Is It WORTH IT? Age of Empires 4 BRUTALLY Honest Review

Age of Empires 4 is the next major installment in the Age of Empires series, but how is it actually? Does it manage to bring that AoE goodness while reinventing itself for a new age, or does it falter and stagnate like empires of old? Or perhaps something in between? Is it one of the best new strategy games of 2021, or not?
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[@GetDunkedJin]

Fantastic review; this is exactly why I haven't gone ahead and bought it myself - why would I go and buy a game that only has marginal differences to an existing one I bought recently (AoE2:DE) and over 15 years ago (AoE2)? I want to play RTS games again, but yet I am so over this style of RTS now; the genre needs to evolve, get bigger in scale, start to cut away the bullshit (bad pathfinding + clunky battle systems). No, that doesn't mean I want it to be re-invented to be more like a MOBA or an RPG (like some other guy suggested would happen if the formula were to be changed) or be exactly like TW, but with today's technology - that the old games didn't have - the series could be something so much more interesting and fresh yet still be recognisable. Being faithful to your roots doesn't mean don't attempt to innovate.

[@AndysTake]

EXACTLY. You put it really well. Evolving and IMPROVING does not mean becoming the literal worst thing in the world you can think of (which I imagine this person meant when they mentioned MOBAs). I believe we can indeed have our cake and eat it too, but the genre desperately needs to evolve away from the same old formula it’s been stuck in for literally over 20 years. Thank you for the comment, mate, really appreciate it.

[@stefanvolk3416]

I think the problem is mainly in the people who have different expectations from the game. Some want age2 style some say they want something new.. Its hard to win all... I think the campaign is the main + atm. And the factions what are very different.

[@SisterPatGoad]

$60.00....Really???? OMG

[@dopaminefighter8135]

lol i am playing it for $1 , can yall stop being so ignorant and just play the game, , its not a refresh God Of War game FFS !!! thank god they didn't change the game style, or else all the fun would have gone ! it would no longer feel like the Age of empires we used to play in 1990s

[@happycompy]

Couldn't agree more Benjin. I can't do Legacy RTS anymore...although I might make an exception for AOM2...

[@Grumbledookvid]

You didnt adrress the actual problems with the game: *Graphical/visual* • Lower geometric detail than SC2, a game from over 10 years ago. • Lower unit count than SC2, a game from over 10 years ago. • Low framerate animations • Lack of animation variation on units (most only have 1 attack animation, for example) • Censorship of blood and gore (I thought this was a historical game?) • Lack of map zoom out functionality • Lack of visual diversity amongst regions. • Environmental assets that wouldn't look out of place in a mobile game *Gameplay/features* • No scenario editor • No random map scripting • No custom AI • No scoreboard • No map filters • No unit guard mode • No unit patrol mode • No ability to choose player color • No ability to change teams mid-game • MAJOR performance optimization problems (watch digital foundry review)

[@AndysTake]

Yup, I could’ve mentioned all of this as well, but those points felt more nitpicky to me. But I absolutely agree.

[@dyllangraham9839]

@@AndysTake nitpicky? Your video was great and informative but everything he addressed here is exactly what's wrong with the game. Re-skinned aoe2 with 80% of the features/content removed and no doubt only to be added as DLC or patched in before its too little too late...

[@fcr8409]

Cav pathfinding, ui info and design, balance, etc

[@lostinthegrave7462]

So much stupid little shit that adds up. Really irks me you can't change your color and need to set the number of players for a match individually. Also no regicide or king of the hill. And shift clicking doesn't place a marker like the flag in previous games.

[@drawmaster77]

Is everyone ok with campaign missions? I am probably half-way through and they don't provide much in way of RTS. Every mission is basically "lead this group of units over here", "defend this hill", "take these knights and bum A-move on that village". Where is the 'S' in 'RTS' part? I liked when you just started with few villages and town center and built up an empire the way you wanted, not this mobile game crap for people with 5 second attention spans...

[@slicy9662]

All I wanted was an over all bigger game, more units bigger maps, but most games don't seem to push the boundaries, least games currently

[@AndysTake]

That's my thought as well. I wanted to see somewhat of a revolution or at least an evolution over the course of the past decade, but no. Just a few minor changes here and there. The faction diversity is nice, and it's fun in multiplayer, but AoE was always fun in the multiplayer. Might as well play the old games, more charming graphics too.

[@lusiada12]

@@AndysTake Remember when Age 4 was supposed to have all eras up to the modern one? Well i do, but they just recicled the people and ideas that made the remakes.

[@eodyn7]

@@lusiada12 the modern the combat, the more difficult it would be to do in that type of game.

[@Skumtomten1]

So much for 20+ years of technological development.

[@christopherboye5498]

Because people will buy it regardless. Therefore developers don't need to take risks and thus no change will come. It's why I don't play much modern games anymore, as they all feel stagnant in ideas and gameplay execution.

[@TiGGowich]

Seen it, played it, and it was exactly what I thought.... boring and disappointing. Idk why this game was even developped... it looks shit, plays shit, adds nothing new to the game... idk how anybody can praise this game. There are literally dozens of games like this that are better ... some of them 10+ years old. Sorry but age 4 is a catastrophic failure. Uninspired, boring, unimaginative.

[@kooroshrostami27]

Shogun 2 looks better than this clunky, cartoonish crap. Those wooden animations in a 2021 release are an insult to the RTS genre.

[@PragmaticTornado]

I was hoping they followed the footsteps of Age 3, which is my favourite in the series for some reason (and I've played AoE since the late 90's). Instead they simplified it, went back to the Age 2 time periods, and so on. To top it off, the game has visuals that were decent in 2010, and still demand full AAA price for the game. I don't regret buying it, per se, but I am disappointed. Campaigns so far are very devoid of personality too, compared to Age 3, but I do like the cinematics in between.

