Age of Empires IV: The Sultans Ascend

The main pros of the game

• New Civilizations: The expansion introduces two new civilizations, the Byzantines and Japanese, along with four variant civilizations, adding diversity and unique gameplay mechanics.
• Campaign Content: Some players found the new campaign engaging and appreciated the fresh perspective it offered on historical events, particularly from the Muslim viewpoint during the Crusades.
• Value for Money: Many users noted that the DLC offers a lot of content for its price, including new maps and gameplay features, making it a worthwhile investment for fans of the base game.
• Gameplay Mechanics: Several players enjoyed the new mechanics and strategies introduced by the additional civilizations and variant civilizations, which enhance both single-player and multiplayer experiences.
• Visuals and Environments: New biomes, such as Japanese Spring and Savanna, were praised for their aesthetic appeal.

The main cons of the game

• Weak Campaign: A significant number of reviews criticized the campaign for lacking the depth, historical documentaries, and engaging storytelling found in the base game. Many felt it was poorly designed and overly difficult.
• Difficulty Balance: Several players found the campaign missions to be excessively challenging, with some expressing frustration over the micromanagement required and the overwhelming enemy forces.
• Narration Issues: The narration style and tone were also criticized for being biased and lacking the charm of the original game's documentary-style storytelling.
• Limited Content: Users expressed disappointment over the limited number of campaign missions and the feeling that the expansion was a money grab due to the perceived lack of substantial content.

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

• Documentary-Style Videos: Many players missed the historical documentary videos that were a hallmark of the base game's campaigns, feeling that their absence diminished the educational and immersive aspects of the new campaign.
• More Campaigns: Users wished for additional campaigns rather than just one, as they felt the single campaign was insufficient for the price.
• Reconnect System: Some players highlighted the absence of a reconnect feature in multiplayer, which they felt should have been implemented to enhance the gaming experience.
• Balanced Difficulty: A call for better balancing of mission difficulty, as many found the challenges too steep, particularly for casual players.

Summary

• Overall, while "The Sultans Ascend" offers valuable new content and gameplay experiences, it has faced criticism for its campaign design and difficulty balance, leading to mixed reviews from the player community.

Summary generated on: October 30, 2025