Age of Empires IV (2021)

Noodles

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Feb 28, 2011
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Released: Autumn 2021
Platforms: PC & XBOX
Purchase:
TBA



There's a new presentation style for Age of Empire 4's campaigns that draws inspiration from gilded manuscripts of the time. The "golden soldiers" project historical events over present-day real-world locations and aim to provide a realistic sense of place in how events unfolded hundreds of years ago. Microsoft said it's all very BBC documentary.

Here's the official blurb on the Norman campaign:

"The Norman campaign will tell the story of Duke William of Normandy as he wrestles control of England from King Harold, starting at the Battle of Hastings, then later following his descendants Robert, William II, and Henry I as they continue to fight for what would become modern day England. All the classic medieval units were shown here in action, from knights on horseback engaging with pikemen across large fields of battle capped off with a great looking castle siege."

Age of Empires 4 has four ages: Medieval, Feudal, Castle, and Imperial. Civilisations revealed include the English, the Chinese, the Mongols, and the Delhi Sultanate. Eight playable civilisations are planned for launch.

There's a new stealth forest mechanic. This involves unique patches of forest that units can hide within to set up ambushes. Sight into and within these forest areas is severely limited, meaning armies could move right past each other and never see the other. You know your units are in stealth woods by the blue outline around them and their whispered responses.

Meanwhile, Age of Empires 2: Definitive Edition gets the Dawn of the Dukes expansion this summer. This takes players to Eastern Europe with new campaigns. Later this year, Age of Empires 2: Definitive Edition gets co-op historical battles that feature handpicked campaign missions and historical battles to play with friends.

And finally, on 13th April Age of Empires 3: Definitive Edition gets its first major update, the United States civilisation. This new civ features a new home city, nine new units, a new age-up mechanic, and more. The US civilisation is free for a limited time for those who complete a 50 State Challenge (players need to complete up to three challenges per day and unlock the civ on the completion of the last challenge). Alternatively, the US civilisation can also be bought as premium DLC. Another update for Age of Empires 3: Definitive Edition is planned for later this year, and includes African civilisations.



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Played so many hours of these back in the day :whistle:
Really looking forward to the release of this one as it's been a long time since I've played AOE.
Just hope they have kept the gameplay how it was and they haven't changed too much :thumbs:
 
Played so many hours of these back in the day :whistle:
Really looking forward to the release of this one as it's been a long time since I've played AOE.
Just hope they have kept the gameplay how it was and they haven't changed too much :thumbs:
The graphics and mechanics look pretty nice tbpo, I wouldn't mind playing this but I feel like I might lose interest pretty quick though. Worth a shot. :)
 
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The graphics and mechanics look pretty nice tbpo, I wouldn't mind playing this but I feel like I might lose interest pretty quick though. Worth a shot. :)
Yeah, that's the only problem. Can it hold the interest like it used to, I haven't played this in years so my gaming interests have really changed over the years.
 
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Yeah, that's the only problem. Can it hold the interest like it used to, I haven't played this in years so my gaming interests have really changed over the years.

If it's well done it can hook you up badly and make you lose hours upon hours. I remember when I tried Civ 6 on PC. It's been 10 years or so since I played a strategy game and when I tried Civ 6 I was hooked for days. And man time was flying lol especially when every new level or game can differ from your previous one.
 
If it's well done it can hook you up badly and make you lose hours upon hours. I remember when I tried Civ 6 on PC. It's been 10 years or so since I played a strategy game and when I tried Civ 6 I was hooked for days. And man time was flying lol especially when every new level or game can differ from your previous one.
Haha, I know that feeling mate :whistle: :D I more than likely will be hooked pretty quickly as I used to love these games.
The last strategy that I played wars Halo wars 2 and that was pretty good, just wasn't long enough.
 
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