[@christofferredfielfd1758]

Age 3 did an excellent job of doing Napoleonic era warefare, with interesting and varied nation-unique units. I feel it did a good job of having western history at its core and branching out from there, it's a good formula for the games Player base. I don't like the lack of choice for western nations. I'm just more familiar with their histories and therefore would prefer to play as them. We should continue to refine 2 and 3

[@shootz1789]

i regret buying it A LOT! it sucks!

[@nayyarrashid4661]

I am really dissapointed with the graphical style. I was expecting it to be more realistic and weird color palette used for units and biome.

[@Skyrilla]

Dumbed down, simplified, graphically outdated, animations and details are a step down from Age of Empires 3, its limited in content, it launched with a lot of customization and competitive flaws... How is this good? It's a slap in our collective faces. It's an unfinished, unpolished game that tried to play it too safe despite Age 2 DE already being a thing.

[@AndysTake]

Agreed. I wish it was so much more than it ended up being.

[@Skyrilla]

@@AndysTake I think that's it. All these years we've waited for the sequel, endured the memes as much as ''Half-Life 3 confirmed'', speculated, grinded the older games and their re-releases only to have this. Disappointment, more than anger. I just hope they turn it around some how because I am getting sick of these paid pre-release previewers and KZbinrs passing it off as ''worth it'' and the attempts at viral marketing - just look at the recommended videos right now. Where was the marketing before all this? There was none because they weren't even confident about their own game.

[@Spright91]

your getting a lot of hate in the comments . Let me just put my 2c in and say i agree with you . Its just AoE 2 2. Theres nothing new here.

[@AndysTake]

Thanks for the support, Daniel, really appreciate it!

[@SoulxReaper9522]

Some people love the way it looks but I really don't, I liked the fantasy look of the buildings in 2 but here I feel they look dull same with the units And I have to agree with it getting boring my advice for anyone on the fence about buying AOE 4 don't not yet just play 2, you'll find by the time the hype dies you won't care about it anyway

[@AndysTake]

Very true. And by that time, maybe it’s on sale already or new stuff has come out. Either way, AoE2 has much more charm.

[@cainabel6356]

The game looks fine to me. I find nothing wrong with the graphics. I played the game for 106 hours. Then reviewed it. Then re-edited it and re-edited. I once had it positive, but changed it to negative and do not recommend it. The game is lacking stuff from AOE 2 & 3, that should be in the game. Like color system for enemies and allies. Perk system that you earn and stuff. It seems they have gone backwards, instead of forwards.

[@SoulxReaper9522]

@@cainabel6356 yeah I agree it look ok but the colour is bad, most people I know haven't played it again and don't like it and the one's that paid for the game regret spending money on it

[@cainabel6356]

@@SoulxReaper9522 - I guess I can agree with the color in the game. I regret buying it as well, for several reasons. I already posted it today. Problems: 1.) Campaign a.) Too short. b.) Unfinished, seeing how there are empires that do not have a campaign. 2.) No perks, which was a thing in AOE 3, that I liked. Also made people play each faction in order to unlock them. 3.) Computer A.I. a.) Very stupid. b.) No personalities. c.) Turtles a lot. d.) Only enemy A.I. attacks. 4.) Maps are too small. Need to be bigger. 5.) Skirmishes a.) Colors for enemies to allies that will tell you who you are attacking and defending. Has recently caused me problems when trying to defeat one enemy of 4. Especially when I am the only one attacking and making sure my army does not get destroyed by all 4 enemy A.I. armies. b.) Ping options for A.I. to strike, defend or whatever does not work. c.) Allied A.I. does not fight along with you are at random, just turtles in their bases. d.) No commands for defensive patrol or anything like that for units. e.) No increase to population cap. f.) No restrictions on Ages, meaning you can not restrict to a certain Age of progression. 6.) No map editor system, yet. These are my reasons. It just seemed that they decided to go backwards with the development of the game.

[@nickspence8897]

A game that exists to remind you that aoe 2 definitive exists

[@braintonique]

I absolutely love AOE2

[@Kyle-d1x]

Litrally made me re download aoe2 cause 4 was soooooo bad. Litrally makes no sense the way they have made it lol

[@ineedc3477]

AoM is better. I wish we got a definitive edition for AoM

[@Skankhunt668]

​@@Kyle-d1xa lit of aoe2 units play the smae tho tbh

[@automated8493]

To be fair, I heard 'the new AoE was out' and searched on KZbin... Started watching AoE4 gameplay and thought to myself "oh, or is AoE5 the new one?" (I couldn't tell if this was the older game).

[@AndysTake]

Well that tells you something, lol

[@automated8493]

@@AndysTake yeah. I was kinda excited for a new AoE but from what I’ve seen I’m just not going to get it.

[@AyushDixit50]

Bro really great review. I was so disappointed with AOE4 and right now I don't even want to play I am on the last campaign mission of Norman's but it's sucks to see that's it's pretty much AOE2. In fact the unit animations and path finding sucks ass. Like literally. Longbow arrows and siege missiles have the same length. They haven't even tried to mod that. Battles feel more like mob attacking each other. Mongrels, catapults and other siege weapons need to be manually targeted for every change in enemy unit position. Units begin targeting buildings in a battle. Fight and just clump up. Horrible horrible gameplay! AOE Devs should fucking apologise to the shit they have created in the first place. Doesn't feel like you are playing a game in 2021. Cartoony graphics and shit gameplay. Even the building looks same for Norman's archery range , barracks and arsenal all look the same. Moreover there is no hotkey for all army selection. By mistake of you double click an idle villager you have to reassign all of them. They call this a strategic game? Wtf. When you can't even command units to a formation. Compare this with StarCraft 2. I bet this game won't go far it was dead on launch. AOE4 Devs 🖕

[@danieldeath-j7u]

@@drewtin4654 sad , we are lowering the standards even more. this will become the fortnight of RTS.

