Age of Empires II Definitive Edition may have only just launched, but Microsoft is looking to the future too. Age of Empires IV is under development by Relic Entertainment, the creator of the Dawn of War series and in its first gameplay trailer, we see some set up scenes that give us some great hints about the game's potential.
Improvements over previous entries in the series include patrollable walls and towers, more nuanced wall designs, a big overhaul to the graphics engine, and some exciting new units.
Of particular note, is that the game appears to be more focused on the time period(s) of Age of Empires II, than Age of Empires III, the latter of which enjoyed much support for gunpowder units. Classic buildings like Castle, Mills, Town Centers, and Houses are back, with some new additions, while map design appears to have been altered too. There are much more expansive open areas, mixtures of elevation which could have some intriguing effects on combat, and what looks like an improved support for greater numbers of individual units.
Details on Age of Empire IV remain thin on the ground at this time. Microsoft announced its development in 2017 and this is the first in-game trailer we've seen. This is pre-alpha footage, but it looks quite polished, so expect to see more of the game in 2020.
