Age of Empires 4

I never got into AOE 3.. probably should have given it a decent go but we always used to play 2 (including the Empire Battlegrounds ripoff).. Loved the coop game mechanics too much.

 

Dang I did not get a BETA invite...then checked my insiders account status, turns out I forgot to upload a dxdiag of the system....woops

 

COH2 is a bit of a slug.

Preventing the "go to" strategies requires constant balancing which still takes place in COH2, but hasn't eliminated them completely.

 

Definitely feels more like 2 than 3. It's clear that Relic saw what was the most popular AOE (AOE2) and based it off that. Same setting helps as well.

There are some odd inclusions that need fixing. The zoom is way off. It feels "too" zoomed in (similar to Warcraft 3?), but you can't zoom any further out. If you're used to AOE2, it feels far too zoomed in. There is also some odd UI choices. The graphics are good, but I definitely feel the colour palette could be improved, as could some textures. Pretty 'cartoony'.

 

Closed beta play leaked/released



Haven't seen it all... the messy start turned me off...

 

That literally looks like Age of Mythology

 

These shots were taken from a low/medium 1080p setup... gtx970 can't do much these days.
Fyi, still above 60 fps at all times and probably could have gone all medium.

 

Looks rubbish

 

Yeah I'm note a fan of the zoom scale.

 

I can tell you that is the number one complaint on the BETA forums. As is the cluttered mini map.

There needs to be an additional texture/graphics setting. I feel the 'High' is not quite detailed enough. There should be another that increases the texture and model quality. I will try and post some screenshots at full detail @ 1440p this arvo/tonight for you all.

 

I get it though - you want to be zoomed in enough to appreciate the graphic detail, but for me at least in a game like this I need to be ale to zoom out to see my town, the walls and whats outside so I can fend off attacks in time..I'm okay with not seeing the texture on the buildings, its not why I play these games. Dammit I wish I'd signed up for the beta alot earlier

 

If you sign up now, you might get in. They have extended the beta until August 19th, and apparently sending out more invites on August 16th. Seems like they have a patch in the works and want some feedback.

 

Done, thanks for the heads up

 

Stress test this weekend available for everyone. 22GB download.

https://www.ageofempires.com/news/ageiv-tech-stress-test/

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1466860/Age_of_Empires_IV/

 

Been watching a few gameplay videos on youtube.... it looks fucking horrible. Like a few people have said it looks like the shitty mobile games. I peronsally think AOE2 DE looks better.

 

Played about an hour during stress test.
Think I’ll give it a miss.

Graphics are meh.
Gameplay isn’t as good as AoE2
UI is shit.

 

I'm still playing AOE2 DE with a few mates. I'm still shit, but love the game.

 

Yeah, I know it was a stress test but it was thoroughly disappointing seeing 4 in the flesh. It didn't have any of the enjoyment of 2 for me, and just felt like a re-hashed version of Age of Mythology. yes it has new graphics (which again, look like they were stolen from AOM) but it was missing any enjoyment from a gameplay perspective. I really do think those of us that have been around for long enough have been spoilt by AOE2.

 

*crickets*

 

Installing now, hopefully make some time over the weekend to give it a try