Step into the immersive world of medieval grandeur, as the knights of old return to the battle-scarred lands of Age of Empires IV. The highly anticipated ‘Knights of Cross & Rose’ expansion has finally arrived, ushering in a new era of medieval mayhem and strategic mastery. This latest chapter in the storied franchise promises to transport players to a realm of epic conquests, feudal rivalries, and legendary heroes, as the storied histories of the Golden Horde, the Malians, and the Burgundians come alive in vivid detail. Get ready to chart your own course through the unforgiving landscape of the Middle Ages, as ‘Knights of Cross & Rose’ brings fresh factions, campaigns, and gameplay mechanics to the timeless world of Age of Empires IV.
Exploring the Knights of Cross and Rose Expansion
Navigate the untold pages of history with two all-new factions: the Bavarians and the Italians. Each brings their unique playstyle, architecture, and units to the battlefield, offering an unparalleled depth of gameplay. Dive into the intricate web of alliances, rivalries, and shifting allegiances as you uncover the rich history behind these factions.
Unleash the potent combination of the Bavarians’ fortified strongholds, capable of withstanding relentless assault, and the Italians’ economic prowess and naval superiority, as you command the battlefield with new units and innovative technologies. Explore key changes and improvements in the expansion below:
- Factions and Playstyle: Access two new factions – the Bavarians and Italians – each with distinct playstyles and characteristics.
- Discover new buildings and landmark structures that reflect the architectural styles of the Bavarians and Italians.
- Employ new units, including the Bavarian Carroccio and the Italian Marino, to transform the battlefield.
- Master innovative technologies that create new strategies and possibilities in combat, diplomacy, and economics.
| New Factions | Bavarians | Italians |
|---|---|---|
| Unique Playstyle | Fortified Strongholds | Economic Prowess and Naval Superiority |
| New Units | Carroccio | Marino |
New Factions to Dominate in Age of Empires IV
In the shadows of the Cross, two new factions emerge to challenge the course of history. The Huns and the Bulgars are now playable factions in Age of Empires IV, each with unique units, technologies, and playstyles that will test your mettle as a leader. The Huns are a highly mobile and aggressive faction, excelling at conquest and raids. Meanwhile, the Bulgars are skilled horsemen and skilled at sieges, making them a formidable force on the battlefield. With these new factions, you’ll need to adapt your strategies to dominate your enemies and secure victory.
| Faction | Unique Unit | Unique Technology | Playstyle |
| — | — | — | — |
| Huns | Tak’vian Archers | Nomadic Tradition | Highly mobile, aggressive, and effective at archery |
| Bulgar | Konniks | Opolchenie | Skilled horsemen, effective at siege warfare and defensive tactics |
Key Abilities and Units:
- Tak’vian Archers: The Hun’s unique unit excels at ranged damage and speed, capable of striking from unexpected angles.
- Konniks: The Bulgar’s unique unit is an elite heavy cavalry unit with increased health and damage.
- Access to Nomadic Tradition and Opolchenie technologies will grant these factions new capabilities and playstyles.
Fresh Maps and Scenarios for Endless Battles
Breath new life into your Age of Empires IV campaigns with freshly crafted maps, each one meticulously designed to offer unique strategic opportunities and challenges. Take to the battlefields of eight brand-new maps, featuring diverse environments, from the snow-capped mountains of the frozen tundra to the arid dunes of the scorching desert.
Four additional emergent gameplay scenarios will also test your leadership skills, presenting intricate problems to be solved and victories to be won. This includes a legendary battle in the historic strongholds of the Knights Templar, and campaigns of religious fervor, unyielding conquest, and mercantile intrigue. Among these new challenges are those depicted in the table below:
| Scenario Map | Key Objectives |
|---|---|
| Dawn of the Crusade | Secure key cities for your campaign; Protect your holy relic; Establish influence in the local politics |
| War for Jerusalem | Secure the great fortresses of Jerusalem; Foster alliances with the locals; Thwart any invading forces |
- Battle through 8 diverse map settings
- Navigate intricate politics in new emergent gameplay scenarios
- Construct a stable legacy
Unleashing the Power of the New Factions
The newest DLC brings two formidable factions to the battlefield, each with its unique strengths, abilities, and playstyles.
- The Holy Roman Empire boasts a diverse array of units, including the formidable Landsknecht, allowing players to employ a range of strategies in their quest for dominance.
- The Duchy of Burgundy, on the other hand, excels at defensive play, with its imposing fortifications and powerful units such as the Men-at-Arms, making it a force to be reckoned with on the battlefield.
| Faction | Unique Unit | Special Ability |
|---|---|---|
| The Holy Roman Empire | Landsknecht | Imperial Regiment – Boosts Landsknecht damage and health. |
| The Duchy of Burgundy | Men-at-Arms | Burgundian Discipline – Increases Men-at-Arms health and armor. |
Both factions offer a fresh and exciting experience, allowing players to explore new strategies and playstyles as they battle their way through the ages.
