I’m playing Age of Empires 4 again, thanks to the Knights of Cross and Rose DLC’s excellent new faction mechanic

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Previously, I shared my affection for Age of Empires 2 and its impact on my gaming preferences. However, Age of Empires 4 didn’t resonate with me to the same extent.

I found the enhanced graphics and added features pleasing, yet they were overshadowed by the vast array of content that Age of Empires 2: Definitive Edition continues to provide. It’s a game that keeps expanding, with additional factions and campaigns inspired by The Three Kingdoms set to be released in May.

With the latest DLC for Age of Empires 4, titled Knights of Cross and Rose, my initial doubts were quickly put to rest. The innovative faction mechanics that this expansion brings are by far the most exciting new element in Age of Empires 4 thus far, and I eagerly anticipate future DLCs to continue in this vein.

Age of Empires 4 gets two new factions

From the title, it appears that Knights of Cross and Rose introduces two fresh factions – the Knights Templar and the House of Lancaster – into Age of Empires 4.

Although they share the label of Custom Factions, or Variant Civilizations, this term doesn’t fully capture the distinctiveness and enjoyment derived from playing them, particularly the Knights Templar. Instead, they could be referred to as unique and entertaining adaptations of existing factions.

As they progress through the ages, the Knights Templar often forge alliances with other knightly orders and groups, possibly expanding their forces to include the Knights Hospitaller or Genoese crossbowmen.

What stands out most is the Pilgrimage system. This allows the Knights Templar to accumulate wealth by securely transporting pilgrims to sacred locations marked on the map. They can then construct a Fortress nearby, stocked with defensive weapons, to ward off potential attacks while these pilgrims are traveling.

It makes perfect sense since the Knight Templar order initially served to safeguard travelers on their journey to Jerusalem. It’s remarkable, and not something I usually find when introducing a new faction in a real-time strategy game, as it significantly alters the fundamental way I play.

I’m quite eager to explore more of this. To be sure, experimenting with fresh units and leaders in the game is enjoyable, but what truly captivates me is when game designers take something rooted in historical context and creatively incorporate it into the mechanics, which is simply mesmerizing.

In an unique manner, the Knights Templar distinguish themselves from other factions in a way that none have managed to do so effectively, despite being enjoyable to employ. Straightforwardly, they even eclipse the House of Lancaster, though the latter remains entertaining to manipulate if you’re seeking a break from the usual English experience.

The lavish compliments don’t imply that I don’t see potential areas for improvement. The DLC encompasses several self-contained situations named Historical Battles, allowing players to engage in conflicts such as the Battle of Agincourt. While this is enjoyable, it doesn’t compare to receiving a complete new campaign.

In contrast to the previous installment, The Sultans Ascend, which featured a fresh campaign for advancement, this one does not include any such additional campaign.

If you’re mainly a fan of Age of Empires for its single-player mode, it might be wise to hold off on purchasing this DLC for now and look for a sale price in the future instead.

Still, I truly fervently hope that the team at World’s Edge, along with all its collaborating partners, don’t abandon this line of development. Currently, I’m playing Age of Empires 4 a lot more than I have since its launch, and I eagerly anticipate the introduction of additional civilizations in the future. Each new civilization should feel uniquely different to utilize and play.

Right now, Age of Empires 4 can be played on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and Windows PC (which includes playing through Steam or the Xbox App). Notably, this game is part of the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription as well as the PC Game Pass.

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2025-04-17 14:09