Age of Empires IV: Knights of Cross and Rose

The main pros of the game

• Unique Civilizations: The Knights Templar and House of Lancaster offer distinct gameplay mechanics and strategies, adding variety to the game.
• Fun Gameplay: Players enjoy the new mechanics and the challenge posed by the new civilizations, particularly the Templars, which are seen as a strong addition to the game.
• Responsive Developers: The development team has been praised for quickly addressing balance issues within days of the DLC's release.
• New Maps: The addition of 10 new maps, including those with "Points of Interest," enhances gameplay dynamics and encourages strategic exploration.

The main cons of the game

• Limited Content: Many players feel that the DLC lacks sufficient content compared to previous expansions, particularly the absence of a new campaign. The overall offering is seen as less substantial for the same price as prior DLCs.
• Price Concerns: The price point of $15 is viewed as too high for the amount of content provided, especially when comparing it to the previous DLC, "Sultans Ascend," which offered more civilizations and a campaign.
• Balance Issues: Some players have reported that the House of Lancaster is overpowered, disrupting game balance, although this has been addressed in patches.

The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users

• Absence of a Campaign: Many users express disappointment over the lack of a narrative-driven campaign, which was a highlight of previous DLCs. They feel that this could have provided a richer experience, especially given the historical context of the new civilizations.
• Mastery Challenges and Unique Voice Lines: Players expected new mastery challenges and unique voice lines for the new civilizations, which are currently lacking, leading to a sense of rushed development.
• Depth in Single-Player Content: The four historical battle missions are perceived as shallow and not as engaging as a full campaign would be, leading to a feeling of missed opportunity for storytelling.

Summary

• Overall, while the DLC introduces interesting new gameplay elements and mechanics, the reception is mixed due to its perceived lack of content and higher price compared to previous expansions.

Summary generated on: October 29, 2025