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This game allows you to build your own cities and conquer surrounding ones

This game allows you to build your own cities and conquer surrounding ones

Vote: (4 votes)

Program license: Paid

Developer: Microsoft Game Studios

Version: 8.1.185

Works under: Windows

Vote:

Program license

(4 votes)

Paid

Developer

Version

Microsoft Game Studios

8.1.185

Works under:

Windows

Pros

  • Part of an enduring RTS franchise
  • Updated graphics but the same popular gameplay mechanics
  • Intuitive menus and control icons

Cons

  • AoE IV is a campaign simulator. It's not designed for casual gamers

Age of Empires IV is a real-time strategy game. Designed to explore age-old combat strategies, as waged by some of history's most warrior-like military forces, this game is both fun and intellectually stimulating. Here, strategy gamers can coordinate troops and entire legions, take advantage of unique land features, and use historically accurate weapons. In short, superior battle strategies win hostile engagements. Victory has been gained in yet another hard-fought virtual campaign.

This game genre sees computer users building their own empires. From their tribal beginnings to a time when that once vulnerable tribe has become a far-flung empire, the game timeline follows the deeds and efforts of the player. Resources are gathered, structures are built, and land is farmed. As that timeline proceeds through the decades, cities grow taller and structures gain more advanced features. It's the job of the game player to protect their struggling empires, to build up an army and research weapons in their siege workshops. Then, instead of developing farm implements and building tools with the gathered resources, the materials are diverted to the weapon's manufacturing plants, where they'll arm the troops. Of course, virtual warriors need training.

And that's where the entertainment comes from in Age of Empires IV, the move from resource gathering to warmongering. Build those structures, but always make sure homes and conquered lands are defended by superior forces. With that said, even with greater numbers and superior weaponry, the gameplay still hangs in the balance. Well, it does until a winning strategy or campaign battle plan is introduced. Meanwhile, the gameplay doesn't limit players to some faceless era in history. No, AOE IV seeks out great historical upheavals. The battle could center on a Roman campaign, a place where ancient European warriors were desperately protecting their farms and forts. Alternatively, the English Red Coats could be expanding their territories for King and country, perhaps by attacking the freedom-seeking patriots in the Americas.

Red Coats or Romans, Samurai or Ottoman Empire, the battles are fought hard online or by AI enhanced computer troops. The only way to guarantee a victory, to pluck triumph from imminent defeat, is to employ the winning strategy. As a single force or dispatched as units, the assigned tactics used by every flanking or forward-attacking phalanx could mean the difference between life and death. At any rate, because the resource allocation work and strategical maneuvers can be hard to pull off when the commander is armed with a computer keyboard and mouse, the user interface in Age of Empires IV needs a little something special. A polished UI, a graphically rich main battle window, and an intuitive set of contextually aware control panels/menus, this game features all of these gameplay elements and more.

Pros

  • Part of an enduring RTS franchise
  • Updated graphics but the same popular gameplay mechanics
  • Intuitive menus and control icons

Cons

  • AoE IV is a campaign simulator. It's not designed for casual gamers