Info about Age of Empires II: DE - The Three Kingdoms :

Official game description:
Dive into the epic Romance of the Three Kingdoms with the latest expansion for Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition, where history and legend collide in a battle for supremacy! Battle your way across China with three new campaigns, commanding the forces of Shu, Wei, and Wu, each with their unique units, technologies, and heroes with devastating abilities. Additionally, explore medieval history on the fringes of China with two new civilizations: the Jurchens and Khitans!
5 New Civilizations
Shu - Take the reins of the Kingdom of Shu and fulfil Liu Bei’s dream of restoring the Han dynasty. The Shu unique units are the White Feather Guard, an infantryman that slows down units it attacks, and the War Chariot, a vehicle that fires barrages of bolts from a large repeating crossbow.
Wei - Step into the shoes of Cao Cao and dominate China with massive cavalry armies and nefarious schemes. The Wei unique units are the Tiger Cavalry, a horseman that levels up as it kills units, and the Xianbei Raider, a cavalry archer that fires storms of arrows into the enemy ranks.
Wu - Lead the Sun Clan to glory through infantry and naval prowess. The Wu unique units are the Fire Archer, a ranged soldier that fires incendiary arrows, and the Jian Swordsman, a heavy infantry unit whose shield offers immense protection – until it breaks.
Jurchens - Dominate the rugged terrain of northeast China with the skilled hunters, armored cavalry, and gunpowder weaponry of the Great Jin dynasty. The Jurchen unique units are the Iron Pagoda, a cavalryman that occasionally blocks melee attacks, and the Grenadier, a foot soldier who hurls deadly incendiary bombs at his enemies.
Khitans - Relive the glory of the Liao dynasty and Kara-Khitai, terrorizing your enemies with mobile hordes and diabolical weapons. The Khitan unique units are the Liao Dao, an infantryman whose lethal sword slashes cause lasting damage, and the Mounted Trebuchet, a powerful siege engine carried around by camels. Additionally, instead of farming, the Khitans gather food from Pastures, which can be tended by two Villagers instead of just one.
The Three Kingdoms also brings several new units and unit-lines for increased immersion in Chinese history:
\* Hei Guang Cavalry — heavily armored horsemen. Regular and Elite Hei Guang Cavalry replace Knights, Cavaliers, and Paladins for the Shu, Wei, and Wu.
\* Traction Trebuchets — deadly, mobile engines that provide the Shu, Wei, and Wu an excellent late-game long-ranged siege option on land.
\* Lou Chuans — literal floating fortresses that excel against other warships and buildings alike. Available to the Chinese, Jurchens, Shu, Wei, and Wu.
\* Fire Lancers — spear-wielding infantry who occasionally use an explosive ranged attack. Available to the Chinese, Jurchens, Khitans, Koreans, and Vietnamese.
\* Rocket Carts — this siege engine replaces Mangonels, and instead fires a volley of incendiary rockets at enemies. Available to the Chinese, Jurchens, Khitans, and Koreans.
\* Dragon Ships — the deadliest Fire Ship in the game, exclusive to the Chinese!
3 New Campaigns
Experience the Romance of the Three Kingdoms through a riveting narrative from the viewpoint of all three kingdoms and their founders!
Shu:
\* Liu Bei — In the midst of a bloody civil war, the sandal maker Liu Bei and his sworn brothers fight to restore the ailing Han dynasty. Can this honorable commoner save the empire, or will it fall into the hands of the ruthless warlord Cao Cao?
Wei
\* Cao Cao — The greatest warlord of his time, Cao Cao rises from a mere cavalry commander to the true power behind the throne of China. Will his ambitious schemes and tactical skill be enough to place his own dynasty on the throne of the Middle Kingdom?
Wu:
\* The Sun Clan — After their father is murdered, the sons of the Sun Clan fight for revenge while building themselves up to be the rulers of southern China. Will their struggle make them worthy of the Mandate of Heaven, or are they doomed to become footnotes in history?
As you venture through these campaigns, you will:
\* Relive fabled events like the Oath of the Peach Tree Garden, the Battle of Guandu, and the Battle of Red Cliffs.
\* Encounter legendary characters such as the notorious Lü Bu, the wise Zhuge Liang, and the exalted Guan Yu.
\* Unleash their deadly heroic abilities like Green Dragon Strike, Superhuman Aim, and Exploding Bolt.
\* Train your favorite heroes from the Three Kingdoms era in the new Hall of Heroes building.
\* Experience unprecedented gameplay and narrative value as you use an interactive system to make key decisions that shape each campaign.
\* Choose from two new difficulty levels: Easiest offers a leisurely cruise through the story, while Legendary could test the mettle of Cao Cao himself!
\* Marvel at an array of new flora, fauna, and other atmospheric visuals that will fully immerse you in China’s Three Kingdoms era.

