The word streamlined or simplified can take on a certain meaning when it comes to the strategy games we play. With Age of Empires IV, you’ve not only got a game that feels in line with the best of the series, it’s the most impressive strategy game in years. Age of Empires IV might be the first mainline release since 2005’s Age III, but thanks to a string of Definitive Edition remasters and continued support in the form of content drops for games like Age of Empires II - it’s relevancy hasn’t waned. Realistic units and weapons and structures filtered through the guise of something that is fun to learn and play. The Age of Empires franchise is one that has a rich history in the PC landscape, whilst using real-world history to define its distinct tone. And with examples few and far between in 2021, having something exceptional arrive takes on an extra special quality.
Dating back to the time PC games first integrated the mouse and keyboard for input the isometric perspective of the RTS, the real-time combat, the shoring up of defences, and training a large force to take on threats is still timeless. Age of Empires IV is something of a marvel, a modern-day RTS released at a time when the real-time strategy genre exists mainly on the periphery of the genre landscape.