[@SgtBash-iz2rd]

ngl this game looks boring af. I love AoE, but this really does look outdated in 2021.

[@AndysTake]

Yeah, it really does.

[@nOPE-fs3du]

"Most cartoony Age of Empires ever..." Never played Age of Empires Online, huh?

[@Supadrumma441]

We do not speak of that piece of shit game. To even mention it is heresy.

[@akhilp3559]

I miss aoe O lol

[@RamonSantiagoFlores]

Lol..it was actually fun..not sure why it died it would be great mobile game..cant imagine the controls though..it teminded me of settlers

[@octapusxft]

@@RamonSantiagoFlores Geee, I wonder why it died...I played for like an hour and then due to some server/connection instability I got booted out and lost all my progress. I never played it agian

[@RamonSantiagoFlores]

@@octapusxft ohh man i never had that problem

[@Godbullet98]

They could’ve done so much with this game. Tournament style match making, RPG style, anything. What a joke.

[@124085]

What's weird to me is that Age of Empires 2 DE somehow looks better than AOE4 and I have no idea how they managed that. In AOE2 the models/ sprites pop when compared to the environment. But in AOE4 not only do the models look less realistic but the colors are sort of washed out so they don't really stand out from the terrain. The Civs themselves may be unique but visually this game looks bland, like a mobile game. I'm sure someone who knows more about visual design could probably explain it better.

[@futurefox128]

AOE4 uses mediocre 3D models, plus everything that comes with 3D like the lighting etc. AOE2 uses very good 2D sprites (actually prerendered images from 3D models I think). Also with the 2D sprites there are only 8 angles or so that a unit can be oriented in. While some people may prefer the infinite angles of 3D, I think the limited angles make the units so much more recognizable (make them "pop"), especially when in a large group.

[@Skankhunt668]

​@@futurefox128one thing i didn't like is when the sprites didn't overlay right with each other

[@tomtube1012]

AOE4 has this fog effect. You can see it here in his video where it's only somewhat clear at the center while the edges are all hazy. AOE2 in contrast is crystal clear across whole screen. I think this fog effect takes away from AOE4's graphics and makes it look inferior to AOE2.

[@timneal6001]

More value for money playing Age 1, 2, Mythology and 3. Should of just made AOM DE.

[@MiaSanBayern]

I just cannot get into this. I feel like its so diff from AOE 2 its crazy. I don't get the comparison between this and AOE 2. This is so poorly done, almost reminds me of Age of Empires: Online. The free game they had. The units are wonky, hard to tell apart, they move silly, buildings are all the same, and all over the place. And the art style is just not hitting the spot at all.

[@AndysTake]

I get that, actually. I think it’s fairly similar in terms of gameplay with AoE2, but in terms of visuals, weird unit movements, buildings looking samey, AoE2 just feels so much better, especially for its time.

[@MiaSanBayern]

@@AndysTake Yeah, i think the DE plays and looks so much better. I don't know if its just me but i have a hard time telling what unit is what in AOE 4, like all horses look similar and jumbeled up its a color mashup of units running around each other.

[@JohDan6969]

Huge fan of the original and AOE2. I have not played this one, because it looks so bad. Also I love HUGE maps, and this does not seem to do that so well... I'll stick to AOE2

[@sfguzmani]

Don't hate a game until you played it yourself. Because that will only make you a bandwagon.

[@JohDan6969]

@@sfguzmani I'm not sure what the consensus. But it just looks small and bad

[@cainabel6356]

@@JohDan6969 Trust me, do not buy this game. It lacks several things that AOE 2 has. The simple stuff like personalities: economic, defensive, offensive; and color system to tell which enemy or ally is which. It lacks a good amount more.

[@cainabel6356]

@@sfguzmani - I am sorry, but people should look at and watch people's reviews on the game before buying in this day of age. The game is unfinished; and backed up by promises to finish it, update it and provide dlcs. Never buy a unfinished game from a company that promises to finish making it, update it and provdie dlcs for it from a corporation. "ANTHEM" ring a bell?

[@FellTheSky]

inferior to AOE2 DE in every single way possible (including graphics). Overpriced. Lack of innovation. It borrows everything from previous AOEs but makes it all worse. Inaccurate historic campaigns. Basically: A waste of time and resources.

[@Azr4el]

"The most cartoonish of the AoEs" This is what bothers me the most, if it were more realistic I would buy it w/o a second thought, but looking at how it is it just puts me off. The combat to me seems like children playing with toy weapons, no impact at all, specially when I look at the range weapons I can't avoid thinking they are firing NERF toys at each other.

[@MattSmith-il4tc]

Well, I for one am super happy that they didn't try to reinvent the wheel with this. There are enough new concepts for me to feel like this is more than just an AoE 2 retread (the variance in civilization play styles, the focus on macro vs. micro, passive and active abilities for special units, new ageing up mechanics, etc.). But it still feels like an Age of Empires game... which is what I wanted when I purchased it. If I wanted a complete rethinking of the RTS genre, I'd play one of the modern RTS franchises. But I've tried those, and have never really clicked with any of them. I DO click with the Age game play though, and this game is a new and improved version of that. And that's exactly what I wanted.

[@AndysTake]

Well, I for one am happy for you, Matt! Glad you're enjoying it. I wished for more, but that's just me.

[@bradenvester4308]

i feel like AOE4 is a lazy entry given the 16 years since 3. from what i can tell, it is basically 2 with like two or three new features. They should really take advantage of the history of RTS games and the new tech of the modern day. specifically, i would love to see AOE4 take some aspects from Stronghold, Total war, and Lords of the realm and incorporate them. i want to get this game, but given the low amount of change and few civilizations i cant justify the $60.

