Software:Age of Empires IV
| Age of Empires IV | |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | |
| Publisher(s) | Xbox Game Studios |
| Director(s) |
|
| Producer(s) |
|
| Designer(s) |
|
| Programmer(s) |
|
| Artist(s) |
|
| Writer(s) |
|
| Composer(s) |
|
| Series | Age of Empires |
| Engine | Essence Engine 5.0 |
| Platform(s) |
|
| Release |
|
| 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, and the first installment not developed by Ensemble Studios. The game was released on October 28, 2021 for Windows, August 22, 2023 for Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S, and is set to be released on November 4, 2025 for PlayStation 5.[1][2]
Gameplay
Setting
The developer team states that the game is set during the Early Middle Ages to the early Renaissance,[3] with the earliest appearance of any civilization being in the year 750.
Civilizations
There are 18 civilizations available in the game, with ten being available with the purchase of the base game, known as Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition, and six with The Sultans Ascend expansion, with four of the expansion civilizations being "variant civilizations" that are changed versions of other previously released civilizations.[4] Two variant civilizations were added with Knights of Cross and Rose expansion, and four more will be added with Dynasties of the East expansion.
There were eight civilizations available at the original release of the game.[5] Two civilizations, the Ottomans and Malians, were added on 25 October 2022, a year after release, for free.[6]
| At release of the game | DLC |
|---|---|
|
Anniversary Update
The Sultans Ascend
Knights of Cross and Rose
Dynasties of the East
|
Campaigns
The game has six single-player campaigns (one available with The Sultans Ascend DLC):[8]
- The Rise of a King (exclusive to console versions): a tutorial campaign, focusing on the basics of the game (1047–1066)
- The Normans: about the Norman conquest of England and conflicts of subsequent English kings (1066–1217)
- The Hundred Years War: a conflict between England and France (1351–1450)
- The Rise of Moscow: about the rise of Grand Duchy of Moscow amongst other Rus' principalities, Lithuania and the Tatars (1238–1552)
- The Mongol Empire: expansion of one of the largest empires of all time (1223–1273)
- The Sultans Ascend: Crusades from the perspective of the Muslims (1111–1426) - available with the DLC
Ages
The game features four Ages, the same as those in Age of Empires II — Dark Age, Feudal Age, Castle Age, and Imperial Age. Advancing through Ages does not happen at the Town Center but by constructing Landmarks.
Buildings
Most civilizations have the same roster of buildings:
- Economic - Farm, House, Lumber Camp, Mill, Mining Camp, Market, Town Center
- Military - Archery Range, Barracks, Dock, Siege Workshop, Stable
- Technology - Blacksmith, University/Madrasa
- Defensive - Keep, Outpost, Palisade Wall, Palisade Gate, Stone Wall, Stone Wall Gate, Stone Wall Tower
- Religious - Monastery, Mosque, Prayer Tent
- Wonder
Civilizations have replacement buildings which fill the same role differently and are available to only that civilization. They may also have unique buildings.
Landmarks
In addition, every civilization with the exception of the Abbasid Dynasty, Ayyubids, and Knights Templar have four landmarks (the starting town center plus one each in Feudal, Castle, and Imperial Ages). Each landmark is special in its own way and building any one advances them to the next Age.
The Chinese are unique in that they can build both of their landmarks to enable a Dynasty. The Abbasid Dynasty has a single landmark, the House of Wisdom, with the option of four wings that can be researched in any order. Researching any wing will cause advancement to the next age, except the fourth wing which can be researched but does not advance them to a fifth age. Similarly, the Ayyubids, a variant civilization of the Abbasid Dynasty, can choose from one of two options for each wing when advancing to the next age in the House of Wisdom. Knights Templar are also unique in having only a single landmark, the starting town center, being the only civilization to advance to the next age via researching it in their starting town center.
