Steam: "Absolute real-time strategy hit" at lowest price ever (65% Off)
Age of Empires is one of the classic real-time strategy franchises that lit up our screens in the late ’90s. Aside from a handful of remasters, fans hadn’t seen a true new installment since 2005. That changed in 2021 with the launch of Age of Empires IV, developed by Relic Entertainment – the studio behind RTS staples like Company of Heroes and Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War. Expectations for the fourth entry were high, and it delivered.
Age of Empires IV builds on the strengths of its predecessors with a rich blend of historical content and strategic depth. Across four campaigns, players relive key moments of the Middle Ages – including The Rise of the Normans, The Hundred Years’ War, The Mongol Empire and The Rise of Muscovy. German gaming magazine PCGames praised this aspect in their review, noting that the campaigns are not only challenging but also educational, enhanced by documentary-style cutscenes that bring history to life. With ten distinct civilizations such as the English, Chinese and Abbasids, the game offers extensive strategic variety. Each faction features unique mechanics – the Mongols, for instance, can establish mobile bases, while the Delhi Sultanate gains free research upgrades.
The Anniversary Edition of Age of Empires IV launched on October 25, 2022 as a major free update. It added a wealth of new content and improvements, including two additional civilizations – the Ottomans and the Malians – plus new maps, challenges, master-level missions, and enhancements to language support and the user interface. This edition has since replaced the original release and is now the standard version available to players.
The gameplay in Age of Empires IV stays true to its real-time strategy roots: gather resources, build your base and lead your armies into battle. According to PCGames, it closely mirrors the feel of Age of Empires II, which is likely to resonate with longtime fans of the series. The game did face some criticism, though. The visuals were seen as somewhat dated, and quality-of-life features such as auto-scouting or a global production overview were missing. Players also noted a lack of innovation, with many hoping for new mechanics like a diplomacy system. Despite these concerns, the overall reception was highly positive. On Steam, around 85,000 players have rated the game, with 84% leaving a positive review. Critics on Metacritic scored it at 86, while the User Score sits at 8.6. PCGames awarded the title 8 out of 10, and GameStar gave it 87 out of 100, calling it an “absolute real-time strategy hit.”
First-ever 65% discount on Steam
Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition usually sells for around $40 on Steam, but it’s currently 65% off until October 6, bringing the price down to about $14 – the lowest it has ever been, according to SteamDB. For those thinking about playing on a handheld, the deal is even more appealing: Steam lists the game as Steam Deck compatible (with the device currently priced at $420 on Amazon).
Disclaimer: Notebookcheck is not responsible for price changes carried out by retailers. The discounted price or deal mentioned in this item was available at the time of writing and may be subject to time restrictions and/or limited unit availability.
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