The subsequent chapter of Age of Empires 4 is about to start, and this time we’re heading to Imperial China because the “quick and ruthless” forces of the Jin Dynasty arrive on the battlefield. The most recent addition to the roster do not really begin in your fingers; they’re the antagonistic risk on the middle of its new story marketing campaign. As soon as you have witnessed the fear of their would possibly first-hand, you can take cost of them for your self and lead them into motion.
This new Age of Empires 4 DLC follows a “legendary battle to avoid wasting a collapsing empire and its individuals,” performed out throughout a brand new eight-mission marketing campaign. Because the eponymous Yue Fei, you are main the Tune Dynasty in its battle in opposition to the invading Jin Dynasty. It is a brutal introduction to the brand new faction, who will maintain nothing again. When the heartland of northern China falls, will you’ve got what it takes to rally your damaged males into a final stand in opposition to “a seemingly unstoppable enemy?”
I like this technique of bringing a brand new civilization into the longstanding technique sport. Whenever you’re answerable for the recent faces from the beginning, it might probably usually really feel like they’re simply warming up as you get used to what they’re able to. Right here you get to see that vicious effectivity up shut, making it all of the extra satisfying while you’re in a position to take the hotseat and make use of these ways to your individual ends.
The Jin Dynasty concentrate on cavalry and sieges, utilizing their Horse Grasslands to spice up army manufacturing and churn out a relentless tide of warriors on horseback. Their Iron Pagoda elite cavalry are sturdy and able to carving by large swathes of the opposing forces in fast vogue, whereas the Mohe Tribesman replaces the usual mounted archers, buying and selling out harm for extra mobility.
They’re fast to unfold throughout the map, using Mounted Villagers to maneuver and collect extra effectively, or using Emissaries able to capturing impartial settlements and establishing Tributaries. From right here, you may rapidly arrange recent borders, defend your new entrance line utilizing Meng’an Mouke Retains, and double down in your financial powerhousing with Reindeer Merchants.
Because the late sport approaches, the Jin Dynasty makes use of gunpowder to nice impact, making certain they do not lose steam. As a substitute, their sieges get much more terrifying. Mounted Grenadiers deliver an explosive twist to their heavy cavalry providing, whereas their Eruptors are close-range models that carry a “primitive burst hand cannon,” able to devastating scatter-shot assaults.
Yue Fei’s Legacy additionally introduces two new biomes to AoE 4 – Madagascar and Yellow River – and 4 extra maps. Developer World’s Edge guarantees “windswept grasslands, lush river valleys, and freezing desert plateaus that form each choice – the place you construct, the place you raid, and the place you make your final stand.”
The Age of Empires 4 Yue Fei’s Legacy DLC launches on Thursday Could 7, 2026. It is priced at $14.99 / £12.49, however there is a 15% pre-purchase low cost, that means you may pay simply $12.74 / £10.62 in case you purchase it earlier than it releases. Head right here to have a look for your self.
I like an excellent battle for survival in my RTS video games, and the concept of then with the ability to flip the tables and take cost of the oppressive would possibly of the Jin Dynasty’s forces is equally interesting. “On the battlefield, you might flip the tide,” World’s Edge teases, “however within the imperial courtroom, betrayal might show deadlier than any enemy.”