[@AndysTake]

Completely agree, mate. Thanks for leaving a comment!

[@waseem8830]

I used to play age of empires III but after more than 15 years they came out with no improvement: I can definitely say this is a bullshit 👎🏼🤮🤢

[@andreiandrei2708]

They missed the opportunity in making an RTS with maps as a TW , W40k Soulstorm had a small map as example. Imagine to build at least each zone capital according to the how you want , according to how culture is . For me , a gamer who loved the 1-2 versions , with the time passing by, this style I totally agree is not the time anymore.

[@AndysTake]

Yeah, I really wish the maps were bigger and more realistic. Thanks for watching, Andrei!

[@SolitaryLark]

God no this isn’t total war and the amount of hate it’s getting for what little it’s changed already. If you did something like copy another established franchise people would freak.

[@andreiandrei2708]

@@SolitaryLark since none employs anymore people with ideas, just money grab, age of remasters everywhere, fanboys doing everything else.

[@Zade_95]

While I disagree on some of your points, this a well put together review that clearly focuses on the things you find value in. I don't understand the dislikes! Great job :)

[@AndysTake]

Thank you, Zade! I’m glad you’re enjoying the game :)

[@xfighters3913]

They seemingly got rid of a lot of core game elements from AOE 2 and 3 which I did enjoy. This feels like they took AOE 3 graphics, took everything from AOE 2, took half the stuff out and then put in a few new cool things and called it a job well done. The AI for the units is also wack and shitty as fuck. The Native Outposts from AOE 3 were great additions, they were strategic locations that could give you new resources or allow you to train special troops. This was not present despite making the areas on the map matter a lot more. The Dock and ships. I may be wrong on this one but so far I have not been able to make a dock or make any boats and i've finished 2 of the campaigns. The Dock added a lot of strategical elements to the game. You could have a weak army but perhaps using some combat ships cleverly could change the tide for you. They also enabled trade and fishing too. The fact it's not present just feels weird to me. Why isn't it there? A lack of factions. In AOE 4 there is i believe only 8-10 factions where as the other games with their expansions had many more. I will say though that said factions do feel quite unique. Overall this game just really didn't live up to the hype of it's predecessors. It's cool in a vacuum but compared to the other AOE games it falls kind of flat. I don't want this to be the case, I hope they introduce more content into the game in later updates. If I could describe AOE 4 with one word I would use the word 'Incomplete'

[@Tiamatdlord]

Yeah I agree as aoe veteran, the campaign looks good and honors the tradition. It looked like they too the good features from aoe 3 then went back to aoe 2 with a brand new combined engine. It's not bad but the game seems unbalanced and incomplete. The skirmish options that made the older ones good are missing, the MP seems an after thought. It kinda has the issues with faction did in aoe 3 but tbh alot is missing QoL

[@Assassin5671000]

There actually is docks and ships and 8-10 factions I think was the max for the old games with the expansions at least I can say for age 3, but it really is just another aoe 2 ,for what reason did they decide to stick with the idea when the remaster was a success . The only idea that comes to mind is that maybe age 4 was already more then half way done when the remasters came out so they couldn't really shift to do a lot of stuff without going back and changing a lot of stuff witch would have made them lose more money and time in the long run.

[@jonasnee]

@@Assassin5671000 AOE 3 started at 8 and is about to have its 20th faction added, on top of this they have natives that you can ally with.

[@danielabraham8736]

I do enjoy the new game but I completely agree with most of the criticism you raised. I'm happy we got a new AoE, I just hope this is Relics way of showing they can do a decent job of replicating the past so that in future they can implement a lot of the changes you suggested. When dealing with hardcore fans of a long standing franchise it must be hard to please everyone, hopefully Relics safe approach can evolve into more interesting ones with future AoE titles. Only time will tell, anyway... great review. :)

[@AndysTake]

Thank you so much, Daniel! :) Yes, I hope you're right in that this was just a start with a true revival, a revival that brings actual innovation and some new and exciting features. This game can definitely be fun, and I'm glad you're enjoying it! I just wish there was more here, is all.

[@TerahAsh]

Another 15-20 years before you get AoE 5 and the graphics won't be good.

[@danieldeath-j7u]

There is no Vocie acting in game , it feels so bad .

[@maunz5791]

Great review! I was really hyped when Age 4 got announced, but after seeing some gameplay and the really offputting graphics I will rather stick with the Age 2 and 3 remasters. Albeit these have their flaws on their own. Why does the Age 3 DE require nine times more storage space than the original game, while having just merely better graphics and much worse performance?! Looks like pretty bad programming. Age 2 DE is not much better in that regard...

[@eduardoborges506]

The problem of age of empires franchise is they cant decide if they juts want to remake the wheel of age of empires, or actualy move on to something else, something different. So far they are in a weird middle which satifies no one. No age of empires will ever dethrone age of empires II if its a similar game. If fans have to choose between the 2 experiences they will ALWAYS choose age of empires II. What age of empires IV should have been is a vastly different game, a different experience, something completely different from the established genre. The devs need to have the balls to say age of empires II was amazing, we will never do anything like it that will be better, we just need to make a completely new wheel to give a new experience, and bring new people. Make a game that doesnt feel like age of empires II reskin, old fans might not like it cause they go in expecting AoE II , but they would never like it anyway even if it was exactly the same thing. Even AoE definitive edition is not enjoyed by all.

[@AndysTake]

Exactly! You put it very well, mate.

[@cainabel6356]

I think AOE 3 beat AOE 2. Sorry, but that is how I see it. The barracks being upgraded to produce 5 units at a time is a great thing. The perk system, I find rewarding when you unlock them by playing each empire. It feels like you accomplished something. Also, each empire has some perks that define only them, which makes playing each empire unique. The only issue is not being able to build what you want, like the factories, castles, and as many gun houses like you wanted in AOE 2.

