Info about Age of Empires IV: Knights of Cross and Rose :

Official game description:
Embark on an epic journey with Age of Empires IV: Knights of Cross and Rose, the newest DLC that puts you in command of two well-known armies inspired by history. Whether you’re a seasoned strategist or new to the series, this DLC delivers rich, historically inspired content that can be enjoyed across a variety of modes.
Featuring variant civilizations that expand upon the concept, this DLC introduces the Knights Templar and House of Lancaster, which innovate upon the French and English. These armies bring with them a war chest full of unique units, game mechanics, and strategies. Command the indomitable Knights Templar with their valorous crusaders and blend of European military traditions that offer a wide range of possible strengths. Marshal the resolute forces of the House of Lancaster, steeped in the turmoil of The War of the Roses and possessing unparalleled ranged tactics; the House of Lancaster utilizes their thriving economy to acquire technological advantages little known in Europe at the time. Both variant civilizations offer engaging new combat opportunities, ensuring every match is a clash of wits and courage alike.
Live the legacy of these iconic armies in the new action-packed game mode: Historical Battles. Rally the Knights Templar and House of Lancaster in missions inspired by iconic historic confrontations. Lead the Knights Templar in the Battle of Montgisard as they stave off Saladin’s forces. Ensure the House of Lancaster’s survival against the Yorkists after a calamitous defeat at Towton.
Designed to give you a glimpse into pivotal moments in history, these four missions offer the opportunity to challenge your skills in repeat plays as you try new strategies and earn medals. Each mission includes an optional Conqueror Mode for the especially brave of heart.
What's more, this DLC enriches your skirmish and multiplayer encounters with 10 new maps. Navigate diverse terrains that range from lush countrysides to treacherous battlegrounds, each demanding tailored strategies and keen insight. Whether you're skirting the flanks in a multiplayer clash or plotting a singleplayer siege on hallowed historical grounds, these maps ensure there's always a fresh field to test your mettle.
With this new content, Knights of Cross and Rose, is set to captivate both new and returning players alike. The Historical Battles offer concentrated yet intense challenges for those who prefer solo play that emphasizes adept strategy, while the Knights Templar and House of Lancaster expand further upon the unique elements of variant civilizations. Expect an immersive experience with these compelling additions to the beloved Age of Empires IV universe—a true testament to the franchise's continual growth and innovation.
Secure your journey into the heart of medieval conflict, where legends are forged, and empires rise from the crucible of battle. Build massive armies. Command your troops. Claim your place in history with Age of Empires IV: Knights of Cross and Rose.

Release date: Apr 8, 2025

Categories: Real-Time Strategy, Historical Strategy, Multiplayer, Civilization Building, Warfare Simulation, Campaign Mode, Faction Management

Feature scans:
- MTX: score 85; verdict: Predatory Monetization; summary: The user reviews indicate significant concerns about the monetization and value of the DLC. Key issues include the perception of the DLC being 'pay-to-win,' offering less content compared to previous DLCs at the same price, and a general sense of greed in the pricing strategy. These factors contribute to a negative user experience and dissatisfaction with the DLC.
- Steam Deck: score 90; verdict: Broken; summary: The analysis of user feedback reveals significant stability issues, with multiple reports of crashes and instability. These issues severely impact the user experience and are categorized as high severity. Additionally, there are feature requests that, while important, are of lower severity compared to the stability problems.

- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $7.00 - $10.00
  - Reasoning: The evidence shows that users are generally dissatisfied with the pricing of the DLC, particularly when compared to previous DLCs like 'Sultan's Ascend.' Many users feel that the content provided does not justify the price, especially for single-player focused players who find the lack of historical campaigns and limited missions unsatisfying. The recurring theme is that the DLC is perceived as overpriced and lacking in substantial new content.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 10.0h
  - Story completion: 2.0h
  - Session length: 1.0h
  - Endgame: N/A
  - Reasoning: The evidence provided includes direct mentions of playtime and campaign experiences. One user mentions playing around 5-6 hours of the DLC, which gives a sense of session length. Another user talks about the replayability of historical battles, suggesting that these can be completed multiple times, which hints at the story completion time. The lack of a full campaign is noted, which affects the overall game completion time. The endgame content is implied to be limited based on the criticism of the DLC's content.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: The game is fun immediately for multiplayer-focused players, with new civilizations and maps enhancing the experience. Solo players or those interested in campaigns may find it less enjoyable.
  - Stance: Fun immediately
  - Anchor: Multiplayer experience with new civilizations and maps
  - Time to anchor: 0h 0m
  - Friction: Learning curve with new terms and unique units; Lack of campaign content; Initial disappointment with DLC content
  - Unlock drivers: New civilizations; Diverse multiplayer maps
  - Conditions: Playing with friends; Enjoying multiplayer RTS games; Appreciating strategic gameplay
- Player Archetypes:
  - Competitive Strategist (buy)
    - Motivation: Enjoys the strategic depth and competitive multiplayer aspects of the game.
    - Playstyle: Focuses on mastering new competitive lines and strategies, particularly in multiplayer modes.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: multiplayer gamer; competitive player
    - Reference games: Starcraft 2; Total War: Warhammer III
  - Story-Driven Campaigner (sale)
    - Motivation: Enjoys rich, story-driven single-player campaigns and historical battles.
    - Playstyle: Prefers single-player modes, focusing on campaign missions and historical battles.
    - Experience: mixed
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: single-player enthusiast; campaign lover
    - Reference games: Age of Empires II
  - Value-Conscious Gamer (deep sale)
    - Motivation: Seeks good value for money and compares content and pricing to previous expansions.
    - Playstyle: Enjoys the game but is cautious about spending money on DLCs that do not offer sufficient content.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: deep sale
    - Labels: value-conscious player; budget gamer
    - Reference games: Age of Empires II


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Positive reception of new civilizations (weight 0.52): The new civilizations introduced in the DLC are well-received for their uniqueness, innovation, and fun gameplay. Players enjoy the variety and fresh mechanics these civilizations bring.
- Templars praised for uniqueness (weight 0.46): Players consistently highlight the Knights Templar as a highly unique and enjoyable civilization to play. They appreciate the rich historical background, varied gameplay options, and unique units and mechanics, such as the Pilgrims.
- DLC offers good value (weight 0.2): Many players feel that the DLC is worth the price, offering good value for the content provided. They appreciate the reasonable pricing and the quality of the new civilizations and features.
- Developers responsive and quick (weight 0.2): Players commend the developers for their responsiveness and quick action in addressing balance issues. The developers are seen as active and engaged with the community.
- House of Lancaster praised (weight 0.16): The House of Lancaster is noted for being beginner-friendly, enjoyable, and having strong archers. Players appreciate its unique features and gameplay potential.
- Historical battles and missions (weight 0.1): The historical battles and new single-player missions are enjoyed by players. They find these additions challenging and a pleasant inclusion for single-player gameplay.
- New maps add variety (weight 0.1): The new maps introduced in the DLC are well-received for adding variety and enjoyment to the gameplay. Players appreciate the new multiplayer maps and the overall variety they bring.

Common complaints:
- High price for limited content (weight 0.6): Many players feel that the DLC is overpriced given the limited amount of content it offers. Comparisons are frequently made to previous DLCs, which provided more content at a similar or lower price point.
- Balance issues with new civilizations (weight 0.3): The new civilizations introduced in the DLC are seen as overpowered and unbalanced. This includes specific mentions of the House of Lancaster and other new civs being too strong and needing adjustments.
- Lack of new and unique civilizations (weight 0.17): Players are disappointed with the lack of fundamentally new civilizations. The DLC is criticized for offering variant civilizations rather than entirely new ones, leading to a sense of stagnation.
- No new campaign (weight 0.09): Players are disappointed with the lack of a new campaign in the DLC. The absence of a campaign or the poor quality of the single-player campaign is a common critique.
- Lack of innovation and originality (weight 0.09): The DLC is criticized for lacking innovation and originality. Players feel that the content is not fresh or exciting enough, leading to a boring and stale experience.
- Comparison to previous DLCs (weight 0.07): Players frequently compare this DLC unfavorably to previous ones, particularly Sultan's Ascent. The general consensus is that this DLC offers less content and value compared to its predecessors.
- Cheating problems (weight 0.04): There are reports of cheating problems and issues with the AI cheating, which detracts from the overall experience and fairness of the game.

