

0

8.1

User Score

Based on 48,277 reviews
as rated by users

TechSpot is supported by its audience. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more.

Last revision on February 23, 2024

Reviewers Liked

A good mix of factions
Simple to understand, hard to master
17 skirmish maps, 8 unique civilizations at launch

Reviewers Didn't Like

Could use better unit management
Largely plays it safe
Ranked play and UGC tools not included at launch

Similar Games

Our editors hand-pick these games based on a broad criteria: similar games that cater to the same player base, or games that share similar themes, gameplay mechanics, or artistic styles.

Expert reviews and ratings

Those expecting a revolution may be disappointed, but Age of Empires IV is still a confident, deep, and hugely compelling return.

By God is a Geek on October 25, 2021

The actual combat can get awkward, but the strategy of exposing strengths versus weaknesses seem greater here than in the past. While there are currently only eight of these empires to choose from, there’s a greater detail on each. Age of Empires IV makes up for the misstep of the third game while providing fans of the first two with everything they could have hoped for in a 2021 version. Hours will go by and you won’t even know it, which is the way RTS titles should be.

By HardcoreGamer on October 25, 2021

Age of Empires 4 plays it safe a bit too often, but really excels when it wanders outside of its very traditional comfort zone. The expansive campaigns and offbeat factions like the Mongols and the Rus are major highlights, even when it loses some of its sharpness to a small unit cap, frustrating pathfinding, and relatively unimpressive graphics for a 2021 game.

By IGN on October 25, 2021

Polishing a classic formula without revolutionising it, this is a robust package that includes something for just about every kind of RTS player, from beginners to grizzled veterans.

By PCGamesN on October 25, 2021

100

By WindowsCentral on October 25, 2021

A worthy new entry in the legendary series that’s equal parts progressive and dated.

By PCGamer on October 25, 2021

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.

By Polygon on October 25, 2021

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.

By Rock, Paper, Shotgun on October 25, 2021

Age of Empires 4

Overview

Pros & Cons

Reviews

Price: $20

TechSpot Metascore

User Score

Reviewers Liked

Reviewers Didn't Like

Similar Games

Total War: Warhammer 2

StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void

Crusader Kings 3

Iron Harvest

Age of Empires 3: Definitive Edition

Expert reviews and ratings