Release date: May 6, 2025

Categories: Real-Time Strategy, Historical Strategy, Campaign Mode, Civilization Building, Multiplayer, Turn-based Tactical, Historical Simulation

Feature scans:
- MTX: score 55; verdict: Aggressive Monetization; summary: The analysis of user reviews for the DLC reveals several concerns related to monetization and perceived greed. Key issues include the perception of the DLC being a cash grab, significant game balance issues that may drive sales, and complaints about the high price. These factors contribute to a sense that the DLC may be prioritizing revenue generation over providing a fair and enjoyable gaming experience.
- Proton/Linux: score 30; verdict: Mixed Reception; summary: The expansion pack for Age of Empires 2 focusing on the dynasties of China has received mixed feedback. While players appreciate the immersive narrative and campaign design, there are notable criticisms regarding the implementation of heroic units and character representation. The heroic units are seen as unbalanced and out of place within the game mechanics, and some characters are felt to lack depth and heroic qualities.
- Steam Deck: score 90; verdict: Broken; summary: The analysis of user feedback reveals significant stability issues with the game, including frequent crashes and instability during specific missions. Additionally, there are concerns about the game's content, with some users finding it lacking or derivative. These issues collectively impact the user experience negatively.

- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $10.00 - $15.00
  - Reasoning: The evidence shows a mix of opinions on the pricing of the DLC. Some users find it overpriced and suggest waiting for a discount, indicating that the fair price might be lower than the current offering. Others believe it offers good value for money, especially when compared to other DLCs. The recurring theme of waiting for discounts and the mention of specific price points (e.g., half price) suggest that the community considers a fair price range to be lower than the current price. The positive comments about value for money typically mention the inclusion of new civilizations and campaigns, which are seen as justifying a higher price, but still within a reasonable range.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 15.0h
  - Story completion: 10.0h
  - Session length: 1.0h
  - Endgame: N/A
  - Reasoning: The evidence suggests that the playtime for the game is relatively short, with players mentioning that the campaigns feel too brief and lack depth. The decision system, which is a highlight, is limited due to the short length of the campaigns. Additionally, the campaigns are described as having only a few missions, which contributes to the overall shorter playtime.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: The game is fun immediately for players who enjoy single-player campaigns and team games with friends against AI, while multiplayer experiences may have friction due to balance issues and hero units.
  - Stance: Fun immediately
  - Anchor: N/A
  - Time to anchor: 0h 0m
  - Friction: Multiplayer balance issues; Inclusion of hero units in multiplayer
  - Unlock drivers: Enjoying historical content; Playing with friends
  - Conditions: Playing in team games with friends; Focusing on single-player campaigns
- Player Archetypes:
  - Campaign Enthusiast (sale)
    - Motivation: Enjoyment of single-player campaigns and new mechanics.
    - Playstyle: Single-player focused, enjoys narrative and creative aspects.
    - Experience: mixed
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: 战役爱好者; 战役党
    - Reference games: Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition
  - Veteran Historian (sale)
    - Motivation: Historical accuracy and cultural representation.
    - Playstyle: Focused on historical and cultural aspects, with a preference for content that aligns with their historical knowledge.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: 老玩家; 华人玩家
    - Reference games: Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition; Age of Empires I
  - Critical Purist (no buy)
    - Motivation: Maintaining historical accuracy and game balance.
    - Playstyle: Critical of new additions that deviate from historical accuracy or disrupt game balance.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: no buy
    - Labels: Enthusiastic fan
    - Reference games: Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition
  - Casual Multiplayer (sale)
    - Motivation: Social interaction and cooperative gameplay.
    - Playstyle: Enjoys team games with friends and AI, less focused on competitive balance.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: Casual player
    - Reference games: Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition; Age of Empires I: Definitive Edition


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- New civilizations appreciated (weight 0.26): The addition of new civilizations is well-received, with players finding them unique, fun, and interesting to play.
- Entertaining campaigns (weight 0.19): The campaigns are described as enjoyable, well-made, and engaging, providing high-quality and fun gameplay experiences.
- Fun and engaging gameplay (weight 0.18): The overall gameplay is described as fun, enjoyable, and well-done, with high playability and engaging storytelling.
- High-quality DLC (weight 0.12): The DLC is praised for its high quality, good value for money, and excellent content, making it one of the best DLCs.
- Impactful mission choices (weight 0.11): Players appreciate the decision-making system where choices impact later missions, adding depth and replayability.
- Hero abilities add depth (weight 0.09): The hero abilities are seen as interesting additions that add a nice twist and variety to the gameplay.
- Well-designed maps (weight 0.05): The maps are praised for their detailed design and aesthetic appeal, contributing to the overall enjoyment of the game.
- Dynamic and varied missions (weight 0.05): The missions are described as dynamic, varied, and fun, offering interesting and engaging gameplay experiences.

