Age of Empires 4 launches autumn 2021, includes Norman campaign Eurogamer.net If you click on a link and make a purchase we may receive a small commission. Read our editorial policy. Age of Empires 4 launches autumn 2021, includes Norman campaign Gameplay revealed. News by Wesley Yin-Poole Deputy Editorial Director Updated on 10 Apr 2021 23 comments Age of Empires 4 launches autumn 2021. It'll be available on PC via Steam and the Windows Store, and will be available day one on Xbox Game Pass for PC. The real-time strategy sequel includes a Norman campaign - one of four historic campaigns in the game at launch. Gameplay is in the video below (there's a naval combat tease at the end): Watch on YouTube There's a new presentation style for Age of Empire 4's campaigns that draws inspiration from gilded manuscripts of the time. The "golden soldiers" project historical events over present-day real-world locations and aim to provide a realistic sense of place in how events unfolded hundreds of years ago. Microsoft said it's all very BBC documentary. Here's the official blurb on the Norman campaign: "The Norman campaign will tell the story of Duke William of Normandy as he wrestles control of England from King Harold, starting at the Battle of Hastings, then later following his descendants Robert, William II, and Henry I as they continue to fight for what would become modern day England. All the classic medieval units were shown here in action, from knights on horseback engaging with pikemen across large fields of battle capped off with a great looking castle siege." Age of Empires 4 has four ages: Medieval, Feudal, Castle, and Imperial. Civilisations revealed include the English, the Chinese, the Mongols, and the Delhi Sultanate. Eight playable civilisations are planned for launch. There's a new stealth forest mechanic. This involves unique patches of forest that units can hide within to set up ambushes. Sight into and within these forest areas is severely limited, meaning armies could move right past each other and never see the other. You know your units are in stealth woods by the blue outline around them and their whispered responses. Watch on YouTube Meanwhile, Age of Empires 2: Definitive Edition gets the Dawn of the Dukes expansion this summer. This takes players to Eastern Europe with new campaigns. Later this year, Age of Empires 2: Definitive Edition gets co-op historical battles that feature handpicked campaign missions and historical battles to play with friends. And finally, on 13th April Age of Empires 3: Definitive Edition gets its first major update, the United States civilisation. This new civ features a new home city, nine new units, a new age-up mechanic, and more. The US civilisation is free for a limited time for those who complete a 50 State Challenge (players need to complete up to three challenges per day and unlock the civ on the completion of the last challenge). Alternatively, the US civilisation can also be bought as premium DLC. Another update for Age of Empires 3: Definitive Edition is planned for later this year, and includes African civilisations. Become a Eurogamer subscriber and get your first month for £1 Get your first month for £1 (normally £3.99) when you buy a Standard Eurogamer subscription. Enjoy ad-free browsing, merch discounts, our monthly letter from the editor, and show your support with a supporter-exclusive comment flair! Support us View supporter archive More News Google announces cloud gaming Chromebooks less than a fortnight after Stadia shutdown GeForce Now preinstalled. 4 Atari will hold RollerCoaster Tycoon rights for another decade Ups and downs. 7 Lady Dimitrescu will be a tad smaller in Resident Evil Village's Mercenaries DLC Level the playing field. 1 Overwatch 2 suffers another DDoS attack and character roster bugs Mei Mei. 13 Latest Articles Digital Foundry Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090: a new level in graphics performance The Digital Foundry video review - and how the new GPU champion delivers for 4K 120fps gaming. Feature Evercore Heroes wants to wind people up the right way "There's less rage at them, because they didn't end your fun." Google announces cloud gaming Chromebooks less than a fortnight after Stadia shutdown GeForce Now preinstalled. 4 Genshin Impact Path of Gleaming Jade dates, login event rewards Including other anniversary rewards and how to claim them. Supporters Only Premium only Off Topic: Take a minute to appreciate Cookin' with Coolio's incredible scallops recipe. What a great book. Premium only Off Topic: Reading City of Glass in comic form "Where exactly am I going?" Premium only Off Topic: Il Buco is a transporting film about a really big hole Underlands. Off-Topic Netflix handled Sandman brilliantly It was Dreamy. 9 Buy things with globes on them And other lovely Eurogamer merch in our official store! Explore our store