Defining Moments of Middle Ages in Knights of Cross and Rose
As the medieval landscape unfolds, the Knights of Cross & Rose expansion brings to life pivotal moments that shaped the destiny of Europe during the Middle Ages. The 13th century witnessed the Mongol Invasion, an event that left an indelible mark on the continent’s history. This expansion allows you to embody the valor of the times, as you lead your armies through the tumultuous events that forged the course of European history.
Experience the heights of chivalry and the depths of desperation, as you navigate the intricate web of alliances and rivalries that defined the medieval world. Key events in history come alive in the form of new features and game mechanics, such as the Mongol Invasion’s impact on the Transylvanian and Bulgarian empires. Discover the deciding factors behind these turning points that forever altered the European landscape.
| Key Moments | Historical Impact |
| The Crusades |
|
| The Mongol Invasion |
|
| The Black Death |
|
Immersive Storytelling in Single Player Campaigns
Delve Deeper into the Knight’s Code
In the latest expansion, Knights of Cross & Rose, Relic Entertainment redefines the immersive storytelling experience in the single-player campaign. The expansion brings two new campaigns, eight new playable single-player stories, and four new multiplayer arcade maps. Within the 35+ Mission and 5 distinct story chapters, the narrative dawns with intriguing and unexpected heroes who will leave a lasting impact on those eager to embark on the epic journey.
Key Highlights of the Single Player Campaigns
- Participate in a captivating narrative of intricate rivalries and a desperate quest for power.
- Command six unique playable factions, with an exclusive additional set of each.
- Explore beautifully crafted procedurally generated maps.
| Story Chapter | Primary Factions | Main Characters |
|---|---|---|
| The Golden Eagle | German Empire & The Holy Roman Empire | Peter von Auen and Louis the Second |
| The Duke’s Triumph | English Kingdom & French Crown | Edward Longshanks & Philip IV |
Key Features of the Knights of Cross and Rose Update
Experience the New Era of Combat
- 8 new units, including the Hospitaller Knight and the Imperial Envoy, bringing new strategic possibilities to the battlefield
- 5 new skirmish maps, set in the scorching deserts of North Africa, the lush forests of Europe, and the snow-capped mountains of Eastern Europe
Build Your Legacy with New Buildings and Tools
| Building | Description |
|---|---|
| Command Centre | Upgrade your Military Academy, allowing you to train more units at once and upgrade your technology |
| Trebuchet | Purchase a Trebuchet and launch a powerful siege against enemy castles |
| Amphitheatre | Create a public spectacle, earning favor with the people and improving your Age progression |
Mastering Tactical Battles with Unique Civilizations
In the realm of medieval warfare, every civilization has its own unique strengths and weaknesses. The Knights of Cross & Rose expansion introduces two new factions to the battlefield: the Kingdom of England and the Duchy of Burgundy. Each of these factions comes with its own set of abilities and playstyles, allowing players to master the art of tactical warfare.
- Feudal Anarchy and Medieval Fortitude with the Duchy of Burgundy: Unleash the fury of the Burgundian crossbowmen, who excel at defending fortifications, while also leveraging the Duchy’s unique ability to accumulate gold more efficiently.
- Monumental Influence and Royal Discipline with the Kingdom of England: Take advantage of the English kingdom’s powerful longbowmen and exploit the influence of its monumental wonders to channel greater resources towards your war effort.
| Civilization | Unique Abilities |
| Duchy of Burgundy | Feudal Anarchy, Medieval Fortitude, & Crossbowman bonus |
| Kingdom of England | Monumental Influence, Royal Discipline, & Longbowman bonus |
While mastering the nuances of each civilization is key to success, staying adaptable and adjusting to the ever-changing tides of battle will prove crucial. Expand your strategic repertoire with the Knights of Cross & Rose expansion and claim victory in the medieval landscape of Age of Empires IV.
Impact on Gameplay Mechanics and Balance
New Units, Abilities, and Game Modes Shake Up the Battlefield
The Knights of Cross & Rose expansion brings fresh cavalry units, infantry, and siege engines to the forefront, shifting the balance of power in factions and campaigns. Players will need to reassess their strategies as they navigate the complexities of 6 new factions and master over 15 new units, each with its own strengths and weaknesses.
- Expanded Campaign Map: Discover an updated campaign map featuring new locations, quests, and characters that immerse players in the world of medieval warfare.
- Chivalric Archers: Deploy a new ranged unit with exceptional piercing damage, ideal for softening enemy formations before a full-on assault.
