Age of Empires 4 will launch with four different campaigns, the first of which focuses on the Norman Conquest and its aftermath. The news was shared as part of today’s Fan Preview event, during which we learned a slew of new details about the upcoming strategy game and other titles in the franchise.
Age of Empires 4’s Norman campaign starts in 1066, as Harold Godwinson and William, Duke of Normandy clash at the Battle of Hastings, but won’t limit itself to just the events that took place during that year.
Age of Empires 4 Norman Campaign
Campaigns will benefit from “a little larger scale,” according to Narrative Director Philippe Boulle, at least when compared to those in Age of Empires 2. Where those focused on single historical characters, Age of Empires 4’s are divided into chapters that put different protagonists in the spotlight.
The first chapter of the Norman campaign is all about the Battle of Hastings, but future ones go further in time, revolving around William the Conqueror’s children and beyond. The campaign covers “the whole story of the Norman Conquest,” to the point of signing the Magna Carta.
Although it will retain a lot of the elements that made the series popular, Age of Empires IV also features “a lot of new innovations”, according to Game Director Quinn Duffy.
The single player campaigns will be presented in a “modern documentary style” that allows the developer to “connect history and gameplay.” These videos, filmed around the world, will help bridge the gap between the different time periods covered.
Gameplay-wise, hero units will be present in all four campaigns, depicting important historical figures. Players can also expect asymmetrical civilizations, different age-up mechanics, and other features covered in our article on the Fan Preview event’s gameplay deep dive.
Age of Empires 4 is Relic’s “biggest and most ambitious title yet,” and is set to launch this Fall on PC. A chunk of the Fan Preview event was also dedicated to AoE 2:DE and AoE 3:DE, both of which are set to receive new content that should keep us busy until the fourth game comes out.
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