Development
On August 21, 2017, Microsoft announced Age of Empires IV, developed by Relic Entertainment.[9] 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.[10] On November 14, 2019, gameplay footage of Age of Empires IV was shown at the X019 event.[11] It showed medieval warfare between English and Mongol forces.[12][13] 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.[14] 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.[15] In-game music was written by Dynamedion composers Tilman Sillescu (main theme, menu music, trailers, Mongols, Holy Roman Empire), Alexander Röder (Chinese, English, Ottomans), Henning Nugel (Rus', Abbasid, Malians, Byzantines), Armin Haas (Delhi Sultanate, Malians), Christian Wirtz (Ottomans, Byzantines), Nicolai Patricio (Japanese), Dominik Morgenroth (Japanese) and also Mikolai Stroinski (French).[16][17] The soundtrack is also available as part of the additional content of the Digital Deluxe Edition on Steam.[18]
Expansions
The game received a free expansion with its one-year anniversary update on 25 October 2022, which added two new civilizations, the Ottomans and Malians.[19]
A second expansion, titled The Sultans Ascend, was released on 14 November 2023, including two new civilizations, the Byzantines and Japanese, in addition to four variant civilizations which feature Jeanne d'Arc, the Order of the Dragon, Zhu Xi, and the Ayyubids, and a new 8-mission campaign.[20]
A third expansion, titled Knights of Cross and Rose, was released on 8 April 2025, including two new variant civilizations, namely Knights Templar and House of Lancaster, and a new singleplayer game mode Historical Battles.[21]
A fourth expansion, titled Dynasties of the East, is to be released on 4 November 2025, including four new variant civilizations, namely Golden Horde, Macedonian Dynasty, Sengoku Daimyo and Tughlaq Dynasty, and a new roguelite singleplayer game mode The Crucible.[22]
Reception
| Reception | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The game received "generally favorable reviews" according to review aggregator Metacritic.[23]
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."[33] Rachel Weber of GamesRadar+ praised the variety of the civilizations, writing, "each has been meticulously designed to offer different gameplay experiences".[34] 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".[35] 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."[36]
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".[37] 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".[38] 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".[39]
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".[40] Polygon felt the simplifications from Age of Empire II'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".[41] 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 innovation regarding the standard Age of Empires formula, saying that the game "rarely ventures out of its comfort zone".[26]
Awards and accolades
Age of Empires IV won the award for "Best Sim/Strategy Game" at The Game Awards 2021.[42] It also won the award for "Strategy/Simulation Game of the Year" at the 25th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards.[43]
References
- ↑ 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". https://www.gematsu.com/2022/10/age-of-empires-ii-definitive-edition-coming-to-xbox-series-and-xbox-one-on-january-31-2023-age-of-empires-iv-in-2023.
- ↑ Spear, Rebecca (2023-08-22). "Age of Empires 4 for Xbox is available today on Game Pass" (in en). https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/age-of-empires-4-for-xbox-is-available-today-on-game-pass.
- ↑ Scott-Jones, Richard (November 15, 2019). "Age of Empires 4 starts earlier and finishes later than Age of Empires II". PCGamesN. https://www.pcgamesn.com/age-of-empires-4/time-period.
- ↑ Civilizations, January 27, 2024, https://www.ageofempires.com/games/age-of-empires-iv/civilizations/
- ↑ (in en) Age of Empires 4's First Civilizations, Campaign, and Gameplay Details Revealed - IGN, April 10, 2021, https://www.ign.com/articles/age-of-empires-4s-first-civilizations-campaign-and-gameplay-details-revealed, retrieved April 11, 2021
- ↑ Bailey, Kat (23 August 2022). "Age of Empires 4 Confirmed to be Getting Two New Civs at Gamescom Opening Night Live". https://www.ign.com/articles/age-of-empires-4-confirmed-to-be-getting-two-new-civs-at-gamescom-opening-night-live.
- ↑ Age of Empires IV — Age of Empires, https://www.ageofempires.com/games/age-of-empires-iv/, retrieved April 18, 2021
- ↑ "Age of Empires IV Achievements Revealed". Xbox News. 2021-10-11. https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2021/10/11/age-of-empires-iv-achievements-revealed/.
- ↑ Matulef, Jeffery (August 21, 2017). "Age of Empires 4 revealed with Relic at the helm". Eurogamer. http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2017-08-22-age-of-empires-4-revealed-with-relic-at-the-helm.
