The Lords of the West have arrived in the Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition, available now

A new year is just around the corner and there is no better way to celebrate than challenge your friends to battle against two new civilizations and test your skills and strategies in three new full-voice campaigns! The Lords of the West Extension is available now for Age of Empires II: Definitely Edition on the Microsoft Store and steam!

In addition to the 16 new achievements, here are some of the features to look forward to on the web Lords of the West Extension…

Burgundian civilization
A cavalry civilization that specializes in economic development. Take the opportunity to make economic improvements an age earlier than other civilizations, stable technology costs 50% less, and gunpowder units get 25% attack.

Sicilian civilization
An infantry civilization that specializes in city building and defensive skills to fuel their relentless drive for expansion. Build donjons for additional fortifications in your cities, use First Crusade technology to spawn batches of the unique Serjeant unit in all city centers, and use Scutage technology to raise your and your teammates’ combat chests with 15 gold for each military unit, that you have to replenish.

Edward Longshanks campaign
Edward I is widely considered to be one of the greatest rulers of England, mentioned in the same breath as Alfred the Great and Elizabeth I. Known as “Longshanks” for his size and intimidating stature, he was a man of respect when he transformed England from a ragged state to a prominent European power.

The Grand Dukes of the Western Campaign
The dukes of Burgundy are driven by ambition and greed. They lead extremely luxurious lives and have to keep expanding their domains to pay for them. Image and advertising mean everything to them. Philip the Bold got his nickname after the defeat in Poitiers and John the Fearless after a defeat in the Crusades, so these dukes know the importance of propaganda.

The Hautevilles campaign
Robert Guiscard came to Italy in 1047 AD with a band of thirty-five men. Within a century, his family in Hauteville included dukes in Italy, princes in the Middle East, and even the king of Sicily. Join this intrepid family of Norman adventurers and complete their improbable and compelling story.

Burgundy
Rise from a mere duchy to a wonder of Western Europe through economic power, cultural achievement and the use of advanced military technology and tactics.

The Dukes of Burgundy played an important role in the politics of medieval Western Europe. They led the transition from the Middle Ages to the early modern period and ushered in a golden age for the region known as the Northern Renaissance. At their height, these “Grand Dukes of the West” controlled large parts of what is now France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg. Carving out a new polity out of French, English, and holy Roman territories was a daunting task that came at a heavy cost: decades of war and bloodshed. However, the Burgundians knew that they were waging more than war to get what they wanted. Their diplomatic and marriage policies turned out to be even stronger than their swords.

Civilization bonuses

• Cavalry civilization
• Economic improvements are available an age earlier than in other civilizations
• Stable technologies cost -50%.
• Gunpowder units gain + 25% attack
• Cavalier upgrade available in Castle Age

Team bonus

• Relics produce both gold and food

Unique units

• Coustillier (Cavalry) – Burgundy cavalry unit that performs a powerful shock attack when attacking into battle. Strong against infantry and archers. Weak against camel riders and monks.
• Flemish militia (Infantry) – Burgundy unique infantry unit. Strong against cavalry. Weak against archers.

Unique technologies

• Burgundy vineyards – Convert all food to gold in a 2: 1 ratio. In addition to food, farmers are slowly producing gold.
• Flemish Revolution – Upgrades all existing villagers to the Flemish militia and enables the creation of a Flemish militia in the city centers.

Sicilian
Experience the diverse cultures and fighting spirit at the crossroads of the Mediterranean as you build one of the most coveted kingdoms in medieval Europe. Robert Guiscard came to Italy in 1047 AD with a band of thirty-five men. Within a century, his family in Hauteville included dukes in Italy, princes in the Middle East, and even the king of Sicily. Join this intrepid family of Norman adventurers and complete their improbable and compelling story, starting with the arrival of Robert Guiscard in Italy to the consolidation of the Hauteville lands by his nephew Roger II in the Kingdom of Sicily.

The Italo-Normans, as the conquerors and rulers in Norman Italy and Sicily are called today, were successful on the battlefield due to their fierce disposition, their strong military tradition, their pronounced affinity for tactics and the use of cunning and their rapid speed. In these, they most closely resembled their ancestors, the Vikings and Franks, but when they settled in Italy and Sicily, they adopted local cultural customs and government norms.

Civilization bonuses

• Infantry civilization
• Castles and city centers are built 100% faster
• Land military units absorb 50% of all incoming bonus damage
• Farm upgrades provide farms + 100% extra food before they need to be re-sown

Team bonus

• Transport ships +5 carrying capacity and +10 armor against anti-ship attacks

Unique unit

• Serjeant – A sturdy infantry unit that can also build Dungeons

Unique building

• Don Jon – Unique attachment for training Serjeants. Units can stay in the building for protection; Archers and villagers shoot additional projectiles when occupied.

Unique technologies

• First crusade – After research, everyone The city center (up to 5) spawns a unique group of 10 serjeants
• Scutage – According to research, each team member receives a one-time payment of 15 gold for each military unit they own

Lords of the West is now on the Microsoft Store and steamand Xbox Game Pass members can save 10% with their member discount.