Age of Empires 4's next chapter tests your will to survive as the "ruthless" Jin Dynasty arrive

The next chapter of Age of Empires 4 is about to begin, and this time we’re heading to Imperial China as the “fast and ruthless” forces of the Jin Dynasty arrive on the battlefield. The newest addition to the roster don’t actually start in your hands; they’re the antagonistic threat at the center of its new story campaign. Once you’ve witnessed the terror of their might first-hand, you’ll be able to take charge of them for yourself and lead them into action.

This new Age of Empires 4 DLC follows a “legendary struggle to save a collapsing empire and its people,” played out across a new eight-mission campaign. As the eponymous Yue Fei, you’re leading the Song Dynasty in its fight against the invading Jin Dynasty. It’s a brutal introduction to the new faction, who will hold nothing back. When the heartland of northern China falls, will you have what it takes to rally your broken men into a last stand against “a seemingly unstoppable enemy?”

I love this method of bringing a new civilization into the longstanding strategy game. When you’re in charge of the fresh faces from the start, it can often feel like they’re just warming up as you get used to what they’re capable of. Here you get to see that vicious efficiency up close, making it all the more satisfying when you’re able to take the hotseat and employ those tactics to your own ends.

The Jin Dynasty specialize in cavalry and sieges, using their Horse Grasslands to boost military production and churn out a relentless tide of warriors on horseback. Their Iron Pagoda elite cavalry are durable and capable of carving through huge swathes of the opposing forces in quick fashion, while the Mohe Tribesman replaces the standard mounted archers, trading out damage for more mobility.

They’re quick to spread across the map, utilizing Mounted Villagers to move and gather more efficiently, or employing Emissaries capable of capturing neutral settlements and establishing Tributaries. From here, you can quickly set up fresh borders, defend your new front line using Meng’an Mouke Keeps, and double down on your economic powerhousing with Reindeer Traders.

As the late game approaches, the Jin Dynasty utilizes gunpowder to great effect, ensuring they don’t lose steam. Instead, their sieges get even more terrifying. Mounted Grenadiers bring an explosive twist to their heavy cavalry offering, while their Eruptors are close-range units that carry a “primitive burst hand cannon,” capable of devastating scatter-shot attacks.

Yue Fei’s Legacy also introduces two new biomes to AoE 4 – Madagascar and Yellow River – and four more maps. Developer World’s Edge promises “windswept grasslands, lush river valleys, and freezing desert plateaus that shape every decision – where you build, where you raid, and where you make your last stand.”

The Age of Empires 4 Yue Fei’s Legacy DLC launches on Thursday May 7, 2026. It’s priced at $14.99 / £12.49, but there’s a 15% pre-purchase discount, meaning you’ll pay just $12.74 / £10.62 if you buy it before it releases. Head here to take a look for yourself.

I love a good struggle for survival in my RTS games, and the idea of then being able to turn the tables and take charge of the oppressive might of the Jin Dynasty’s forces is similarly appealing. “On the battlefield, you may turn the tide,” World’s Edge teases, “but in the imperial court, betrayal may prove deadlier than any enemy.”