Gameplay feedback:
- Two variant civilizations introduced (weight 0.19): The DLC introduces two variant civilizations, specifically the English and French, each with unique characteristics and gameplay styles.
- Knights Templar as unique faction (weight 0.18): The Knights Templar are highlighted for their unique features, including sending out pilgrims to sacred sites and having a distinct gameplay style with unique units and strong defense.
- New civilizations with unique mechanics (weight 0.15): New civilizations have been added, each with unique mechanics, languages, skins, buildings, and units, offering diverse gameplay experiences.
- Historical Battles and Challenges (weight 0.1): Historical Battles are designed to be replayed with various challenges, adding a layer of depth and replayability to the game.
- Unique units and gameplay mechanics (weight 0.1): New unique units and gameplay mechanics have been introduced, enhancing the overall gaming experience with fresh content.
- Additional game modes (weight 0.1): New game modes have been added, including PvP and PvE modes, enhancing the variety of gameplay options.
- House of Lancaster gameplay (weight 0.08): The House of Lancaster is introduced as an aggressive sub-civilization of the English, with a different gameplay style and balance.
- Multiplayer and skirmish modes (weight 0.07): The game includes multiplayer strategy modes and single-player skirmishes, providing various ways to engage with the game.

Performance notes:
- Game crashes and stability issues (weight 0.07): Players report that the game frequently crashes, randomly closes itself, and has installation issues. These problems significantly impact the gameplay experience.
- Deteriorated visual quality (weight 0.04): Players have noticed a significant decline in the visual quality of the game, including graphics and map visuals.
- Performance issues and lag (weight 0.02): There are notable performance issues, including lag, which affect the smoothness and enjoyment of the game.
- General bug reports (weight 0.02): Players have reported encountering several bugs, though specific details about these bugs are not provided.
- Steam Deck compatibility (weight 0.02): There are mentions of the game in the context of Steam Deck, but the specific issues or praises are not detailed.

Recommendations:
- Buy on sale or discount (weight 0.22): Many players recommend purchasing the game or DLC only when it is on sale or available at a discounted price. This suggests that while the content is valued, the full price may not be seen as worth it by a significant portion of the community.
- Positive overall recommendation (weight 0.08): There is an overall positive recommendation for the game and its DLC, indicating that despite some criticisms, the general sentiment is favorable.
- Recommended for RTS and multiplayer fans (weight 0.07): The game and its DLC are highly recommended for fans of real-time strategy (RTS) games and those who enjoy multiplayer gameplay. This indicates that the content is well-received by players who are enthusiastic about these specific genres.
- Worth buying for additional content (weight 0.07): Players find the DLC worth purchasing for the additional content it provides, including new civilizations and gameplay options. This suggests that the DLC offers significant value in terms of expanding the game's content.
- Specific recommendations for certain player groups (weight 0.06): The DLC is recommended for specific player groups, such as those who love the game and want more options, or those who enjoy medieval-style games. This suggests that the content is particularly well-suited for these audiences.
- Recommended for Age of Empires fans (weight 0.06): The game and DLC are particularly recommended for fans of the Age of Empires series, especially those who enjoy Age of Empires IV. This indicates that the content is well-suited for long-time fans of the franchise.
- Support the developers (weight 0.04): Some players emphasize the importance of supporting the game developers. This suggests a positive sentiment towards the development team and a desire to see continued support and updates for the game.
- Suggestions for future DLCs (weight 0.04): Players have suggestions for future DLCs, including adding more factions and campaigns. This indicates a desire for continued expansion and improvement of the game.
- Consider other DLCs (weight 0.02): Some players suggest considering other DLCs if budget is a concern, indicating that there are alternative options that might offer better value for money.
- Caution before purchasing (weight 0.02): Some players advise thinking twice before purchasing the DLC, indicating that it may not meet everyone's expectations or offer sufficient value.
- Ignore negative feedback (weight 0.02): A few players advise ignoring the negative feedback and haters, suggesting that the criticisms may not reflect the overall quality of the game.

Other player notes:
- Correct weapon names in text (weight 0.02): Players request fixing the weapon names in the text for the Shinra upgrade dual hammer warrior panel to reflect accurate names such as '破甲锤', '页锤', and '双手锤' instead of the incorrect '木棍'.

