GamerTake
AI Powered Steam Review Summaries
Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition
Strategy
Single-player
Multi-player
PvP
Online PvP
Co-op
Online Co-op
Cross-Platform Multiplayer
Steam Achievements
Family Sharing

Celebrating its first year of delighting millions of global players, the award-winning and best-selling strategy franchise continues with Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition, putting you at the center of even more epic historical battles that shaped the world.

Developers: World's Edge Relic Entertainment Forgotten Empires Climax Studios
Publishers: Xbox Game Studios
Release Date: Oct 28, 2021
Price (USD): $15.99
Current Players: 6.1k

Links:  Steam Store  SteamDB

Very Positive(86%)
historical campaigns
strategic gameplay
multiplayer community
unique civilizations
immersive experience
graphics
AI difficulty
game updates
civilization uniqueness
technical issues
poor matchmaking
DLC content
unstable AI
absence of pause
The general sentiment around Age of Empires IV is largely positive for its engaging and strategic gameplay, strong replayability, and educational campaigns that add to the depth of the game. However, technical issues like crashes and desync errors are significant drawbacks, as well as poor matchmaking and AI that fails to meet expectations for some players. While the game's nostalgic elements and graphics are appealing to older fans, the reliance on paywalled DLC for additional content brings a negative aspect to the customer experience, highlighting a mixed reception on some fronts.

Positive Points

  • The game offers high replayability with its strategic gameplay and variety of civilizations, each with unique mechanics.
  • It retains the classic essence of the Age of Empires series while modernizing the graphics and adding new strategic elements.
  • The historical campaigns are engaging, educational, and feature documentary-style storytelling, which is a highlight for many players.
  • The multiplayer community is active, providing a competitive environment for real-time strategy enthusiasts.
  • Players appreciate the detailed graphics and sound design, which enhance the overall immersive experience of the game.

    • Negative Points

  • There are significant issues with game stability, including frequent crashes and desync errors, particularly in multiplayer mode.
  • Matchmaking is poorly balanced, often leading to mismatches where new players face much more experienced opponents.
  • Players criticize the game for lacking content compared to previous installments, particularly in the base game, with many features locked behind paywalled DLCs.
  • The AI is considered buggy and inadequate for a challenging single-player experience, breaking often or displaying poor strategic behavior.
  • Many players express dissatisfaction with the absence of an active pause feature, which they feel hampers the single-player experience.

    • Mixed Points

  • Graphics are a point of contention: while some players praise the modern aesthetic, others feel it lacks the charm and detail of earlier games.
  • The AI difficulty is mixed, with some players finding it too easy and others too hard, suggesting an inconsistency in how it is implemented.
  • The game's updates have received mixed feedback, with improvements in some areas overshadowed by the introduction of new imbalances or issues.
  • The uniqueness of civilizations is seen as both a strength and a weakness, as it introduces diversity but complicates balance and learning curves.

    • Common Themes

  • Nostalgia plays a big role in the enjoyment of the game, with many long-time fans of the series appreciating the modernization of a classic formula.
  • Many reviews draw comparisons between AoE IV and previous entries, notably AoE II, with mixed opinions on how well the latest installment holds up.
  • The game's educational component, through its campaigns and historical videos, is frequently highlighted as a positive feature.
  • The monetization model, particularly the use of DLCs to add core game features, is a common source of frustration among players.
    • Updated 8/19/2025, 12:01:43 AM UTC
    Leave feedback for this summary