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If you're a fan of historical strategy games like me, I've got great news. Xbox Game Studios development studio World's Edge shared a roadmap for what players can expect across the Age of Empires franchise next year. Kicking off the most recent entry, Age of Mythology: Retold is getting a new Expansion Pass, which will be available for purchase starting on December 18.
This pass will include four new DLC (downloadable content) packs, with a Demeter pack adding a new major goddess to the Greek roster. The Ultimate Fan Pack adds new decorations and pantheon icons, while the Blood & Bones pack adds blood to combat.
Finally, the main setpiece for the Expansion Pass is the Obsidian Mirror, an expansion that brings in the highly-requested Aztecs as a new playable faction. Like the Immortal Pillars and Heavenly Spear expansions, this will also add a new campaign, which will be composed of 12 missions.
Age of Empires 2: Definitive Edition can't be stopped, with a new expansion slated to launch in February 2026. Titled The Last Chieftains, this DLC adds three more civilizations to the already massive game.
Age of Empires 4 is also set to grow more, with an expansion in Spring 2026 bringing a campaign focused on the Chinese. A second expansion will follow later in the year that adds two more civilizations, including the Vikings. Otherwise, Age of Empires: Mobile Edition is also coming to PC, for those who are interested.
All Age, all the time
I wrote earlier this year about how important Age of Empires is to me as a franchise, as it helped to determine my growth and even life path as a whole. It's awesome to see the series in a healthy place like this. It's actually at the point where I can't keep up with every single DLC that comes out across these three games, which is an amazing problem to have.
I'm definitely thrilled the Aztecs are coming to Age of Mythology (Immortal Pillars and Heavenly Spear were both great expansions), and it's a good call to have optional blood effects alongside them. Maybe something similar could be implemented in Age of Empires 4?
Regardless, I'll also be looking forward to the expansion for Age 4 that adds the Vikings. I had a blast playing the Knights of Cross and Rose DLC, so similarly experimental faction mechanics would be great to see.
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