Emotions:
- Disappointment (weight 0.3): Players are disappointed due to the lack of a dedicated Templars campaign and the absence of new campaigns in general. The perceived lack of value for money, high pricing, and comparison to previous DLCs like Sultans Ascend also contribute to this sentiment. Additionally, the lack of unique civilizations and the reuse of assets are significant factors.
- Frustration (weight 0.16): Players are frustrated with balance issues, particularly with the House of Lancaster and new civilizations. Technical problems such as game crashes, DLC not unlocking, and matchmaking issues are also major sources of frustration. The lack of new civilizations and content, as well as the perceived imbalance in multiplayer, further exacerbate this emotion.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.14): Players are satisfied with the new civilizations and their unique features, such as the Templars and House of Lancaster. The enjoyment of new historical battles, gameplay mechanics, and the perceived value for money contribute to this satisfaction. Additionally, the responsiveness of developers to balance issues and the overall quality of the DLC content are appreciated.
- Anger (weight 0.12): Players are angry due to the perceived lack of value for money, high pricing, and lack of new content. The weakening of old content and issues with game mechanics, as well as the perceived greed and low quality of the DLC, contribute to this anger. Additionally, the lack of new campaigns and misleading descriptions further fuel this emotion.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.06): Players enjoy the new civilizations and their unique gameplay mechanics. The fun and challenging aspects of playing with new factions, as well as the enjoyment of historical battles mode, contribute to this positive emotion. The overall fun and engaging content of the DLC are highlighted as key reasons for enjoyment.
- Excitement (weight 0.06): Players are excited about the new civilizations, such as the Knights Templar, and the creativity of the nations. The introduction of new game mechanics, variant civilizations, and the potential of future updates and content contribute to this excitement. The fun missions and developer responsiveness also add to the overall positive experience.
- Appreciation (weight 0.03): Players appreciate the developers' hard work, responsiveness, and engagement with the community. The positive feedback on new missions and civilizations, as well as the alterations in play styles, are significant factors. The care and quality put into the game by the developers are highly valued.
- Happy (weight 0.02): Players are happy with the enjoyment of new civilization variants and the overall game development. The developers' reactivity and improvements, as well as the enjoyment of new civs and quick patch responses, contribute to this happiness. The positive experience with the DLC and Templar civilization is also a key factor.
- Excited (weight 0.01): Players are excited about the new mechanics and gameplay introduced with the Knights Templar and other new civilizations. The enjoyment of the medieval theme, new units, and the unique and fun aspects of the new factions contribute to this excitement. The introduction of new factions and maps also adds to the overall positive experience.
- Disappointed (weight 0.01): Players are disappointed due to the lack of originality and the perception of a cash grab. The comparison to previous DLCs like Sultan's Ascent, as well as the lack of content and high price, contribute to this sentiment. The Byzantines not having enough unique units is also a significant factor.
- Satisfied (weight 0.01): Players are satisfied with the enjoyment of the civilizations and historical battle mode. The amount of content and new civilizations, as well as the recommendation of the DLC in isolation, contribute to this satisfaction. The unique civs and the overall quality of the content are appreciated.
- Confusion (weight 0.01): Players are confused about the lack of campaigns with the DLC and the absence of a campaign mode. The uncertainty about the missing historical campaigns and the DLC not appearing as a campaign contribute to this confusion. The unclear communication about the DLC content is a significant factor.
- Frustrated (weight 0.01): Players are frustrated with the high price for less content and the imbalance issues. The quick nerfs and the new content not being available are also major sources of frustration. The perceived lack of value and the technical issues further exacerbate this emotion.
- Enthusiasm (weight 0.01): Players are enthusiastic about the game and its community, as well as the positive experience with new content. The support for the developers and game updates, along with the enjoyment of the new civilizations and mechanics, contribute to this enthusiasm. The overall positive experience with the DLC and its content is highly valued.
- Love (weight 0.01): Players love the developer updates and the introduction of new civilizations. The positive experience with the new content and the ideas in the DLC contribute to this love. The overall enjoyment of the game and its updates is a key factor.
- Angry (weight 0): Players are angry due to the lack of new content and the high price. The reskinned content and poor execution, as well as the perceived lack of value for money, contribute to this anger. The technical issues and the lack of developer response further fuel this emotion.
- Hope (weight 0): Players have hope for more focus on the current game and the potential of future updates. The newest patch being promising and the potential for more content contribute to this hope. The overall positive outlook on the game's future is a key factor.
- Happiness (weight 0): Players are happy with the positive experience with the DLC and the enjoyment of seeing Templars. The overall fun and engaging content of the DLC, as well as the enjoyment of new civilizations, contribute to this happiness. The positive experience with the game and its updates is highly valued.
- Concern (weight 0): Players are concerned about the community reactions and the potential impact on future DLCs. The comparison to past practices and the potential negative impact on the game's future contribute to this concern. The overall uncertainty about the game's direction is a significant factor.
- Boredom (weight 0): Players are bored due to the repetitive gameplay, such as players turtling the whole game. The lack of variety and the monotonous gameplay mechanics contribute to this boredom. The overall lack of engaging content and the repetitive nature of the game are significant factors.}