Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition Arrives for Xbox Consoles
Prepare yourself for battle because Age of Empires IV has made its way to Xbox consoles. This highly anticipated addition to the iconic strategy series was announced during Gamescom’s Opening Night Live and is now available to play on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One. As a lucky player who had the chance to try it in advance, here’s everything you need to know.
Conquering Comfortably with Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition
In response to the overwhelming demand from the dedicated Age of Empires community, Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition is bringing the classic real-time strategy (RTS) experience to your living room. This installment joins Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition, which was released on Xbox consoles earlier this year.
If you’re a console player eager to enter the battlefield for the first time or returning after a long hiatus, Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition on Xbox consoles is the perfect starting point. The new tutorial guides you through the basics of building a settlement, gathering resources, and amassing an army, all before you lay siege to your enemies. This step-by-step introduction quickly reintroduced me to the mechanics, allowing me to jump back into the action seamlessly.
Historical Civilizations and Campaigns
Equipped with the knowledge gained from the tutorial levels, you’ll be ready to take on the challenge of playing as one of the ten historical civilizations spanning the High Middle Ages to the Early Renaissance. Additionally, the game offers four single-player campaigns based on historical wars from those periods. The tutorial levels allowed me to experience the English and French civilizations during the Norman Conquest, directly preparing me for the main campaign.
Controller-Friendly Interface and New Features
Managing armies with thumbsticks initially felt overwhelming, but Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition has expertly designed controls. World’s Edge, Climax Studios, and Relic Entertainment have meticulously optimized the console controls, condensing keyboard shortcuts into a user-friendly interface. The new radial menu allows for seamless switching between building tools, villager actions, and military commands. The Villager Priority System is a noteworthy addition, enabling players to assign tasks to villagers at the click of a button, ensuring efficient resource management.
An Immersive and Responsive Experience
Playing Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition with a controller offered a refreshing and responsive experience. The controls felt smooth and allowed me to effortlessly switch between units, quickly bring in reinforcements, and fully immerse myself in the action. The console version also supports the traditional keyboard and mouse inputs for seasoned players who prefer that setup.
Pick up Your Spear and Join the Conquest
Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition has firmly established itself on Xbox consoles, ready to provide countless hours of strategic gameplay. Whether you’re a fan of the series or new to the franchise, this latest installment offers a compelling real-time strategy experience. You can start your conquest today by picking up Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One, or play it via Game Pass.