[@TsvetanVR]

I have never been and never will be a fan of studios asking me for new money and delivering the same old product. That's why I don't own, nor play Diablo Resurrected, World of Warcraft Classic etc. I'm not paying for something again, 10 or 20 years later just to have the same product with more modern visuals. I will not be buying AoE4 either. Thank you for the honest review!

[@AndysTake]

Thanks, Tsvetan! Appreciate it, and it’s my pleasure!

[@buildinasentry1046]

Thank you man I agree. When I played the beta it just really seems like they lean on old mechanics and themes to sell this age of empires feeling. In previous ensemble age games, the mechanics would change however the FEELING would still remain, the age feeling, some quirks that you can really tell what type of game you’re playing that extends through all the games. I just think, what would ensemble have done? Probably gone onto another time period, some weird mechanics, but the basics of the series would remain

[@nominionplays1682]

you guys are weird af, ofc it has a aoe feeling cause its a aoe game...

[@alecshockowitz8385]

Honestly, I'm really tired of each RTS game trying to reinvent the wheel and do something totally new and different. It can be interesting for 20-30 hours of a campaign, but the Multiplayer/Versus AI is the real meat of the game. Too many RTS' have failed or gone completely unnoticed despite being very unique and changing a lot of things from the normal formula in recent times. Better to stick to tried and true.

[@octapusxft]

As someone who plays AoE and AoM games mainly for the single player, I am sad to hear it does not have a solid single player

[@terranu1]

Cheap cash grab that looks put togheter using resized mobile assets left around. If they werent pumping more into streamers to promote this game than developping it, it would go down the drain without even noticing. No atmosphere also,units feels like lego sterile props borrowed from totally accurate battle simulator for mobile.

[@pcgamer_buds8814]

Very good review. Again the game is just another AoE game tailored for multiplayer only. There is not much change in mechanics and still a less realistic game. After all non-regrowing trees are gone the AI enemy is going to stall. I play single player only but mostly on extreme AI and wants some more realistic game mechanics. Trees regrow, fish renewable, more realistic stone and minerals.

[@cainabel6356]

It does have a campaign. I played it. Not all of it is there. I agree with you on your post. The guy stated it was more realistic, but it seems not so. If it was it would have what you stated.

[@marcobrito5620]

You did a great review! I was waiting for this title for a long time and after seeing your review i'm not buying the game just now, its disapointing, better stick with AoE 2 , Cossacks and stronghold crusader until they add more punch to the game, they had 20 freaking years to work on this... Thanks for the honest review!

[@AndysTake]

Thank you so much for the amazing comment, Marco! What just baffles me is how similar this game is to the predecessors… like virtually no growth, not even visual compared to the HD remasters. Oh well. At least we can look forward to Knights of Honor 2?

[@kramer8487]

I'm with you in this, don't pay attention to nonsense criticism, your video makes complete sense. I think Aoe4 is a good game, especially if you've never played any Aoe games or are new to the Rts genre, but i found it a little empty, decreased battles, decreased units, civilizations, damn even the animations are limited and half made, i not expect this from a 2021 release from a big company. I didn't like the graphics decisions and art direction either... You play games like Dow 1-2, Men of War, CoH and u can never look back, the details, the animations, the mechanics, the graphics, the ai, the scenarios and gamemodes etc etc. I will wait a bit more to Aoe4 mature a bit and give another try, but i had some fun with my fresh to genre friends yeah.

[@AndysTake]

Thanks for the comment, Kramer! Glad to hear you’re having fun with your friends, but yeah, I agree that this game should’ve been so much more.

[@Supadrumma441]

Dude CoH AI was no fkn joke man it could woop your ass on normal mode if you made too many mistakes.

[@JackSmith-wm3wm]

yeah agreed. For example Dawn of War - a super old game plays and looks better than Aoe 4.

[@benjaminclement8437]

Good video, The AI sucks I am trying to take York and my dumb units want to attack buildings instead of the enemies attacking them so they got wiped out. No biggy can build more units however this is very annoying and if this is how the unit will act right through I will not be playing it. Hey look those units are attacking us, hmm dont even worry this farm is more dangerous lets attack it lol

[@AndysTake]

Extremely frustrating, encountered this myself!

[@ThePalerider12]

There is allot that needs work, allot that needs to be built upon and added, performance issues smoothed out, but the groundwork is here. The game can become great if Relic and Microsoft are willing to put in the time and resources, and I very much hope they do so.

[@AndysTake]

I certainly hope you’re right!

[@giottovongolaprimo4146]

The game just released, there will be a patch in the future.

[@vangoghsear8657]

When I saw the trailer, I knew it was going to be a bust. It's basically AoE 3 DE graphics with the AoE 2 themes. I remember all those years ago when many of us were uncertain whether there was going to be an AoE 4 or not. So many others including my self were really hoping the game would be a WW1 or WW2 theme. They waited way too long to make a decision and now we see the consequences.

[@Grandmastergav86]

AoE 3 is miles better than this

[@immyski]

Thanks for the amazing review. This is definitely a wait-for-a-sale for me.

[@AndysTake]

My sincere pleasure, Ai! Thank you so much for the amazing comment! :D

[@RaJwl]

I just bought the game and I'm actually disappointed, after like 20 years you would expect a lot more than what this game provides. Even the graphics just barely cut it. Also unsure why people say the facions feel different. Combat troops feel very smiliar, very few unique units like there were in age of mythology. Where other games provide massive improvements, this one does not. Its just a sequal that couldve been released in 2006.

