Age of Empires 4's success depends on gameplay, not graphics

Age of Empires IV Gameplay Reveal Source: Microsoft

We got our kickoff good glimpse of Historic period of Empires four at an Apr 10, 2022, Fan Preview result, and e'er since then there has been adequately consistent contend well-nigh whether or non the game looks, well, bad. I've been paying some attention to both sides of the argument — at that place seems to be just every bit many people who like the game's expect every bit who dislike the wait — but I don't think information technology'south ultimately going to play a role in whether or not the game is a success. Similar the rest of the Historic period series, it's going to be the gameplay that matters almost.

The argument nearly Historic period of Empires 4 graphics

Age of Empires 4 is getting hitting from both sides of the art argument. Some are saying that the gameplay that we've so far seen is more "cartoonish" than previous Age of Empires entries, with some bright colors and unit scaling appearing out of whack. But others are focusing more than on the fine attending to detail and the gorgeous procedural environments that brand upwards the backdrop for epic battles.

In an Age of Empires Fan Preview interview, Relic Entertainment Art Director Zach Schläppi had this to say about the accessibility factor and some of the art decisions we've seen so far from Age four:

Nosotros whip the camera from a battlefield dorsum to a hamlet, you lot want to exist able to speedily recognize your structures. We endeavor to make that as clear equally possible by having unique identification for the rooftops, the banners, logo of the buildings is the same as the logo on the UI HUD. All the units are very identifiable. We exaggerated the weapons, the helmets. The read is stylized for maximum readability from far photographic camera and near camera for the players.

It'southward true that the game is going for wide accessibility (no doubt with competition in listen), and information technology'south true that the game is meant to run on equally many systems as possible. You tin cheque out our collection of the all-time laptops for Age of Empires 4 to see the variety. Is that an alibi to not have a beautiful game? No. Is Historic period of Empires 4 ugly? Certainly not.

At that place's obviously a fine line betwixt accessible and impractical. I'thousand by and large neutral when it comes to the graphics argument, but that'southward likely because I've been focusing my attention on the bits of information we've received surrounding gameplay. And especially since the squad has already made changes to animations — the arrows no longer expect like halberds being tossed around — and will continue to tweak the look following fan feedback.

Age of Empires 4's gameplay is what truly matters

The argue ultimately rages on. Just a few hours ago (at the time of writing) the top post on the Historic period of Empires four subreddit is someone saying how great they recall the graphics look, with 50+ mixed responses. The debate is getting kind of old at this point, and many people are looking frontwards to the closed Beta which begins Aug. 5. It should give people a far better idea of what the game looks similar, and though content is under an NDA, I'chiliad sure at that place volition exist lively revival of arguments.

In the stop, it doesn't thing what you call back about Historic period of Empires iv's graphics. Non considering no ane cares; because it's the gameplay that actually matters. Many of you already know this and are waiting patiently to get your hands on one of the viii playable civilizations to see what the game is really all well-nigh.

The original Age of Empires 2 looks similar a grainy mess in 2022. Would I nevertheless play it if the remakes didn't exist? Absolutely.

My Age game of option is Historic period of Empires 2, released in 1999. It was about fourteen years before nosotros got the HD remake, and some other half-dozen before we got the gorgeous Age of Empires 2: Definitive Edition. Did I stick with the game for the last 20+ years because it looked astonishing? No. Would I still be playing it if the remakes didn't happen? Absolutely. It'south one of the most structurally sound RTS games around. It'due south the aforementioned when playing the original Diablo 2 in 2022. It'southward not the graphics that brand the game nifty; it'due south the gameplay loop. Only I do certainly welcome the Diablo 2: Resurrected remaster.

Of course, a new statement will spring upwards once people actually first playing Age of Empires 4. This time it will center around unit and map balancing, culture bonuses, and playstyles. And that's a practiced thing. An RTS looking pretty is just a bonus; if information technology doesn't take the right formula underneath its skin, information technology's bound to be a failure. Focus your constructive criticism on valid gameplay tweaks, and we'll hopefully see another classic RTS gear up upwards to concluding for decades. Just think of what this game is going to look like in 2041.

Epic historical battles

Age Of Empires 4

Age of Empires four

Coming Oct. 28, 2022

Age of Empires iv is a continuation of the legendary RTS series with a focus on historical accurateness, asymmetrical warfare, and deep strategy. Pre-guild today and go a free copy of Age of Empires 2: DE expansion "Dawn of the Dukes."

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