Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition on Console Gets a Surprise Release – and We’ve Played It 

Sharpen up your spears; saddle your soldiers. Age of Empires III, has finally arrived and is ready to dominate your console. The latest instalment of our iconic strategy series arrived as a surprise announcement during Gamescom’s Opening Night Live and is available to play on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One from today. And I’ve been lucky enough to play it in advance – here’s what you need to know. 

Age of Empires is now available on Xbox One. Age of Empires III: Anniversary editionBrings the RTS classic experience into your living room so you can dominate in comfort. The game also includes Age of Empires II Definitive editionXbox One consoles have been available since January.  

If you’re a console player eager to step onto the battlefield for the first time, or returning after a long time away like I am, Age of Empires III: Anniversary editionXbox consoles are a great place to begin. This tutorial will guide you through building a settlement and gathering food and wood before you can lay siege on your enemy. It was a great way to get me back in the game. 

Armed with this fresh knowledge, you’ll be ready to take on 10 different historical civilizations found between the High Middle Ages and the Early Renaissance, as well as battle through four single-player campaigns based on historical wars from those periods. I was able to learn about the English and French cultures as part of Norman Conquest and the tutorials left me at the perfect point for me to jump into the main campaign.

While I was initially overwhelmed by the idea of managing my armies with thumbsticks,  there’s really nothing to worry about. The controls have been finely tuned by the strategy experts at World’s Edge, Climax Studios and Relic Entertainment to deftly condense all those keyboard shortcuts into an intuitive controller-friendly interface, and it feels absolutely wonderful. A new, console-specific radial menu makes it easy to switch between the building tools, villagers actions, and military commands.  

There’s a new Villager Priority System too, which allows you to set your villagers off doing certain tasks at the click of a button. I find this system very useful, since I often forget to check on my population. Then, when I do, there are a couple of people standing in a corner, waiting for my commands. No berry, or nugget of gold, will be left unpicked with this efficient new system. 

There’s nothing quite like enjoying the fruits of your labor as your cavalry barges through a palisade, while a strategically placed group of archers picks off a group of unsuspecting spearmen, and the controls ensured that I didn’t miss a single arrow. It was easy to move between different units, I could click back in the action using a single key, and use the selection tools when it got difficult. It’s a refreshing controller experience.  

Seasoned Age of Empires III players will also feel right at home with these new console controls, but if you’d prefer to stick with your trusty keyboard and mouse, do not fear – those inputs are also supported inside the console version of the game as well.  

Like the ancient conquerors, Age of Empires III: Anniversary edition has confidently planted its flag on Xbox consoles and it’s here to stay, and I daresay it is now stronger than ever.  

Grab a ride Age of Empires III: Anniversary editionYou can play this game on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One right now, or play it via Game Pass. 

Age of Empires III: Anniversary edition

Xbox Game Studios

☆☆☆☆☆
3

★★★★★

Age of Empires IV Anniversary Edition continues the best-selling and award-winning strategy series that has delighted millions of players around the globe in its first year. You will be at the heart of more historical battles which shaped our world.

Featuring both familiar and innovative new ways to expand your empire in vast landscapes with stunning 4K visual fidelity, Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition brings an evolved real-time strategy game to the next level in this celebratory new version that includes a host of free new content such as brand-new civilizations, new maps, additional in-game updates and languages, and new masteries, challenges, taunts and cheats – all at an amazing value that packs in more history than ever before!

Two New Civilizations, 8 New Maps – Lead the mighty Malians of West Africa as one of the richest trading nations of all-time as you focus on strong economic prowess in mining and investing in gold.

Or assemble one of the longest lasting empires in history with the Ottoman civilization and its well-trained military force, which features the largest gunpowder siege weapons available – the Great Bombards – mighty cannons that can fell any opponents who stand in your way.

Customize Your Game with Mods (Beta) – Chart your own course with powerful creator tools in the latest beta release of Mod Editor. Create unique multiplayer missions, create custom skirmish map, create data driven tuning packages, and think of new game modes for Age of Empires IV.

Return to History – The past is prologue as you are immersed in a rich historical setting of 10 diverse civilizations across the world from the English to the Chinese to the Delhi Sultanate in your quest for victory. In 4 campaigns, you will manage your resources and command troops in battles on land and sea. The missions span 500 years from the Dark Ages to the Renaissance.

An Age for All Players – Age of Empires IV is an inviting experience for new players with a tutorial system that teaches the essence of real-time strategy and a Campaign Story Mode designed for first time players to help achieve easy setup and success, yet is challenging enough for veteran players with new game mechanics, evolved strategies, and combat techniques.

Challenge the World – Jump online to compete, cooperate or spectate with up to 7 of your friends in PVP and PVE multiplayer modes that include ranked seasons and much more!

Choose Your Path to Greatness with Historical Figures – Live the adventures of Joan of Arc in her quest to defeat the English, or command mighty Mongol troops as Genghis Khan in his conquest across Asia. The choice is yours – and every decision you make will determine the outcome of history.