[@vernonosborne9975]

I hate how quickly you progress through the ages, its just too fast with no option to slow it down. Small scale. Built for multiplayer

[@MaMastoast]

I always knew this was gonna be the case. From the moment it was announced, obviously a new AoE games was gonne an extremely conservative effort. Fans of AoE2 are very much bound by tradition and habbit and probably would be upset by any radical changes. Honestly, releasing this so soon after the definitive edition of AoE2 seems like a mistake, it only goes to show how little the series has evolved. I played a ton of AoE2 when I was a kid/early teen, and this game is just nostalgia bait imo.

[@cainabel6356]

I have played AOE 2 & 3, not sure about 1. I liked AOE 3. I never understood why people hated AOE 3. It added more uniqueness to the game. I wish AOE 4 had AOE 3's perk system.

[@waremedes7107]

There is a free game called " 0 A.D " which is better Age of Empires game than AoE IV.

[@Supadrumma441]

Huh might check it out. Not seeing any reason to get AOE4 tbh, doesn't feel like it adds anything we havent been playing for the last 20 years.

[@pcgamer_buds8814]

I totally agree with you and I played 0ad a long long time (around 3-4 years). AoE pathing is just better and nothing else. And it’s free!

[@tomzhangus]

the real point is they needed to make another $60 from you. lousy game.

[@JackSmith-wm3wm]

Thats before the DLC's incoming with more factions and campaigns. Its a lasy rework at best

[@xilioss8575]

marco piere white usually says we live in a world of refinement not invention i think this concept could be really usefull for the AOE creators :)

[@ryecatcher25]

Great review. Just played aoe4 today for the first time and i am shocked at how safe this game played it. This feels like a mobile game scaled up for a.computer monitor. I was clicking on villagers and i wss like" my god..they changed nothing"

[@dukecountu9475]

If you want innovation on the typical Age formula Age of Empires 3 would probably be a better fit for you.

[@HaiLsKuNkY]

I am a huge fan of age of empires 3, so far I don't have fun playing age of empires 4, I don't like the maps, the different level terrain makes it harder to have two bases, or rebuild after losing a base. You basically need to stay in your starting territory, I find the unit training is so slow, you can not spam armies out. The economy seems to be unbalanced too almost no store or gold,

[@brickneralexander]

I feel there very little reply value.No real leveling up or mastery's like an AOE 3.was really hoping they would just expand on that and change it up a bit instead it's non-existent.

[@chillingpanda7599]

thank you for this.. I was just about to waste $55 on this game now I dont have to thanks!

[@AndysTake]

Thanks for watching! :D

[@cainabel6356]

I wish I saw this and reviewed the negative reviews before buying the game. Also, it is $60 USD.

[@MisteryDMOR33]

Cartony. This is what I don´t like about it

[@AndysTake]

I agree, I wish they had gone for a more realistic style.

[@Nitroracer2332]

Just paid £49.99 for this and was super excited. I was initially a bit underwhelmed with it. Hardly no new units for the brits? It's been in production for years and it judt didn't feel like it's worth £49.99.. That being said I've only played 3 hours and I must admit it is growing on me

[@boycie18]

I was the same. I didnt give it a chance but after playing a few hours Ive come to realise its a game you need to play a bit to be rewarded

[@ivanlagrossemoule]

I played for a week and rather enjoyed it, but now the lack of depth really hit me. It's definitely much more accessible than AOE2 and would rather play that with friends, but that's about it.

[@genesisbustamante-durian]

you wasted your money bro

[@Nitroracer2332]

@@genesisbustamante-durian ok "bro"

[@alexandermartinez2808]

I felt the same the first hour I was disappointed on the game but now all of the sudden I can't seem to stop playing it. I love it

[@InternetWarriorQwer]

What this review misses is this is more of a competitive multiplayer game. Its not interested in being more like single player rts games. The reason Starcraft, AOE2 and AOE4 work is because they offer a well balanced multiplayer that promotes high apm and early game action.

[@RCAddix]

This is a great review. Clearly not for everyone but excellent for those that are of a similar mind. If you don't agree with the review please go find the reviewer that suits your personality and play style rather than try to tear down others.

[@AndysTake]

Thank you so much, RC! I'm so glad you enjoyed it, it's fine that people disagree, but it's weird when they get so salty about it. It's just my opinion, after all, but hopefully it can resonate with others and help them get a bitter picture - not just a rose colored one!

[@happilyendme3521]

I disagree with your statement hearing reviews that are not always "Look new game 9/10" is good

[@RCAddix]

@@happilyendme3521 I dont care if you agree or not. If you re read what I said you might not have replied at all. Clearly you did not understand.

[@Melkor1205]

I am really disappointed with this game. This isn't Age of Empires 4 but more 2.5. Compared with the jump from part 2 to 3 nearly nothing changed. There are barely any new ideas to be found here and what is different from Age2 was already to be found in Age3 or Mythology. The visuals of the game are a disappointment, too. Neither are they outstanding in the rts genre, nor are they stylistically interesting. Apart from the wonderful sound of the game there is little atmosphere to be found. The ui is minimalistic, the campaigns uninspired and not immersive. It's an average game in content and visually you can play, but don't have to. Sadly this isn't enough for the 4th part of an iconic series and in no way a revival of the rts genre!

[@AndysTake]

I agree, Melkor, you put it very well. It very much is an Age of Empires 2.5, and nearly nothing changed, there are almost no improvements, and it's been 20 YEARS.

[@ViktoriousDead]

You might have one of the oldest KZbin channels around

[@stektirade]

I mean it is a smaller developer. What more do you want? Messing with a game too much and it becomes something completely different. Like how the battlefield series changed and went in the toilet. There's a reason why cod is basically the same game every new release and still sells and is immensely popular. And the people that are saying the graphics aren't any better than 2 or 3, you either have a crap pc or are playing on xbox or are on crack. I still play aoe 3 and the graphics and smoothness are way worse than 4.

[@eisasulemankhatri4677]

@@AndysTake but is it worth it if you don't already own any age of empires games at all?

