Summary
- Release Year: 2000
- Genres: Real Time Strategy (RTS), Strategy
- Platforms: Dreamcast, Mac, PC (Microsoft Windows)
- Developers: Ensemble Studios
- Publishers: Microsoft
Age of Empires II: The Conquerors: An Expansion of Epic Proportions
Released in 2000, Age of Empires II: The Conquerors is the first expansion pack for the award-winning real-time strategy game Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings. Developed by Ensemble Studios and published by Microsoft, The Conquerors adds a wealth of new content to the base game, including five new civilizations, four new campaigns, eleven new units, twenty-six new technologies, and various gameplay tweaks.
New Civilizations
The Conquerors introduces five new civilizations to the Age of Empires II roster:
- Aztecs: A Mesoamerican civilization with a focus on infantry and religious units. Their unique units include the Eagle Warrior, a powerful infantry unit with a bonus against cavalry, and the Monk, a religious unit that can convert enemy units and heal allied units.
- Mayans: Another Mesoamerican civilization with a focus on archery and defensive structures. Their unique units include the Plumed Archer, a powerful archer unit with a bonus against infantry, and the Stone Wall, a defensive structure that can be garrisoned with units and fires arrows at enemy units.
- Spanish: A European civilization with a focus on cavalry and gunpowder units. Their unique units include the Conquistador, a powerful cavalry unit with a bonus against infantry, and the Cannon Galleon, a naval unit that can fire explosive cannonballs.
- Koreans: An East Asian civilization with a focus on gunpowder units and turtle ships. Their unique units include the War Wagon, a gunpowder unit that can fire multiple arrows at once, and the Turtle Ship, a naval unit with a protective shell that makes it resistant to enemy fire.
- Huns: A nomadic civilization with a focus on cavalry and raiding. Their unique units include the Horse Archer, a powerful cavalry unit with a bonus against buildings, and the Trebuchet, a siege weapon that can launch large projectiles at enemy structures.
New Campaigns
The Conquerors also adds four new campaigns to the game, each focusing on a different one of the new civilizations:
- Attila the Hun: This campaign follows the rise of Attila the Hun and his conquest of Europe.
- El Cid: This campaign follows the life of El Cid, a Spanish nobleman who fought against the Moors.
- Montezuma: This campaign follows the rise of Montezuma II and the Aztec Empire.
- Joan of Arc: This campaign follows the life of Joan of Arc, a French peasant girl who led the French army to victory against the English during the Hundred Years’ War.
New Units and Technologies
In addition to the new civilizations and campaigns, The Conquerors also adds eleven new units and twenty-six new technologies to the game. These new units and technologies provide players with a wider range of strategic options and allow for more varied and dynamic gameplay.
Gameplay Tweaks
The Conquerors also makes a number of tweaks to the gameplay of Age of Empires II. These tweaks include:
- Population limit increased to 200: This allows players to build larger armies and wage more epic battles.
- New resource management system: Resources are now gathered more quickly and efficiently, making it easier to build up your economy and support a large army.
- Improved AI: The AI has been improved to provide a more challenging and rewarding experience for players.
- New map editor: The new map editor allows players to create their own custom maps, providing endless replayability.
Conclusion
Age of Empires II: The Conquerors is an essential expansion pack for any fan of Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings. It adds a wealth of new content to the game, including new civilizations, campaigns, units, technologies, and gameplay tweaks. Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or a new player, The Conquerors is sure to provide you with hours of enjoyment.
Additional Notes
- The Conquerors was originally released for the PC, but was later ported to the Mac OS and Dreamcast.
- The Conquerors was a critical and commercial success, selling over 2 million copies worldwide.
- The Conquerors is considered by many to be one of the best expansion packs ever released for a video game.
Review Score
9.5/10
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