Xbox's strategy king just got its new expansion, with two northern civilizations, four new Crucible missions you can now play with a friend, and two new biomes.
Age of Empires IV just got a lot colder and a lot more violent. Raiders of the North, the newest expansion for Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition, launched October 29 on Xbox and PC, per Xbox Wire and World’s Edge. It’s published by Xbox Game Studios and built by World’s Edge, Relic Entertainment, Forgotten Empires and Climax Studios, per the Xbox Store listing.
What you need to know
- What: a paid expansion for Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition.
- When: out now (October 29, 2026).
- Where: Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC through the Microsoft Store and Steam.
- Price: $19.99 on the Xbox Store and Steam.
- You need: the base game, Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition (sold separately).
- Online on console: the Xbox listing notes online multiplayer on console requires Game Pass Essential, Premium or Ultimate.
Age of Empires IV: Raiders of the North Is Out Now: Vikings, Scots and Co-op Crucible for $19.99The two new civilizations
The Vikings: “Wolves Upon the Sea”
- Fast melee infantry, early naval dominance and an economy built around the Longhouse.
- Sagas mark your accomplishments and grant lasting power, and Völur seers help guide your path.
- Berserkers are ready for the charge.
- The civ evolves over time: pagan traditions give way to emerging kingdoms, and the army adapts with knights and trained militias, per the Xbox Store listing.
The Scots: “Through Mist and Moor”
- An infantry focused, defensive civ with fortified defenses and a unique food economy built on Highland Cattle and communal Fishponds.
- Tower Houses up to grand castles.
- The Mustering Hall lets you shape your army between Highland and Lowland strengths.
- Ambush enemies from stealth forests, hold the line with the Gallowglass, and raid deep with Border Reivers.
The Crucible, reforged
- Four new Crucible missions exclusive to the expansion, with challenges like seaborne raiders and a civil war between Scottish clans.
- Play solo or in two-player co-op.
- New progression with unlockable Boons, civilization Talent Tracks and Boon Ascension, plus new Objectives, Perks and Mutators.
- Conqueror Mode gets 25 new weekly mutators.
Everything else
- Two new biomes: Scottish Heathland and Tundra Summer.
- New architecture, masteries, music, taunts and an evolving language for each new civ.
- Early Steam reaction: “Mostly Positive,” with 75% of 131 user reviews positive when we checked.
OnPoint’s take: Age of Empires is one of Xbox’s oldest franchises, and World’s Edge keeps feeding it. Vikings with Berserkers and Sagas is the kind of civ people have wanted forever, and co-op Crucible is a smart move because it gives you a reason to drag a friend in instead of just grinding ranked. $19.99 for two full civs, four missions and new biomes is fair. This is first-party Xbox support done right, on Xbox and PC at the same time.
Sources
- Xbox Wire: Raiders of the North for Age of Empires IV is Available Now (Oct 29, 2026)
- World’s Edge: Raiders of the North for Age of Empires IV is Available Now!
- Xbox Store: Age of Empires IV: Raiders of the North
- Steam: Age of Empires IV: Raiders of the North
- Xbox on X: Raiders of the North launch post
- Trailer: Age of Empires IV: Raiders of the North | Available Now
Image: Xbox Game Studios / World’s Edge / OnPoint 4 Gamers
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