Legacy in gaming is challenging to define. It can either provide a solid foundation for a game to thrive or set a bar so high that no future game can reach it. In this sense, legacy truly embodies the concept of a double-edged sword. Yet, despite this challenge, many games have built enduring legacies and succeeded, while others have stumbled. Among these legacies, perhaps the most intriguing is that of Age of Empires. When Age of Empires IV was released, its biggest competitor wasn’t a different title or series; it was its own predecessor, Age of Empires II, arguably the greatest RTS game of all time. After a rocky start, AOE IV has found its footing, with regular updates from the developers and a massive update plus DLC scheduled for release in 2025.