[@jojolafrite90]

Selecting troops and moving camera made me uninstall in a rage after 2 minutes! Well done, Microsoft. I won't ask to be refunded, as since I had no respect for Microsoft to begin with, I didn't pay to just try their shit game for 5 minutes.

[@Asytra]

Age of Empires 4 taught me that I've moved on. I no longer have the patience for arcadey skirmish games that ultimately don't matter. The Total War series, Crusader Kings, and Stellaris are where my modern interests lie. Thank the heavens for Gamepass

[@AndysTake]

I think we're of one mind then, those games you mentioned are just sooo much better than this. And Game Pass is a must!

[@lusiada12]

@@AndysTake Dont forget hoi4!

[@dragonrykr]

Meanwhile I could never get into any of those three games... too complex and extensive. All I want is to play a 1 hour long skirmish after a long day at work without having to open up a manual and research what every single modifier in CK means

[@gediminasmorkys3589]

None of these games matter, unless you provide a meaning yourself. Also, the amount of patience required to play TW, CK, but especially Stellaris is so much bigger compared to RTS. With age, humans become slower, which is why you can't handle a real time games anymore. That's fine, you don't have to make it a tragedy. Everyone gets old.

[@grouchomarx2276]

Great, honest, brave and accurate review. Respect. New subscriber, ty.

[@AndysTake]

Thank you, Stephen, appreciate it!

[@eelm2079]

needs an update, the games had major improvements since release as well as more units and lots of quality of life enhancements. As well as a good growing community

[@toplel1860]

I think my biggest disapointment was the pop cap still at 200 and because its so low formation and unit managment hasnt been forced to evolve

[@Matt-cw1mv]

Please tell me you can play online and raise the 200 pop limit ?

[@joeblow2069]

Not an expert here but my 2 cents. I think they got it 90% right. They took most that was good with AOE2 and built off that. AOE4 is a beautiful deep game. I love the demo ships. Sort of a take off of the Zerg baneling in Starcraft 2. Love the look of the game the colors and textures. One thing they missed? Roads! Instead of sacred sites they should have used the trading posts from AOE3. Roads are so essential to transportation and economy. Trading posts mean control of the goods transported on a road. I also loved the trading posts for native settlements in AOE3. You economically benefit from trade and it opens up more military options.

[@StateOfMind63]

Yeah I'll defintiely be skipping this one. Looks like it would have been very good if it was released 20 years ago...

[@jeb1110]

Game's novelty wears off quick. AoE2 was much better. AoE4 = repetitive gameplay, graphics that look a generation old, and laggy control movements, feels like you units are moving underwater. Very lopsided civilizations and units. Just spam knights and you'll win 9 out of 10 games.

[@kashual]

Too multiplayer focused... Would love to see some form of total war like campaign

[@AndysTake]

Me too, man!

[@ByGraceThroughFaith777]

Just like Chess is always Chess, AoE will always be AoE. You change the formula too much and the game is no longer the same game. Also the cartoonie look helps in differentiating units and buildings. If they went for a realistic look everything would blend and players would feel lost. Idk about others, but for me the fact that I can play the game as I remember it after almost 15year without playing it is a good thing

[@Vvopat96]

I don't see why I would buy this game either, it's nothing special but they did try to change everything before already in aoe3 and it was a disaster so changing doesn't really work either. Aoe2 is just close to perfect this type of a game and if you change it, you make it worse. So the multiplayer aspect is worse in my opinion than in aoe 2 because of the less complexity in the gameplay and micro management. Arrors are not realistic so on so on.. Campaigns and other ways of playing Age of empires could have been the place to improve and innovate. Aoe4 campaigns are the most pretty one's in the franchise but could also have been even better. Just not finnished game this. It can be improved a lot with patches though.

[@AndysTake]

Yes, I look forward to what they might do in the future, but it needs more than just more factions and samey campaigns

[@Vvopat96]

@@AndysTake yes I agree

[@lpepano7935]

better than IGN review. thank you

[@Metalbringer92]

Love the review. Honest and no-bullshit policy, just the way I like it. Cartoony graphics, low pop-cap, zero innovation and all in all, a 3D carbon copy of aoe2, which came out remastered for full price anyway. For 4 years of development, I'm HIGHLY unimpressed. Don't mind the fanboys, microsoft could take a crap on a silver plate, call it aoe5 and serve it with a glass of piss, and they'd chug it all down and tell you it's delicious. Oh BTW, like and subscribed.

[@kashual]

AoE4 is still AoE2... Just better graphics.

[@TegPi]

While similar, they're most definitely different in terms of gameplay. Especially online or in terms of balance/competitive gameplay Its like saying Brood War and SC2 are the same because they're both core starcraft in design

[@jojolafrite90]

Camera is fucked. They force you to change the entire language of the game to just change the audio. In 2021!!! Wow, Microsoft... I won't say I was expecting much, but wow... One of the fastest uninstalled game I've ever "played".

[@hardmasternl]

Nice review mate. Saved me money

[@Weep_TTV]

Get a game pass now its free on there

[@casinoz8013]

The graphics look worse than sc2 yet I can barely get 60fps at 200/200 supply. Maybe it's just poor people problems but yeah.. Still rough.

[@leftyzappa]

As soon as I saw a woman as a commander I rolled my eyes. Make of that what you will. I will just say, "agenda".

[@peter-bu5tz]

this game is not worth it because it doesnt have japanese civ , look at all franchise it has all japanese civ aoe1:yamato aoe2:japanese aoe3:japanese reality is often disappointing

[@drawmaster77]

All this mobile reject of a game did was make me want to get back into total war games... I am personally very underwhelmed.