Mechanical Overhauls
Long-standing mechanics, such as the Food system, are undergoing significant revisions, affecting resource generation, buildings, and civic centers. In combination, the 3 new game modes will inspire new tactics and gameplay approaches.
| Game Mode | Objective |
|---|---|
| Tournament | Compete against opponents in 1v1 battles, alternating between different factions and units. |
| Gauntlet | Endure against increasingly difficult waves of enemies and conditions, with the option to activate power-ups for crucial advantages. |
| Serenity | Enjoy an atypical Age of Empires experience without conflicts and rival factions, allowing you to construct, unite and flourish peacefully. |
Strategic Innovations to Explore in Age of Empires IV Expansion
In the realm of medieval conquest, a plethora of strategic opportunities emerge with the introduction of new units, technologies, and gameplay mechanics. One of the most compelling innovations in the Age of Empires IV expansion is the inclusion of Chivalric Orders, elite knightly units with enhanced combat prowess and loyalty abilities. These Orders can be employed in a variety of battle scenarios to break through enemy lines and safeguard allies, bringing a new layer of depth to the game’s tactical landscape.
Players can further tailor their strategy with access to a range of innovative technologies and building upgrades. Some key advancements include:
- Crusader Fortifications, bolstering keep defenses with moats, palisades, and bastions
- Burgundian Wills, ensuring key units can bequeath their benefits to successors upon death
- , enabling players to dictate the flow of armies and commerce along major roads and rivers
| Chivalric Order | Special Ability |
|---|---|
| Templars | King’s Escort, increasing the health and damage output of nearby friendly units |
| Hospitallers | Conjury of Solace, healing-friendly units and granting temporary invulnerability to damaged allies |
These advancements and many more present an abundance of fresh strategic possibilities, allowing players to forge innovative pathways to victory in the Age of Empires IV expansion.
Knights of Cross and Rose Expansion Performance Review
In our in-depth review of the performance of the Knights of Cross and Rose expansion, one thing stands out: smooth gameplay. The developers have put significant effort into optimizing the expansion to run seamlessly across a range of hardware configurations, ensuring that players can enjoy the thrilling campaigns and multiplayer battles without experiencing any frustrating lags or stutters.
Here’s a glimpse into the notable performance improvements and features that made the expansion stand out:
- Balanced performance across different modes: Whether you’re playing through the dramatic single-player campaign, battling with friends in multiplayer, or testing your mettle against AI opponents, the expansion delivers seamless performance that enhances the overall gameplay experience.
- Optimized resource management: Improvements in resource collection, trading, and management help maintain a smooth and efficient gameplay pace.
- Stunning visuals with minor frame drops: Enjoy breathtaking landscapes and detailed unit models without the unwanted lag or freezing issues that can disrupt the gaming experience.
- Improved map loading times: Quicker loading times ensure that you can start exploring the vast, mystical campaign maps sooner.
To further illustrate these performance improvements, we can look at some numbers. Here’s a snapshot of the performance we’ve observed in the expansion while playing on different system configurations:
| System Configuration | Frame Rate (FPS) | Loading Time |
|---|---|---|
| Quad-Core CPU, 16 GB RAM, 4 GB GPU | 45 – 60 | 15 – 30 seconds |
| Hexa-Core CPU, 32 GB RAM, 8 GB GPU | 60 – 90 | 5 – 10 seconds |
| Octa-Core CPU, 64 GB RAM, 16 GB GPU | 90 – 120 | 1 – 3 seconds |
Unlocking the Full Potential of Your Favorite Age of Empires IV Factions
With the Knights of Cross & Rose expansion, you may already be aware of the capabilities of the eight core civilizations and two new factions, the Republic of Genoa and the Kingdom of Albania. However, to dominate the battlefield and overcome formidable foes, you must continue to explore different strategies that align with your chosen faction’s unique units, buildings, and technologies.
To bring out the full potential of your faction of choice, it’s crucial to develop strategies that exploit their advantages. Let’s explore some examples of civilizations that benefit from specialized approaches:
* The Holy Roman Empire, for example, focus on the construction of strong fortifications and rely on their Uhlans and Imperial Skirmishers for battle. Meanwhile, The Kingdom of England will employ defensive techniques and fortify crucial choke points using a combination of Yeomen and archer units.
* The Grand Duchy of Lithuania‘s strength lies in swift scouting and decisive offensives with units such as the Eastern Stradiot.
| Faction | Strength | Weakness |
|---|---|---|
| The Holy Roman Empire | Strength of fortifications | Slow resource gathering |
| The Kingdom of England | Strong yeomen and control of the high seas | Weak military and disorganization on land battles |
To Conclude
As the dust settles on the battlefields of medieval Europe, the Knights of Cross & Rose expansion has officially taken its place alongside the annals of Age of Empires IV history. The introduction of the Holy Roman Empire and theHouse of Burgundy has shaken the foundations of this beloved strategy title, plunging players into a world of intricate politics and unsparing warfare.
The armies have been assembled, the siege engines are poised, and the fate of empires hangs in the balance. Will you defend the realm or forge a new path? The choice is yours. With the Knights of Cross & Rose expansion now available, the Age of Empires IV experience has never been more immersive, engaging, and unpredictable.
Embark on your epic journey today, and unlock the hidden secrets of the medieval world. The winds of change are blowing – it’s time to set your sails and carve your own destiny in the untold chapters of history.
