Mini Review: Age of Empires 4: Anniversary Edition (PS5) – Timeless RTS Formula with Some Modern Twists

Age of Empires 4: Anniversary Edition is a fantastic addition to the long-running real-time strategy series that first gained popularity in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Okay, so Relic Entertainment made this game back in 2021, and it originally came out on Xbox. Now, finally, us PS5 players get to jump in! And the best part? It’s not just the base game – it comes with all the extra content and DLC they’ve released since then. It’s a really polished experience, honestly.

Age of Empires 4 offers many missions across different campaigns, each based on the stories of real people and cultures, including William the Conqueror and the Normans, as well as the Mongols led by Genghis Khan.

Each mission begins with an introduction similar to a History Channel documentary, combining actual footage of historical locations with scenes from the game itself.

Players who win the game can unlock special video clips called “Hands on History.” These clips include interviews with historians and experts who discuss interesting topics like how castles were built and the use of flaming arrows – and we found them really engaging!

Okay, so the user interface has been completely revamped, and it’s clearly built for playing with a controller now. They’ve kept all the awesome stuff from Age of Mythology: Retold – like super simple commands and ways to automate managing your villagers and economy, which saved me a ton of time before. But honestly, it’s still a little clunky and I’m having to relearn some things.

Besides the main story, players can enjoy realistic medieval battles on randomly created maps against computer opponents, or compete online with other players to climb the leaderboards.

Each civilization offers a distinct way to play, with its own strengths and weaknesses. For example, the Germanic Holy Roman Empire features strong Landsknechte soldiers who can attack multiple enemies at once, and Prelate units that help villagers gather resources faster using special religious items.

The French excel in this age thanks to their strong cavalry – the best around – combined with innovative cannons and beneficial trade opportunities.

Age of Empires IV is one of the most visually appealing strategy games available, and it performs exceptionally well on the PS5 Pro, showcasing its impressive quality and detail.

Age of Empires 4: Anniversary Edition successfully builds on the series’ history while also moving forward with exciting new features. It’s a complex and rewarding game where you’ll continually discover fresh strategies and nuances with each playthrough.

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2025-11-14 21:07