Age of Empires IV: Knights of Cross and Rose Expansion Announced!
The long-awaited new expansion for Age of Empires IV, “Knights of Cross and Rose,” has been officially revealed! While a release date hasn’t been announced yet, this DLC promises to bring exciting additions to both single-player and multiplayer experiences, including two new variant civilizations.
New Variant Civilizations: Templar Knights and the House of Lancaster
“Knights of Cross and Rose” will introduce the Templar Knights and the House of Lancaster as variant civilizations. Branching off from the French and English, respectively, they will follow a similar model to the Order of the Dragon, offering unique units and distinct gameplay styles. The House of Lancaster, for example, is described as a civilization focusing on advanced economics and technology, along with specialized ranged combat strategies.
Age of Empires IV saw a resurgence in popularity with the release of “The Sultans Ascend” expansion on November 14, 2023, bringing back many fans to the game. Xbox is likely hoping to replicate this success with “Knights of Cross and Rose.” However, it’s important to note that this DLC appears to be smaller in scope compared to “The Sultans Ascend,” which introduced two entirely new civilizations (Byzantines and Japanese) and four variant civilizations. “Knights of Cross and Rose” focuses on providing different versions of the existing French and English civilizations.
The Age of Empires IV team acknowledges this, stating that they have listened to player feedback and are treating these “variant civilizations” almost like full-fledged civilizations. This suggests a more unique and novel experience compared to previous variant civilizations like the Abbasid Dynasty, Jeanne d’Arc, the Order of the Dragon, and the Zhu Xi’s Legacy, achieved through new mechanics. While gameplay footage is not yet available, the DLC will also include:
10 New Maps and a Single-Player Historical Battles Mode
“Knights of Cross and Rose” will feature 10 new maps designed for both single-player and multiplayer matches. The developers aim to enhance player experiences with these new maps, creating geographies that demand diverse strategies. Additionally, a new single-player game mode called Historical Battles is being introduced.
Instead of traditional story campaigns, “Knights of Cross and Rose” adapts this system into Historical Battles. These independent missions focus on significant historical moments involving the Templar Knights and the House of Lancaster. Complete with cinematic cutscenes and voice-overs, this mode promises a different kind of challenge. For instance, players will have the opportunity to alter history by developing strategies to overcome the historical defeat of the Templar Knights during the Siege of Safed.
This mode offers a more exploration-focused gameplay experience compared to classic story campaign missions, providing players with many strategic options. The team aims to increase replayability in the single-player aspect with this approach and has included a medal system where players are scored and ranked based on their performance.
In summary:
* New Content: Two new variant civilizations (Templar Knights and the House of Lancaster), 10 new maps, and a new Historical Battles mode.
* Gameplay Focus: Enhanced strategy, exploration, and replayability.
* Target Audience: Age of Empires IV players seeking fresh challenges and historical scenarios.
More details about the release date and pricing for the “Knights of Cross and Rose” expansion are expected soon. We can also assume that it will include Turkish language support, similar to the base game and “The Sultans Ascend” expansion. What are your thoughts on the new variant civilizations and the Historical Battles mode?