My thoughts on the Campaign

[SerBlackKnight]

Alright, so I'm going to compare AoE4 campaign to that of AoE3.

The thing they have done with all the game videos (both cutscenes and the historical ones) is really well made I think. And the actual campaign follows a narrative based on real history which is also very nice.
I was very much reminded of Medieval 2 Total War introduction at the start of the Normandy campaign. For this reason it started very good in my eyes.

The campaign seems not too difficult depending on how chill you want to play, the difficulty settings with story mode is the most relaxing thing you can do.

But even though I do like that campaign idea, I just feel something missing.
Now in AoE3, the campaign story was very appealing. Even though if I remember correctly it had to do with the fountain of youth, you just felt like a story was being told. A good story, which you wanted to find out more as you went down that path. This also included the "improving your home city" mechanic which made the campaign very interesting.

Even though the historical accuracy is nice in AoE4, it's more like reading a boring history book that tells no story. All the story is probably told in the videos, but you don't feel like connecting to the characters. Whereas the heroes made a big impact in AoE3.
It was still narrated, it was still straightforward but it felt like an actual game.
Whereas for some reason, even though I like this game, the campaign doesn't feel like an enjoyable game where you keep want to learn what happens next, but more likely that when you are bored you just play a single mission to advance the story, probably more due to the fact some people like completing the games they bought.

Does any of you feel the same? Liking the game but just lacking the feeling of the AoE 3 campaign? I'm not talking about graphics, UI, balance or any other stuff like that.
Just the feeling from playing (wanting to play) the campaign.

[Shadow Wizard Fluffy Gang]

I agree. I have played through two campaigns now and a bit of another. I enjoy the pacing and most of the missions can be completed quickly without feeling too rushed. But I suppose there's the inkling of an issue when I point out "completed quickly" as a positive factor. I think that the narration is fine, but it's just plain history and I'm not really involved or immersed. I was thinking while playing earlier that "This is alright, but it would be awesome to have an engaging story told here"

I just completed the Joan of Arc campaign in AoE2 not long ago and just now completed the 100 Years War campaign. I found the Joan of Arc story much more compelling, even if embellished/somewhat fiction.

TL;DR, it was fun, but missing that story and hero-centric element that really makes AoE