Age of Empires 4 is the latest entry in the legendary Age of Empires franchise. Part of one of the most popular RTS series ever made, Age of Empires 4, released on Oct. 28, 2021, to critical acclaim. But now, just over five months later, the real test begins as Age of Empire 4 unveils its Season one of Ranked Play, seasonal events, and more.
The update, named Festival of Ages, adds a ranked ladder for 1v1 competition, which has been one of the most popular components of competitive play in past versions. And if multiplayer isn't your thing, there's a host of new in-game challenges which will unlock rewards.
Additionally, the update sees the return of one of Age of Empires' most popular features: Editing tools. The new powerful creator tools include the Age of Empire IV Content Editor (Beta), meaning aspiring modders will be able to create whatever their heart's desire.
Beyond this, there's a new map type: MegaRandom, Advanced Combat Art of War challenges, and a host of quality of life changes and balance alterations.
Overall this huge update to the game has breathed life into the game as it was set to reach its first half-year past release. The inclusion of ranked especially is likely to spark new interest in this solid RTS.
For more Age of Empires IV guides and info, check out How to pause in Age of Empires IV on Pro Game Guides.
Michael lives in the UK, but wishes he lived in Eorzea. A life-long gamer, Four years ago, he ditched a "real" job to write about video games for a living, and hasn't looked back. When not guiding players how to get the latest mounts, crafting recipes, and in-game goodies, he spends his time nurturing an unhealthy addiction to MMOs and gacha games.