The unique mechanics of the Mongols are a perfect symbol of what makes AGE OF EMPIRES IV unique.

By Robert Zak

Mongol buildings will have a range of cultural influences, reflecting the diversity and expanse of the empire at its peak.

The Mongols were a fascinating civilisation, spreading in all directions from the barren plains of the Steppe in a dust cloud of horses, yurt encampments, and a whole lot of pillaging. Yes, the Mongols killed an unthinkable number of people, but they were also brutal pragmatists who would much rather their enemies capitulate so they could recruit their finest generals, thinkers and troops to their cause. And if you refuse to surrender? Well, don’t say they didn’t warn you…

This meant that by the late 13th century, with much of the world from China to Hungary under its control, the Mongol empire was incredibly diverse – religious freedom, a super-squad of international generals, and prestigious scientific institutions that attracted scholars from Persia, China, even Greece.

Beyond Genghis Khan’s marauding years, the Mongol empire became so vast and varied that it doesn’t easily fit the traditional Age of Empires mould of distinct civilisations with their clearly defined traits and tropes. I sat down to chat with Relic about the Mongols in Age of Empires IV. Unsurprisingly, they’re probably the most leftfield civ in the game, but they also encapsulate Relic’s philosophy to make the the most asymmetrical – and tactically deep – Age of Empires game to date.

There will be four campaigns in Age of Empires IV – English, French, Mongol, and Rus – divided into 35 missions. What’s interesting is that there is some historical overlap between them. The Mongol campaign, for instance, takes you deep into Europe where you eventually besiege Kiev, an important economic hub of eastern Europe. The chaos experienced by cities like Kiev and internal divisions among the Mongol lords eventually created an opening for the more northern city of Moscow to flourish, which segues neatly into the Rus campaign.

AGE OF ODDITIES

Age of Empires has had some strange detours over the years

AGE OF EMPIRES II:

AGE OF KINGS (PS2)

Sony’s obelisk isn’t something you immediately associate with Age of Empires. Get around the UI which occupies about 70% of the screen, and it’s a functional port of the game that you could play with a friend via the i-Link cable.

AGE OF EMPIRES:

AGE OF KINGS (NINTENDO DS)

The DS proved its worth as a strategy platform with Advance Wars, so Age of Empires wisely mimicked that formula, going turn-based and doing a great job of it. There were five civs with five campaigns, and even a multiplayer mode.

AGE OF

EMPIRES III (NOKIA N-GAGE)

Sadly, we were unable to contact anyone who owned an N-Gage to find out if this was any good. What we do know is that it was real-time, had online multiplayer, and a single campaign where you defended Malta against the Ottoman Empire.