[@pyroyergen5986]

top review geez. so sad the game looks almost inferoir to aoe2, theres so much potential with this series that has been frozen since the late 90s

[@bustsomecaps]

looks like nothing new i played aoe in my early 20s lotsa years ago it looks the same with some graph differences it looks the same...sad but wont be spending 50 bucks on this

[@sodoh4920]

Like chess, it can be fun to play a game where one already knows the rules. Some people just want new, new, new....

[@scrivster]

Absolutely agree. I really enjoy the campaign videos but otherwise the game offers nothing new or exciting.

[@terranu1]

Took like 8 years for pro players to take it as their own project and come up with a very decent AI, in aoe DE. Now on aoe4 I guess its goes back to a blunt AI good for trying the game out a couple times. Visual downgrade, gameplay dongrades, whats left to butcher I wonder. Just had an insanely intense game in 4v4 vs extreme AI in aoed DE back and forth for 2 hours. Imerely look at some aoe4 video a minute and get bored to death. Take your pick.

[@axea4554]

It look like they removed some stuff from the game, restricted it more, they made it more easy. What does that mean? The game is more predictable. So potentially it will be more fun to play multiplayer

[@jonasnee]

so i am wondering if you have played AOE3 per chance? cause it has some of the things you ask for, like it was radically different from AOE 2 in a lot of ways including a between battle system in the form of the homecity.

[@AndysTake]

Yes, I loved how AOE3 tried to change things up! Not everything was perfect, but I loved the general change in time period and various additions - it also looked so beautiful for its time

[@cainabel6356]

AOE 3 seemed like an improvement to me.

[@cinquecento1985]

Chinese have a special building for increasing population? Whaat is going in this building?

[@tt1147]

My thoughts exactly. I expected more from this game.

[@AndysTake]

Hopefully they can take some of the criticism to heart.

[@WTP_DAVE]

1$ on gamepass for enough play for a month for 99% of players

[@fitfrek]

1$ for one month and get two months free. :)

[@chillyvanilly6352]

TBH, the buildings do really look stunning, but the soldiers with the pikes look like stickmen fighting with toothpicks...

[@illusioon1569]

There is no blood and looks like a mobile game... :\ No blood no buy. Arrows fly too fast.

[@DarkGamerA]

This is just aoe2.2 if I am being honest.. and fans are alos to blame for this... Age of empires did try innovative stuff .. age of empires 3 was very different from aoe2 and aoe1 and was graphically miles better but due to some problems here and there fans bashed out and I think that's why they played it so safe

[@AndysTake]

Wish they would’ve experimented more tho.. it’s waaay too safe. Even the same age, basically!

[@TheDecree93]

I think they are appeasing fans on initial launch and the dlc and updates will add in a lot of the items you mentioned to change it up

[@AndysTake]

I can only hope!

[@Supadrumma441]

Doubtful.

[@JackSmith-wm3wm]

No the foundation is too simplistic. DLC will just be factions or a campaign. Not a game overhaul

[@TheDecree93]

@@JackSmith-wm3wm I’m a simple man

[@Marty-im8qb]

For me the game feels worse then age 3 as there are a few nice features removed which makes it even more annoying. Like the fact that rangers are useless becouse you can no longer just tell them to explore on their own. And it's just blob against blob as it's impossible to manage all your units while not seeing the enemy becouse the range of sight is so small although the ai always knows where you are.

[@cainabel6356]

What was wrong with AOE 3? I like that one. It was an update from AOE 1 & 2. AOE 4 seems to gone backwards instead of forward.

[@Skazzze]

the game feels cheaper than it costs.. and improvements are incremental. big fail =(

[@AndysTake]

Agreed 😤

[@cainabel6356]

The only improvement I saw was the cinematics and animation. Otherwise, nothing has acutally improved in the game.

[@wogboy555]

So basically you don't like aoe4 because it's not civ 6...

[@robcameron7632]

No pause, means no coffee during play, Got to have my coffee.

[@ge-8135]

corpses despawning at 1997 rates when 2gb of RAM was the norm?👀

[@AndysTake]

It's Halloween soon even, you'd think the corpses would at least stay a while longer.

[@freedinner886]

Game looks terrible thank you for the review

[@AndysTake]

Thank you for the comment, Daniel! Appreciate it!

[@salvadorvazquez298]

Thanks for this oasis of honesty in Age of Empires critic, I apreciate it, and sadly, what you exposed is the reason why many people still like AoE series because the changes are not too radical (they don't take risks)

[@AndysTake]

Thank you so much, Salvador! I really appreciate it :)

[@salvadorvazquez298]

And I regret to admit that AoE 4 looks like AoE2 but with similar graphics to AoE 3

[@salvadorvazquez298]

@Umut Ahmet Çetin I strongly agree, sadly the original idea's AoE series died alongside Ensemble Studios, nowadays it is only one more Microsoft product with no real evolution

[@darthxellaa912]

Great review. AOE4 played it very safe, I hope they add more features and factions. I really miss the leveling and adding unique units/perks like in AOE3. That was a cool system.

[@DeEnCo]

what do you mean by "very safe"?. can it be played with medium device specifications?

[@blacksunaccounts]

Totally agree. I already own all of the aoe series and I feel no need to purchase this. ☹️. Maybe when it's on sale for like 35 so it can sit in my library like warhammer 3

[@theavpman4834]

Get gamepass pc for a month it's like a dollar for the first month and you don't have to wait for it to go on sale.

[@QsPracticalNonsense]

@@theavpman4834 Thank you for this information.

[@theavpman4834]

@@QsPracticalNonsense np tbh with you that's what I did.

[@diego2817]

Good review, game is not even optimized and only use a single core in 2021 lol

[@Supadrumma441]

*sigh* jesus fucking christ. Multi core CPU's have been around for HOW LONG NOW? WHY do devs keep doing this single core running bs?

[@diego2817]

@@Supadrumma441 because they are useless, they don't create in house engines anymore, they are using COH engine which is from 2006...