Age of Empires IV Critic Reviews

A triumphant return for the strategy series, and well worth the wait.

Age of Empires 4 is a bold and ambitious evolution of the series, and quite likely one of the best RTS games ever made.

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.

I would not hesitate to recommend any RTS fan purchase this ASAP… the price is high… but this is unquestionably a title that earns the triple A moniker… you can really see the money invested in the production values and the polish. Even if you are just a history fan with a passing interest in gaming, I’d still say this is a must buy for the exceptional documentary videos throughout. I’d keep raving about it… but I have to mount my horse and fend off another attack on my castle!

Age of Empires helped define an entire genre, and under the steady hand of RTS masters Relic Entertainment, it may once again wear that crown -- Age of Empires IV is that good.

Age of Empires IV isn’t something strictly for fans, there’s no accrued history you need to know before jumping in. It does however feel like a natural extension of Age of Empires II’s brilliance -- and for that does feel like the return of something great. What you’ve got here is a modern progression of the age-old, well, Age of Empires formula with all of the style and depth you could hope for. As a foundation for more campaigns, more maps, and more of everything to come it’s exciting. The documentary approach to the four campaigns on offer is not only a winner, but a confident step forward for the series. Historical warfare with an eye toward the educational. Age of Empires IV is not only one of the very best slices of real-time strategy gaming, period, it’s a candidate for best game of 2021.

Age of Empires IV is everything fans want and more. The great return of the RTS series is phenomenal

Age of Empires IV is, in almost every way, a true sequel to Age of Empires II. It plays great and has a few new features that add more tactical elements to combat and how you develop your faction. On factions, it truly allows them to differentiate themselves from each other. There are slight issues, such as the population cap that feels very restrictive and the lower-quality of unit models, but these are minor in what is an otherwise outstanding game, and one where an undeniable amount of effort and work has gone into - which includes hours of documentary-style clips to support the campaign.

A few months ago, Humankind was presented as a candidate to become the benchmark of turn-based strategy for the next few years. Now, with a similar love for the story, but with a different tone, Age of Empires IV arrives to reposition the franchise in the Olympus of RTS. A title that knows how to pick up and update the essence of the saga, and that is the basis of a resurgence that seems to have a long life ahead of it. If you like the genre, clear your diaries.

Age of Empire IV is everything a fan of the series could wish for: it renews the formula without overdoing it and respecting the past, it offers four unforgettable campaigns and the multiplayer is bound to shine. Welcome Back AOE!

Age of Empires 4 is a game that you will never get tired from playing, regardless of whether you're an old-school fan or a rookie. There are always new plans to follow and new strategies to take into account and it's worth the 16 year wait.

Age of Empires IV feels like some necessary fresh air that manages to maintain the essence of the classics without too much innovation. At the same time, it is actually a step forward towards what the community has been asking for in the last few years. The series is back with the utmost care by Relic Entertainment, displaying a commendable work like not many others. AOE is back once again.

Age of Empires 4 is an exemplary return of the great series to its roots and an excellent basis for future additions.

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

Age of Empires 4 is the perfect mix of old and new and I really think the legions of fans who’ve been waiting ever so patiently for 16 years for a new entry in this storied franchise will find much to love here.

Age of Empires IV is a dream-come-true for all the fans of the franchise. It has everything we wanted, most of the things we hoped for, it is accessible to newcomers and challenging to the veterans. It is built with great attention to detail and obvious passion. If we sift the game through the finest sieve, we will find some issues here and there, mostly in graphical elements and in the slight hesitation of the devs to be innovative. We will do so, though, since we always ask for the best we can have and Relic is the one who can make it happen.

Age of Empires IV makes a safe bet putting all in on series' classic gameplay, with some new things here and there, but not risking a cent. If you're an all time fan of AoE you'll enjoy it for sure, but if you were one of those waiting for a revolution on the series, or at least a step forward, here you won't find it.

The overall performance of Age of Empires IV is very steady, retaining some of the classic design of the series, but also adding some improvements that speed up the pace of the game. The new documentary cutscene is an excellent attempt, and the fully evolved sound and graphics performance makes the battlefield more immersive.

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.

Despite some relatively minor issues, especially in the graphical compartment, Age of Empires IV is an excellent new chapter in the history of one of the most beloved RTS sagas. Relic Entertainment and World's Edge kept true to the roots of the series while at the same time not forgetting to innovate the formula in interesting and creative ways.