Age of Empires IV: Dynasties of the East Review Summary

New civilizations appreciated: The introduction of new civilizations is well-received. Players appreciate the variety, uniqueness, and engaging gameplay these new factions bring to the game.

Crucible mode praised: The Crucible mode is highly praised for being fun, addictive, and replayable. Players describe it as a fantastic addition to the game, offering unique gameplay and significant replay value.

Variant civs are unique: The variant civilizations are noted for their uniqueness and the different gameplay mechanics they introduce. Players enjoy the fresh and distinct feel of these variants.

New PVE mode is fun: The new PVE mode, particularly the roguelite elements, is found to be very interesting and enjoyable. Players appreciate the new mode for its entertainment value and suitability for casual players.

New biomes enhance gameplay: The new biomes are praised for their beauty and the variety they add to the gameplay. Players find them visually appealing and enjoyable to play in.

Balance issues: There are widespread complaints about balance issues in the game. Players feel that some civilizations and units are overpowered or underpowered, leading to an unbalanced gameplay experience.

Perk point bugs: There are multiple reports of bugs related to perk points, including points not being awarded, resetting to zero, or disappearing when changing devices.

Game bugs and crashes: Players report various bugs and game crashes, including game-breaking bugs and instability issues that affect gameplay.

High pricing: Many players believe that the DLC is overpriced and not worth the cost. This sentiment is shared by several players who feel the content does not justify the price.

Lack of new campaigns: Players express a desire for new single-player or co-op story-driven campaigns, noting the lack of new campaign content.

Game mode variety: The game features a variety of modes, including single-player and multiplayer options, as well as new modes like the Crucible and wave defense.

Tughlaq Dynasty and healer elephants: The Tughlaq Dynasty focuses on elephants, particularly healer elephants, which have high survivability and can heal other units, adding a unique strategic element.

Unit balance and mechanics: Players have noted the need for balance patches and adjustments to unit mechanics to ensure fair and enjoyable gameplay.

Unique gameplay mechanics: The game introduces unique mechanics and objectives, adding depth and variety to the gameplay experience.

Matchmaking and multiplayer: The game features a matchmaking algorithm for multiplayer modes, which can affect the player experience.

Frequent game crashes: The game crashes at various points, including at startup, during gameplay, and after specific durations such as 5 minutes or 30-40 minutes.

Performance issues and FPS drops: The game experiences significant performance issues, including FPS drops, especially when dealing with large armies, and general lagging after updates.

Installation and loading issues: Players report problems with installing and loading the game, which prevents them from starting the game altogether.

Connection and disconnection problems: Players face frequent disconnections and connection interruptions, affecting the overall gaming experience.

Bugs at release: The game has notable bugs at release, impacting the initial player experience.

DLC highly recommended: The DLC is frequently recommended by players for its value and content, especially for those who enjoy the main game and the Crucible mode.

Future updates and DLCs: Players express hope for future updates, improvements, and high-quality DLCs, including new civilizations and game modes.

Co-op mode desired: Many players express a strong desire for a cooperative mode, particularly for the Crucible mode, to enhance the multiplayer experience.

Wait for patches or sales: Some players advise waiting for balance patches or sales before purchasing the DLC to ensure a better experience or value for money.

Chinese civilization improvements: Specific suggestions for improvements and additions to the Chinese civilization, including new technologies and adjustments to existing ones.

Community fair range: $15.00 - $20.00.

Game completion: 1000.0h.

Session length: 1.0h.

The game becomes fun immediately due to the engaging and addictive Crucible mode, which offers a unique and challenging single-player experience. Players enjoy the progression and strategic gameplay but desire a co-op mode for enhanced enjoyment.

Friction: Lack of co-op mode; Repetitive elements in Crucible mode.

Unlock drivers: Unique and challenging gameplay; Progression system; Roguelike/tower defense style.

PVE Enthusiast: Focuses on single-player modes and PVE challenges. Motivation: Enjoyment of single-player and cooperative PVE content. Stance: buy.

Competitive Multiplayer: Focuses on ranked and competitive multiplayer matches. Motivation: Competitive play and balance. Stance: sale.

Civilization Explorer: Enjoys trying out new civilizations and their distinct playstyles. Motivation: Exploration of new civilizations and their unique mechanics. Stance: buy.

Steam Deck: The user feedback indicates significant issues with the game's stability, frequent crashes, and various bugs. These problems severely impact the user experience, leading to frustration and a lack of enjoyment. The frequent crashes and data loss issues are particularly severe, as they disrupt gameplay and can lead to loss of progress.

Monetization: The user reviews for this DLC highlight several key themes. There are significant concerns about pay-to-win mechanics, with some factions being perceived as overpowered. The value for money is a contentious point, with mixed opinions on whether the content justifies the price. Some reviews suggest that the DLC is more suitable for long-time players rather than newcomers. Additionally, there are mentions of bugs and quality issues, with suggestions to improve the release state of future DLCs.

DLC available: The game offers downloadable content (DLC) for additional features or expansions.

More team colors requested: Players are asking for a wider variety of team colors to customize their experience.