New DLC Announced for Age of Empires 2

Age of Empires 2: Definitive Edition is gearing up to welcome a fresh expansion, The Three Kingdoms, adding to the excitement for its dedicated player base. This upcoming fifth DLC brings a wealth of new content, featuring five unique civilizations, six brand-new units, and three additional campaigns. Its focus is inspired by the legendary tales of 3rd-century China, promising a rich and immersive experience.

Slated for launch in May 2025, enthusiasts of Age of Empires 2: DE can now snag a pre-order at a nifty discount. Since its grand re-entry in 2019, this beloved remaster from Ensemble Studios has seen four prior expansions, with the latest addition being the expansive Chronicles: Battle for Greece, rolled out in November 2024.

Fast forward to the present, and Xbox Game Studios has just unveiled the next chapter: The Three Kingdoms. Drawing heavily from historical romance, this expansion sets the stage with five new civilizations including the illustrious Shu, Wei, Wu, as well as the formidable Jurchens and Khitans. Players can anticipate engaging in three new campaigns and uncovering a host of units ahead of its official release on May 6.

What’s in store for players with The Three Kingdoms? Here’s a sneak peek:

– Five intriguing civilizations to explore
– Six innovative units to master
– Three captivating campaigns to conquer

Amongst the fresh roster of units, the armored Hei Guang Cavalry and the long-range Traction Trebuchets stand out significantly. Moreover, commanding the seas are the Lou Chuans, also known as “floating fortresses,” paired with the newly introduced Dragon Ships. Land retakes prominence with the addition of Fire Lancers and Rocket Carts, formidable forces designed to turn the tide in strategic gameplay.

Diving deeper into the campaign mode, players will embark on epic journeys with Liu Bei, Cao Cao, and The Sun Clan. Each story arc focuses on a particular civilization, unraveling layers of intrigue, war, and complex dynamics of betrayal and alliances that have long been a hallmark of the Age of Empires 2 narrative style.

A special bonus for eager fans: Pre-orders are open and discounted by 15% on platforms like Steam and the Microsoft/Xbox Store. PlayStation aficionados can jump on board too, provided they opt for the $99.99 Premium Edition bundle of Age of Empires 2: DE for PS5, also set for a May 6 unveiling. And there’s more – an exciting major base game update is on the horizon before April ends, promising enhanced castle visuals, refined UI for the technology tree, balancing tweaks, new maps, and a beefed-up random map scripting support, among other enticing features. Prepare for an enriched Age of Empires experience!