- ↑ Roberts, Samuel (June 11, 2019). "Age of Empires 4 is 'making good progress', and Microsoft will talk about it later this year". PC Gamer. https://www.pcgamer.com/age-of-empires-4-is-making-good-progress-and-microsoft-will-talk-about-it-later-this-year/.
- ↑ "Catch up on the biggest X019 news right here" (in en). November 14, 2019. https://www.windowscentral.com/x019-everything-xbox-announced-london.
- ↑ "Age of Empires IV is set in the medieval era, gameplay trailer released" (in en). https://www.neowin.net/news/age-of-empires-iv-is-set-in-the-medieval-era-gameplay-trailer-released.
- ↑ "Xbox Nails Age of Empires IV Setting With Medieval Era Warfare" (in en-US), CCN.com, November 15, 2019, https://www.ccn.com/xbox-nails-age-empires-iv-medieval-warfare/, retrieved November 17, 2019
- ↑ "Age of Empires 4 releases this October". June 13, 2021. https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2021-06-13-age-of-empires-4-releases-this-october.
- ↑ "Language Log". https://languagelog.ldc.upenn.edu/nll/?p=52458.
- ↑ "Age of Empires IV – DYNAMEDION". https://dynamedion.com/news/age-of-empires-iv/.
- ↑ Sillescu, Tilman. "Tilman Sillescu - Exciting times, now that the biggest...". https://www.facebook.com/tilman.sillescu/posts/10220705841581925.
- ↑ "Buy Now - Age of Empires" (in en-US). May 4, 2017. https://www.ageofempires.com/buy-now/.
- ↑ "Age of Empires IV – Season Three: Update 24916". Age of Empires. 2022. https://www.ageofempires.com/news/age_of_empires_iv_update_24916_season3/.
- ↑ "The Sultans Ascend: Variant Civilizations Deep Dive". Age of Empires. 25 September 2023. https://www.ageofempires.com/news/the-sultans-ascend-variant-civilizations-deep-dive/.
- ↑ "Dive Into the Action of Age of Empires IV: Knights of Cross and Rose". Age of Empires. 10 March 2025. https://www.ageofempires.com/news/new_dlc-age-iv-knights-of-cross-and-rose/.
- ↑ "Announcing Age of Empires IV on PlayStation 5 and New Expansion – Pre-Order Now!". Age of Empires. 20 August 2025. https://www.ageofempires.com/news/pre-order-dynasties-of-the-east-and-age-of-empires-iv-coming-to-playstation/.
- ↑ 23.0 23.1 "Age of Empires IV for PC Reviews". Red Ventures. https://www.metacritic.com/game/age-of-empires-iv/critic-reviews/?platform=pc.
- ↑ Tack, Daniel. "Age of Empires IV Review - The Once And Possibly Future King". Game Informer. https://www.gameinformer.com/review/age-of-empires-iv/age-of-empires-iv-review-the-once-and-possibly-future-king.
- ↑ Faulkner, Jason (26 October 2021). "Age of Empires 4 Review: 'Too old school for its own good'". https://www.gamerevolution.com/review/695772-age-of-empires-4-review-worth-it-pc.
- ↑ 26.0 26.1 Bonthuys, Darryn (8 November 2021). "Age of Empires IV Review - Resistance is Feudal". https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/age-of-empires-iv-review-resistance-is-feudal/1900-6417782/.
- ↑ Zak, Robert (24 October 2021). "Age of Empires 4 review: "History, carnage, and teeny weeny elephants - it has it all"". https://www.gamesradar.com/age-of-empires-4-review/.
- ↑ Wells, Cory (25 October 2021). "Review: Age of Empires IV". https://hardcoregamer.com/reviews/review-age-of-empires-iv/413130/.
- ↑ Hafer, Leana (October 25, 2021). "Age of Empires 4 Review – An overly safe but enjoyable RTS throwback". https://www.ign.com/articles/age-of-empires-4-review.
- ↑ Zak, Robert (24 October 2021). "Age of Empires 4 review". https://www.pcgamer.com/age-of-empires-4-review/.
- ↑ Boudreau, Ian (25 October 2021). "Age of Empires 4 review – return of the king". https://www.pcgamesn.com/age-of-empires-4/review-pc.
