Expand Your Legacy. Explore the Unknown.

Step into a bold new chapter of Age of Empires IV with Dynasties of the East—an exciting new expansion introducing four variant civilizations with unique gameplay mechanics and a new singleplayer game mode that will redefine the way you play Age of Empires IV. Dynasties of the East brings with it 8 unique maps and 6 stunning biomes that will add to your experience in single-player and multiplayer matches.

 

Four Civilizations Inspired by History

Command the battlefield and employ new gameplay strategies with variant civilizations that bring with them unique units and technology inspired by well-known Eastern Dynasties.

• The Golden Horde (Mongols Variant) – Ditch nomadic complexity for a powerful centralized force led by a combat-hardened Khan and his elite guard. Build multiple Ovoos, amass large armies and make critical strategic decisions from the seat of the Khan, the Golden Tent. Gather your forces and prepare for a glorious charge into battle.

• The Macedonian Dynasty (Byzantines Variant) – Command a force of powerful and foreign-born warriors known as the Varangians and charge into battle as the Macedonian Dynasty. Ruled by Emperor Basil II at the height of its power, this variant civilization brings with it unique resources and technologies focused on rapid growth and conquest. Fortified by a rich economy, the Macedonian Dynasty produces and trades in Silver to strengthen their forces. 

• Sengoku Daimyo (Japanese Variant) – Rewrite your clan’s destiny in the fractured Sengoku era. Pledge allegiance to rival banners—Takeda, Oda, or Hojo—each offering distinct bonuses, units, and technologies. Customize your civilization’s progression by dedicating Daimyo Estates to fuel factional power and strategic depth.

• The Tughlaq Dynasty (Delhi Sultanate Variant) – Take charge of this large and long-reigning dynasty built through astute political rule. Appoint powerful governors who bring their own adept craft to the table with the brand-new Governorship system.  Varied in battlefield strategies, the Tughlaq Dynasty brings with it two new elephant units: strengthen your economy with the Worker Elephant and engage in a new way to siege with the Ballista Elephant.

Each civilization included in Dynasties of the East brings with them distinct strengths, strategies, and historical flavor—offering new ways to master the art of war.

Enter The Crucible –  A New Roguelite RTS Experience 

Introducing The Crucible, a bold new single-player mode that redefines what’s possible in an Age of Empires game. Built to encourage strategic exploration, The Crucible fuses classic RTS mechanics with shifting battle conditions, evolving enemies, and unpredictable twists that test your ability to adapt. You’ve conquered history. Now conquer the unknown. 

Each bout within The Crucible is a unique journey—featuring unpredictable challenges, escalating difficulty, and dynamic objectives that test your ability to create strategies on the fly.  With permanent meta progression and procedurally populated missions, The Crucible offers a fresh way to experience your favorite civilizations and a compelling new reason to return again and again. Whether you're chasing your next personal best or experimenting with different playstyles, this is Age of Empires IV like you've never played before. The Crucible is a challenge of endurance, strategy, and luck. Hold out against endless waves in dynamic missions that change every time you play. All roads lead to your Wonder, and the enemy is coming. 

 

Packed with a mixture of exciting changes to Age of Empires IV gameplay, The Crucible depends on: 

• Your Wonder is the key to victory. It must be protected at all costs. Earn medals by surviving as long as possible. Enemy attacks will escalate as the mission progresses. 

• Boons are powerful upgrades and abilities that you can select during a mission. You will periodically be offered a selection to choose from. Build a unique set of Boons to crush your enemies.  

• Every mission has two optional objectives that are chosen randomly. Objectives are revealed at the start of the mission. Complete them to earn powerful rewards. 

• Use Perk Points to unlock permanent upgrades between missions. The longer you survive, the more points you can earn. Take on greater challenges as your power grows.  

• Points of Interest are smaller optional challenges that are hidden around the map. Find them and defeat their guardians to claim their rewards. 

 

Discover New Sights 

Six new biomes breathe fresh life into singleplayer and multiplayer matches. From the dense overgrowth of the Tropical Rainforest and the autumnal beauty of the Temperate Fall to the mythic shores of the Greek Islands, and the volcanic mystery of the Black Sand Beach, each biome offers visual immersion and subtle tactical nuances that enhance your strategic planning. 

 

Conquer Eight New Maps 

These new maps offer something for everyone, ranging from competitive layouts built to foster challenges to more casual and novel experiences. Strategize and drive toward victory across maps like Craters, Nomadic Tarns, and Ridges –, or enjoy the unexpected in the forms of Cliffsanity, a map with multiple choke points and hidden treasures chest, and Michi, where enemies lie beyond a wall of forest. Prepare to seek out new challenges with Dynasties of the East—the battle for supremacy begins now.