《世紀帝國 IV：週年紀念版》（Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition）是一款由 World’s Edge、Relic Entertainment、Forgotten Empires 與 Climax Studios 共同開發的史詩級即時戰略（RTS）鉅作。此系列作自問世以來即被譽為戰略遊戲的巔峰之一，並榮獲多項國際大獎，包括 2021年The Game Awards「最佳模擬／策略遊戲」及PC Gamer 的「年度最佳策略遊戲」殊榮。《週年紀念版》於2021年10月28日首次登陸Steam，如今將於2025年11月4日登上PlayStation 5平台，象徵這款經典作品正式跨入主機世代，讓更多玩家能以全新方式體驗建構帝國、征服世界的樂趣。

以令人驚豔的4K畫質 呈現廣闊壯麗的戰場，置身於改變世界格局的歷史戰役之中，體驗從黑暗時代至文藝復興橫跨500年的文明演進。共有十大全球文明，包含英格蘭、中國、德里蘇丹國等，每一個文明都擁有獨特的軍事單位、科技與文化風格。隨著《週年紀念版》的推出，更加入全新文明──西非的馬利帝國與強大的鄂圖曼帝國。馬利人擅長採礦與黃金貿易，以經濟實力稱霸非洲；而鄂圖曼帝國則以訓練有素的軍隊與巨大的「重型火砲」聞名，這種武器足以摧毀任何試圖阻擋帝國榮光的敵人。

不僅在內容上全面進化，也開放模組編輯器（測試版）。可利用這個創作者工具自行設計戰役、製作地圖、調整資料數值，甚至創造全新的遊戲模式。《世紀帝國 IV》首次將玩家從單純的指揮者提升為「歷史的創造者」，讓每個人都能用自己的想像力重新定義歷史。

《週年紀念版》同時收錄所有擴充內容與DLC，包括「東方王朝」、「十字騎士與玫瑰騎士」及「蘇丹王的崛起」。在「東方王朝」中，將踏上全新篇章，體驗四個變體文明：金帳汗國、馬其頓王朝、戰國大名與圖格魯克王朝，每個勢力都有專屬單位與科技。這部擴充還引入創新的「奮戰模式」，這是一種Roguelite 式的單人挑戰，融合即時戰略與持續成長機制，每輪戰鬥的地圖、敵人與條件都隨機生成，讓策略思考與應變成為致勝關鍵。

「十字騎士與玫瑰騎士」則讓玩家化身為 聖殿騎士團或蘭卡斯特家族，在動作感十足的「歷史戰役」模式中重現蒙吉薩與陶頓等著名戰役。每個陣營都有獨特的單位組合與戰術機制，讓戰場充滿深度與戲劇性。而「蘇丹王的崛起」則將焦點放在中東地區，將扮演穆斯林領袖抵抗歐洲十字軍，體驗一場橫跨信仰與帝國的激烈衝突。此 DLC 亦新增日本人與拜占庭人兩個可遊玩文明，以及四個變體文明，進一步拓寬遊戲的戰略多樣性。

在 PlayStation 5 平台上，經過細緻調整，充分利用DualSense控制器的特色。光條會依遊戲進度改變顏色（例如達到升級時代或人口上限時），而觸覺回饋（Haptic Feedback）則能模擬戰鬥與建築時的震動感。開發團隊還設計兩項全新系統：村民優先系統（VPS）與場地選單系統（SMS）。VPS讓AI自動管理資源採集，能將更多心力放在軍事戰略與擴張上；SMS則能根據玩家的選取內容提供智慧建築建議，例如選擇一片莓叢時，遊戲會自動提示建造磨坊。這些創新設計讓主機玩家在操作上更加直覺，幾乎能以手柄達成滑鼠鍵盤的流暢度。

此外，PS5 版特別設計導入式劇情教學關卡「國王的崛起」，帶領新手在五個任務中逐步掌握基礎操作、資源管理與戰鬥策略，並為主線「諾曼戰役」奠定背景。這個教學模式兼具敘事與教學功能，既能幫助新玩家快速上手，也能成為重返戰場時複習策略的好地方。多人模式方面，支援PvP與PvE模式，最多可八人同場對戰或合作，並具備跨平台連線功能，讓 PC、Xbox與PS5玩家都能同場較勁。此外還包含觀戰模式、季節排名賽與完整的模組支援，能直接從主機端下載與安裝由社群創作的新地圖與自訂遊戲規則，延長遊戲壽命並激發更多創意。

自 2021 年推出以來，一直被譽為「現代最優秀的即時戰略作品之一」。在Steam上獲得「極度好評」的評價，評論家普遍讚賞其歷史真實性、平衡的文明設計以及新舊機制的完美融合。尤其是戰役敘事採用電影級旁白與實景重現，使玩家彷彿置身紀錄片般的歷史再現。玩家社群亦對其長期更新政策表示肯定，每一次大型版本都帶來全新文明與平衡改良，讓遊戲始終保持新鮮感與競技性。如今，《世紀帝國 IV：週年紀念版》正式登上PS5，意味著這個傳奇系列再次拓展疆土，迎接全新的主機玩家世代。從第一座村莊的建立到最後一場城堡圍攻，每一刻都是歷史的延續。這不僅是遊戲，更是一場文明的讚歌——屬於策略家、夢想家與帝國建造者的永恆盛典。

Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition – A Timeless RTS Reforged for a New Generation

The legendary Age of Empires series, long celebrated as one of the most iconic real-time strategy (RTS) franchises in gaming history, continues its legacy with Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition. This edition not only refines the grand historical gameplay fans love but also brings the experience to new audiences with the upcoming PlayStation 5 release on November 4, 2025. Developed collaboratively by World’s Edge, Relic Entertainment, Forgotten Empires, and Climax Studios, the game delivers a cinematic and strategic experience that spans centuries of human history in stunning 4K resolution.

