Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition is a real-time strategy game that brings the long-running franchise to PlayStation 5 with full controller support. Players build settlements, manage resources, advance through historical ages, and command armies across land and sea in battles drawn from centuries of world history. The console version preserves the depth of its PC origins while adapting controls for intuitive play without sacrificing tactical options.
Gameplay
The core loop centers on gathering resources like wood, food, gold, and stone to construct buildings, train units, and research technologies. Civilizations progress through four ages, unlocking stronger units and abilities with each advancement. Each of the ten available civilizations features unique units, bonuses, and playstyles that encourage different approaches to expansion and combat. Battles involve positioning infantry, cavalry, archers, and siege equipment while adapting to terrain and enemy compositions. Naval combat adds another layer when maps include waterways, requiring players to balance land forces with ship production and control.
Single-player options include a story-driven campaign mode that guides newcomers through objectives and mechanics. Robust tutorials cover basics like scouting, economy management, and unit counters. Experienced players can dive into skirmishes against AI opponents with adjustable difficulty and map settings. The emphasis remains on long-term planning, such as securing key resources early or preparing defenses against raids, rather than pure reflexes.
Game Modes
Standard matches form the foundation, where participants start with a town center and build from the ground up on randomly generated maps. Empire Wars mode begins players in the feudal age with pre-established bases, shifting focus toward mid-game military decisions and rapid expansion. Nomad mode removes the starting town center entirely, forcing players to explore and establish their first settlement from scratch for a more survival-oriented start.
Multiplayer supports ranked and unranked matches in both player-versus-player and cooperative formats. Sessions accommodate up to eight participants, allowing for large-scale team battles or free-for-all scenarios. Custom games let players set specific rules, map types, and victory conditions for tailored experiences. Leaderboards track competitive performance across these formats.
Civilizations and Campaigns
Ten civilizations offer distinct strategic identities, including the English with strong defensive structures, the Chinese with flexible economic bonuses, the Delhi Sultanate emphasizing elephant units, and the Malians focused on trade and gold generation. Additional options expand variety through unique landmarks and military traditions that alter how each faction approaches the four ages.
Four campaigns span 35 missions covering pivotal events from the Dark Ages through the Renaissance. Players lead historical figures such as Joan of Arc during her resistance against English forces or Genghis Khan in expansive conquests across Asia. Each campaign mixes narrative sequences with objectives that highlight civilization strengths, such as naval invasions or large-scale land assaults. Missions scale in complexity, teaching advanced tactics while advancing the historical story.
Is It Worth Playing?
The Anniversary Edition on PS5 delivers a complete package with all base content and expansions integrated at launch. Console players benefit from optimized performance, particularly on PS5 Pro hardware, where the game maintains smooth frame rates during large-scale battles involving hundreds of units. The controller scheme supports precise selection and camera control, making the transition from keyboard and mouse accessible for strategy fans new to consoles.
Reception highlights the polished presentation, historical accuracy in campaigns, and depth of civilization mechanics. Players seeking single-player campaigns or competitive online matches find substantial replay value through varied maps, civilizations, and modes. Those who enjoy methodical base-building paired with tactical combat will find the experience rewarding, especially if they appreciate historical themes and long matches that reward adaptation over speed. The current state includes ongoing support for the platform since its November 2025 release, with the full roster of content available to new players.
