Hi Team,
I was excited to read the preview notes for the upcoming update. As a player with over 1,000 hours in the game—99% of which is spent in single-player skirmishes against the AI—I had started to feel a bit burnt out. However, the AI improvements mentioned in the upcoming update notes have genuinely re-engaged me. I prefer co-op and single-player modes over PvP, so I hope you continue to develop the game with these experiences in mind.
I really enjoyed the previous addition of “Points of Interest.” They remind me of the neutral territories from The Battle for Middle-earth series, and I am very happy to see two more added in this update.
Regarding AI, I do not support AI that relies on resource bonuses to be difficult. I exclusively play against the “Hardest” difficulty; however, the current AI lacks defensive strategy. It rarely constructs walls, fails to fortify choke points, and does not engage in satisfying defensive or siege scenarios. It would be much more engaging if the AI prioritized defensive building and territorial fortification, creating more dynamic and realistic matches.
I also have a few mechanical and customization suggestions:
-
Siege Tower Logic: Currently, the siege tower detaches from the wall immediately after unloading its first batch of units, forcing players to re-issue targeting commands. It would be a significant improvement if the tower remained locked onto the wall, allowing remaining units to continuously climb up without requiring constant re-targeting.
-
Auto-Attack Priorities: Implementing a priority system for units would greatly improve combat. It would be beneficial if units prioritized high-value targets, such as enemy villagers and military units, instead of wasting attacks on low-value structures like lumber or mining camps.
-
Customization: I would love to see more player colors. I believe adding Brown, Silver-Grey, and Black would be a fantastic addition that fits the game’s palette very well.
-
Delhi Sultanate Springald Elephants: The attack animation feels a bit static. Adding a recoil effect—similar to the standard Springald—would make their attacks feel much more impactful and visible.
Thank you for your continued dedication to improving Age of Empires IV.
