Medieval II: Total War Kingdoms Steam (Digital Download)

“Medieval II: Total War Kingdoms” is an expansive expansion to the critically acclaimed “Medieval II: Total War,” developed by Creative Assembly and released in 2007. This add-on significantly enhances the original game by adding new maps, factions, and campaigns, each offering a unique narrative and strategic challenges. Kingdoms takes players on a grand tour of the medieval world, from the northern reaches of Europe to the deserts of the Middle East, providing a rich and varied experience that deepens the historical gameplay of the Total War series.

Expanded Campaigns

“Medieval II: Total War Kingdoms” features four new campaigns, each focusing on a different geographical and historical area:

1. The Britannia Campaign: Set on the British Isles, this campaign features the struggle between England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland for dominance. It also introduces the Norse invaders as a playable faction, adding a layer of complexity and historical intrigue.
2. The Crusades Campaign: This campaign centers on the conflict between the Crusader states and the Muslim powers in the Near East. Players can lead the Kingdom of Jerusalem, the Principality of Antioch, the Byzantines, the Egyptians, or the Turks, each with specific missions and military goals.
3. The Teutonic Campaign: Focused on the Baltic region, this campaign involves the Teutonic Order’s attempts to Christianize the pagan Lithuanians, while also contending with the powerful Kingdoms of Poland and Denmark and the Holy Roman Empire.
4. The Americas Campaign: This allows players to engage with the early period of European exploration and conquest of the New World, featuring Native American civilizations like the Aztecs and the Mayans, along with the invading Spanish forces.

Gameplay and Features

In addition to the new campaigns, “Medieval II: Total War Kingdoms” introduces over 150 new units, enhancing the tactical options available to players. This includes unique units that reflect the historical and cultural context of the new campaigns, such as the Dismounted English Knights, the Apachean Scouts, and the Armenian Archers.

The expansion also improves the AI, offering a more challenging and realistic gameplay experience. Players will find that diplomatic and military strategies must be more nuanced, as the AI is better at forming realistic responses and long-term strategies.

Modding and Community

“Medieval II: Total War Kingdoms” is highly regarded in the Total War community for its moddability. The expansion has served as a base for numerous mods, some of which transform the game into entirely new historical, fantasy, or fictional settings, significantly extending the game’s lifespan and replayability.

Conclusion

“Medieval II: Total War Kingdoms” is a substantial and worthy expansion to “Medieval II: Total War,” offering a wealth of new content that enriches the original game. With its focus on diverse historical periods and regions, along with the introduction of new units and improved AI, Kingdoms provides a deeply immersive and challenging experience for fans of historical strategy games. It’s a testament to the enduring legacy of the Total War series in providing detailed and engaging historical simulations.