A New Era of Strategy and Civilization

Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition invites players to relive the defining moments of global history. The game’s campaigns span over 500 years, taking players from the Dark Ages to the Renaissance through five epic campaigns and 43 unique missions. Whether it’s commanding the Mongol hordes under Genghis Khan, leading the English to victory with Joan of Arc, or uniting fractured realms under powerful empires, every decision shapes the outcome of history.

The Anniversary Edition enriches the original game with two new civilizations — the Malians and the Ottomans — alongside eight new maps and extensive quality-of-life updates. The Malians focus on trade and gold-based economies, building one of history’s wealthiest empires. The Ottomans, on the other hand, wield unmatched military prowess with their legendary Great Bombards, the largest gunpowder siege weapons of their time.

Expanding Creativity: Modding and Custom Content

For creative strategists, the Mod Editor (Beta) offers powerful tools to craft original experiences. Players can design custom maps, unique campaigns, and entirely new game modes. This feature celebrates the Age of Empires community’s long tradition of modding and creative expression, making the battlefield a living canvas of player imagination.

The Complete Experience – DLC and Expansions

The Anniversary Edition bundles together all major expansions, including:

• The Sultans Ascend – A dramatic single-player campaign that follows Muslim leaders resisting European Crusaders, featuring new civilizations like the Japanese and Byzantines.
• Knights of the Cross & Roses – A historical expansion where players command the Templar Order or House of Lancaster, each offering unique units and mechanics.
• Dynasties of the East – Adds four powerful civilizations, including the Golden Horde, Macedonian Empire, Warring States Daimyo, and Tughluq Dynasty, introducing fresh mechanics and a roguelike Fight Mode that redefines single-player strategy gameplay.

Adapting for PlayStation 5 – Strategy Reimagined for Console

Bringing Age of Empires IV to console was a bold undertaking. Traditionally designed for mouse and keyboard, the game has been rebuilt from the ground up to feel intuitive on the DualSense controller. Developers redesigned the interface and controls to preserve the strategic complexity of the RTS experience while ensuring accessibility for console players.

Key features include:

• Dynamic radial menus for fast unit and building commands.
• Smart automation systems that simplify economic and military management.
• The Villager Priority System (VPS) and Site Menu System (SMS) – advanced tools that streamline resource gathering and construction, letting players focus on large-scale strategy.
• Haptic feedback and adaptive lighting cues from the DualSense controller that respond dynamically to in-game events such as “Aging Up” or reaching population caps.

These innovations make the PS5 version not just a port, but a fully realized RTS experience tailored for console players — intuitive, responsive, and thrillingly strategic.

A Guided Beginning – “Rise of a King” Tutorial Campaign

To help new players transition smoothly into the complex world of Age of Empires IV, the PS5 edition introduces “Rise of a King”, a tutorial-driven mini-campaign set during the Norman conquest. Across five missions, players learn the fundamentals of base-building, resource management, and tactical warfare — all within a rich historical narrative leading to the Battle of Hastings.

Multiplayer and Crossplay – Building Empires Together

The game’s multiplayer modes (both PvP and PvE) allow up to eight players to join the same battlefield, whether in competitive ranked matches or cooperative skirmishes against AI opponents. Thanks to full crossplay support, PlayStation 5 players can join forces with friends on PC and Xbox, ensuring the global Age of Empires community remains united.

For those who prefer to watch and learn, Observer Mode offers a robust viewing experience, ideal for studying high-level strategies or spectating epic showdowns.

Moreover, players can now enjoy community mods directly on PS5, adding endless replayability through fan-made content, maps, and balance tweaks.

Critical Reception and Legacy

Since its original 2021 release on PC, Age of Empires IV has earned widespread acclaim. It won Best Sim/Strategy Game at The Game Awards 2021 and was named PC Gamer’s Best Strategy Game of the year. Critics praised its blend of authenticity, accessibility, and modern design, while players celebrated its faithful yet refreshed take on historical RTS gameplay.

As one of the best-selling strategy titles of the decade, Age of Empires IV continues to evolve through free updates, community-driven events, and expansions that breathe new life into its already vast world.

A Bright Future for the Empire

With the PlayStation 5 launch, Age of Empires IV marks a new chapter in its storied journey — welcoming a fresh generation of strategists. Whether commanding mighty empires, managing resources, or leading armies to glory, players can now shape history from the comfort of their couch.

The Anniversary Edition stands as both a tribute to Age of Empires’ rich heritage and a symbol of its bright, evolving future. It’s more than a game — it’s a celebration of strategy, creativity, and the enduring human drive to build, conquer, and inspire.