Age of Empires II: HD Edition - The African Kingdoms

New Civilizations and Historical Focus

The expansion introduces four entirely new playable civilizations: the Berbers, the Ethiopians, the Malians, and the Portuguese. Three of these factions originate from Africa. Each civilization possesses unique technological advantages and distinct unit bonuses, compelling players to adjust their standard RTS approaches to leverage these new faction strengths in skirmishes and multiplayer matches.

What New Campaigns Are Included?

Four new historical campaigns are integrated, one corresponding to each new civilization, allowing players to experience pivotal moments from their respective histories:

• Tariq ibn Ziyad (Berbers): Centers on the early 8th-century leader preparing for the invasion of Iberia.
• Sundjata (Malians): Details the struggle of the exiled prince Sundjata to overcome the Sosso King Sumanguru and establish the Mali Empire in West Africa.
• Francisco de Almeida (Portuguese): Follows the Portuguese efforts to transition from European conflicts to establishing a vast maritime empire reaching India.
• Yodit (Ethiopians): Chronicles the story of the exiled Princess Yodit and her rise to become a powerful queen seeking vengeance within the Aksumite region.

New Gameplay Features and Modes

In addition to the new factions and narratives, this content enriches the overall game experience with new mechanics and objectives. It introduces new maps tailored to complement the characteristics of the new civilizations. Furthermore, two distinct new game modes are added to vary standard play: Capture the Relic and Treaty mode. These modes offer alternative pacing and victory conditions for both competitive and casual matches. The expansion also includes numerous balance and gameplay adjustments applied across the existing roster of civilizations.

Does This Expansion Add Standalone Content?

No. This content is strictly an expansion and requires ownership of the parent title, Age of Empires II: HD Edition, to access the new civilizations, campaigns, and modes. It is designed to integrate seamlessly into the existing game structure.

What is the Scope of This Content Addition?

This release represents a significant addition to the HD Edition. It delivers substantial replayability by adding four complete civilizations, four multi-mission historical campaigns, and new overarching game modes, maintaining the quality and depth expected from major content releases for the established RTS engine.