Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition Review Summary

Last updated: 2026-09-23
Review summary
  • Unique and diverse civilizations
  • Good overall fun gameplay
  • Broken matchmaking disrupts online play
  • Frequent game crashes and instability
  • Beautiful and polished graphics
  • Deep strategic variety and replayability
Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition header

Categories

Real-time StrategyHistorical StrategyBase BuildingResource ManagementCompetitive MultiplayerSingle-player CampaignsMod Support

Emotions

Archetypes

Hardware

Windows 12-15GB VRAMnegativeWindows <8GB VRAM / <16GB RAMmixed

Snapshot History

Positive
Negative
284
51%
49%
441
51%
49%
Sample precision
Helpful reviews
88%
Unhelpful reviews
11%
Protest reviews
0%
Positive points
1018
Negative points
1046
Gameplay points
980
Perf. points
127
Rec. points
238
Misc points
461
Point
Unique and diverse civilizations
Description
Each civilization feels completely different, with unique units, mechanics, and playstyles that encourage varied strategies. This diversity is frequently highlighted as a major strength of the game.
Importance
28%
Good overall fun gameplay
Description
Many players find the game fun, solid, and well-made, with core gameplay that is enjoyable and engaging. It is generally considered a good game that is easy to recommend.
Importance
26%
Beautiful and polished graphics
Description
The visuals are frequently described as beautiful, clean, and well-crafted, with notable improvements over previous titles. Some minor comments mention a preference for less brightness, but overall the graphics are highly praised.
Importance
16%
Deep strategic variety and replayability
Description
The game offers a great balance between accessibility and depth, with diverse strategies and endless replayability. Players find it addictive once they learn the different civilizations and strategies.
Importance
9%
Great campaign experiences
Description
The single-player campaigns are well-made, fun, and plentiful, adding significant value to the game. Players appreciate the quality and quantity of campaign content.
Importance
7%
Favorable comparison to predecessors
Description
Reviewers note that the game is more dynamic, fluid, and visually appealing than earlier Age of Empires titles, making it a worthy successor. It is often considered better than AoE2 and AoE3 in various aspects.
Importance
7%
Classic Age of Empires feel
Description
The game successfully blends classic Age of Empires gameplay with modern mechanics, respecting the legacy while keeping the genre fresh. This balance is appreciated by fans of the series.
Importance
6%
Large amount of content
Description
There is a vast selection of civilizations and playstyles, providing plenty of content to explore. The variety of buildings and units further enhances the experience.
Importance
5%
Enjoyable multiplayer experience
Description
Multiplayer is fun and well-received, with specific mentions of playing as the Ottomans. It adds significant value for players who enjoy competitive or cooperative online play.
Importance
5%