- ↑ Tapsell, Chris (December 17, 2021). "Age of Empires 4 review - the classic RTS rediscovered and restored". https://www.eurogamer.net/age-of-empires-4-review-the-classic-rts-rediscovered-and-restored.
- ↑ Hafer, Leana (October 25, 2021). "Age of Empires 4 Review - IGN" (in en). IGN. https://www.ign.com/articles/age-of-empires-4-review.
- ↑ Weber, Rachel (2021-10-25). "Age of Empires 4 review: "History, carnage, and teeny weeny elephants - it has it all"" (in en). https://www.gamesradar.com/age-of-empires-4-review/.
- ↑ Tack, Daniel. "Age of Empires IV Review - The Once And Possibly Future King" (in en). Game Informer. https://www.gameinformer.com/review/age-of-empires-iv/age-of-empires-iv-review-the-once-and-possibly-future-king. Retrieved 2021-11-09.
- ↑ "Age of Empires IV (PC) Review - CGMagazine" (in en-CA). October 25, 2021. https://www.cgmagonline.com/review/game/age-of-empires-4-pc-review/.
- ↑ "Review | 'Age of Empires IV' is the History Channel in game form. Just don't take it literally." (in en-US). Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/reviews/age-of-empires-4-review/.
- ↑ "Age of Empires 4 review — A learning experience" (in en). 2021-10-25. https://www.vg247.com/age-of-empires-4-review-a-learning-experience.
- ↑ "Age of Empires 4 review – return of the king" (in en-GB). October 25, 2021. https://www.pcgamesn.com/age-of-empires-4/review-pc.
- ↑ Zak, Robert (2021-10-25). "Age of Empires 4 review" (in en). https://www.pcgamer.com/age-of-empires-4-review/.
- ↑ Goslin, Austen (2021-10-25). "Age of Empires 4 revives the series' brilliance" (in en-US). https://www.polygon.com/22739294/age-of-empires-4-review-pc-game-pass-microsoft.
- ↑ Bankhurst, Adam (10 December 2021). "The Game Awards 2021 Winners: The Full List". https://www.ign.com/articles/the-game-awards-2021-winners-revealed.
- ↑ Bankhurst, Adam (February 25, 2022). "DICE Awards 2022 Winners: The Full List". https://www.ign.com/articles/dice-awards-2022-how-to-watch-all-the-nominees-and-what-to-expect-winners.
External links
- No URL found. Please specify a URL here or add one to Wikidata.
- MobyGames is a commercial database website that catalogs information on video games and the people and companies behind them via crowdsourcing. This includes over 300,000 games for hundreds of platforms.[1] Founded in 1999, ownership of the site has changed hands several times. It has been owned by Atari SA since 2022.
Features
Edits and submissions to the site (including screenshots, box art, developer information, game summaries, and more) go through a verification process of fact-checking by volunteer "approvers".[2] This lengthy approval process after submission can range from minutes to days or months.[3] The most commonly used sources are the video game's website, packaging, and credit screens. There is a published standard for game information and copy-editing.[4] A ranking system allows users to earn points for contributing accurate information.[5]
Registered users can rate and review games. Users can create private or public "have" and "want" lists, which can generate a list of games available for trade with other registered users. The site contains an integrated forum. Each listed game can have its own sub-forum.
History

MobyGames was founded on March 1, 1999, by Jim Leonard and Brian Hirt, and joined by David Berk 18 months later, the three of which had been friends since high school.[6][7] Leonard had the idea of sharing information about computer games with a larger audience. The database began with information about games for IBM PC compatibles, relying on the founders' personal collections. Eventually, the site was opened up to allow general users to contribute information.[5] In a 2003 interview, Berk emphasized MobyGames' dedication to taking video games more seriously than broader society and to preserving games for their important cultural influence.[5]
In mid-2010, MobyGames was purchased by GameFly for an undisclosed amount.[8] This was announced to the community post factum , and the site's interface was given an unpopular redesign.[7] A few major contributors left, refusing to do volunteer work for a commercial website.{{Citation needed|date=June 2025} On December 18, 2013, MobyGames was acquired by Jeremiah Freyholtz, owner of Blue Flame Labs (a San Francisco-based game and web development company) and VGBoxArt (a site for fan-made video game box art).[9] Blue Flame Labs reverted MobyGames' interface to its pre-overhaul look and feel,[10] and for the next eight years, the site was run by Freyholtz and Independent Games Festival organizer Simon Carless.[7]
On November 24, 2021, Atari SA announced a potential deal with Blue Flame Labs to purchase MobyGames for $1.5 million.[11] The purchase was completed on 8 March 2022, with Freyholtz remaining as general manager.[12][13][14] Over the next year, the financial boost given by Atari led to a rework of the site being built from scratch with a new backend codebase, as well as updates improving the mobile and desktop user interface.[1] This was accomplished by investing in full-time development of the site instead of its previously part-time development.[15]
In 2024, MobyGames began offering a paid "Pro" membership option for the site to generate additional revenue.[16] Previously, the site had generated income exclusively through banner ads and (from March 2014 onward) a small number of patrons via the Patreon website.[17]
See also
- IGDB – game database used by Twitch for its search and discovery functions
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sheehan, Gavin (2023-02-22). "Atari Relaunches The Fully Rebuilt & Optimized MobyGames Website". https://bleedingcool.com/games/atari-relaunches-the-fully-rebuilt-optimized-mobygames-website/.
- ↑ Litchfield, Ted (2021-11-26). "Zombie company Atari to devour MobyGames". https://www.pcgamer.com/zombie-company-atari-to-devour-mobygames/.
- ↑ "MobyGames FAQ: Emails Answered § When will my submission be approved?". Blue Flame Labs. 30 March 2014. http://www.mobygames.com/info/faq7#g1.
- ↑ "The MobyGames Standards and Practices". Blue Flame Labs. 6 January 2016. http://www.mobygames.com/info/standards.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Miller, Stanley A. (2003-04-22). "People's choice awards honor favorite Web sites". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
- ↑ "20 Years of MobyGames" (in en). 2019-02-28. https://trixter.oldskool.org/2019/02/28/20-years-of-mobygames/.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Plunkett, Luke (2022-03-10). "Atari Buys MobyGames For $1.5 Million". https://kotaku.com/mobygames-retro-credits-database-imdb-atari-freyholtz-b-1848638521.
- ↑ "Report: MobyGames Acquired By GameFly Media". Gamasutra. 2011-02-07. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/report-mobygames-acquired-by-gamefly-media.
- ↑ Corriea, Alexa Ray (December 31, 2013). "MobyGames purchased from GameFly, improvements planned". http://www.polygon.com/2013/12/31/5261414/mobygames-purchased-from-gamefly-improvements-planned.
- ↑ Wawro, Alex (31 December 2013). "Game dev database MobyGames getting some TLC under new owner". Gamasutra. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/game-dev-database-mobygames-getting-some-tlc-under-new-owner.
- ↑ "Atari invests in Anstream, may buy MobyGames". November 24, 2021. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-11-24-atari-invests-in-anstream-may-buy-mobygames.
- ↑ Rousseau, Jeffrey (2022-03-09). "Atari purchases Moby Games". https://www.gamesindustry.biz/atari-purchases-moby-games.
- ↑ "Atari Completes MobyGames Acquisition, Details Plans for the Site's Continued Support". March 8, 2022. https://www.atari.com/atari-completes-mobygames-acquisition-details-plans-for-the-sites-continued-support/.
- ↑ "Atari has acquired game database MobyGames for $1.5 million" (in en-GB). 2022-03-09. https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/atari-has-acquired-game-database-mobygames-for-1-5-million/.
- ↑ Stanton, Rich (2022-03-10). "Atari buys videogame database MobyGames for $1.5 million". https://www.pcgamer.com/atari-buys-videogame-database-mobygames-for-dollar15-million/.
- ↑ Harris, John (2024-03-09). "MobyGames Offering “Pro” Membership". https://setsideb.com/mobygames-offering-pro-membership/.
- ↑ "MobyGames on Patreon". http://www.patreon.com/mobygames.
Wikidata has the property:
|
External links
- No URL found. Please specify a URL here or add one to Wikidata.
Warning: Default sort key "Age of Empires 4" overrides earlier default sort key "Mobygames".