Common complaints:
- Campaigns are repetitive and uninspired (weight 0.22): Many players find the campaigns to be few, boring, and lacking in variety. They are criticized as being too similar to each other, short, and poorly executed, leading to a lack of interest and disappointment.
- Missing campaigns for Jurchens and Khitans (weight 0.18): Players note the absence of campaigns for the Jurchens and Khitans, which were expected to have their own unique storylines and voice acting. This lack of content is seen as a significant omission.
- Historical inaccuracies in the game (weight 0.17): The game is criticized for its historical inaccuracies, including misrepresentations of characters and events, an inconsistent timeline, and a lack of respect for historical accuracy. These issues detract from the game's credibility.
- Game is overpriced (weight 0.14): Many players feel that the game is not worth the price due to its lack of content and value. The DLC is considered overpriced and underdeveloped, leading to poor value for money.
- Hero units are unbalanced (weight 0.12): The addition of hero units is seen as problematic, with players noting that they are unbalanced, barely make a difference, and feel out of place. Some believe hero units should not be in the game at all.
- Chinese text issues and narrative inconsistencies (weight 0.09): There are specific issues noted in the Chinese text, including narrative inconsistencies and bugs in the storyline. Players have pointed out discrepancies and poorly executed story elements.
- Poor campaign design (weight 0.09): The campaign design is criticized as being bad, bugged, and poorly structured. Players find the campaigns to be mediocre and unsatisfactory in their design.
- Hero units in ranked multiplayer (weight 0.09): The inclusion of hero units in ranked multiplayer is seen as jarring and expensive. Players feel that hero units shift the game's identity and can be too strong, making them unsuitable for ranked matches.
- New civilizations not well integrated (weight 0.08): The new civilizations are criticized for not being well integrated into the game. Players note that they lack unique features and do not fit well within the game's setting.
- Bugs in the first campaign mission (weight 0.07): There are significant bugs in the first mission of the first campaign, making it difficult or impossible to complete. This issue is noted as a major problem affecting gameplay.
- Poor quality and implementation (weight 0.06): The game is criticized for being poorly made, with issues in customer support, translation, and implementation. Players note various aspects of the game that are of poor quality.
- Criticism of Khitans' design (weight 0.06): The Khitans are criticized for their design, which is seen as a bastardization of Jurchens and Tanguts. Players note issues with their healing technology and cultural representation.
- Hero abilities are overpowered (weight 0.06): Hero abilities are seen as overpowered and too strong, leading to balance issues. Players feel that these abilities are exaggerated and unbalanced.
- Civilizations lack historical context (weight 0.06): The new civilizations are seen as lacking clear historical context and feeling out of place in the standard game setting. Players note that they are not unique or well-integrated.
- Bugs in specific campaign missions (weight 0.05): There are bugs noted in specific campaign missions, including the first level of the Shu Kingdom campaign and the last level of the Cao Cao campaign. These bugs affect gameplay and completion.
- Lack of epic feel and memorable moments (weight 0.04): The game is criticized for lacking an epic feel and memorable moments. Players note that the story feels rushed and that heroes are lacking, contributing to a less engaging experience.
- Hero abilities deviate from core gameplay (weight 0.04): Heroes with special abilities are seen as deviating from the core gameplay. Players note that these abilities can feel like superpowers and do not align well with the game's mechanics.
- Low playability and poor balance (weight 0.04): The game is criticized for its low playability, short playtime, low difficulty, and poor gameplay balance. These issues contribute to a less enjoyable gaming experience.
- Confusing and messy storyline (weight 0.04): The storyline is criticized as being confusing, messy, and abstract. Players note that the narrative is poorly executed and difficult to follow.

Gameplay feedback:
- New Chinese civilizations added (weight 0.3): The game introduces several new civilizations, particularly focusing on Chinese-based kingdoms and civilizations such as Khitans, Jurchens, Shu, Wei, Wu, Liao, Jin, Dali, Western Xia, and Tubo. These civilizations bring unique elements and fresh mechanics to the gameplay.
- Unique units for civilizations (weight 0.17): Each civilization comes with its own set of unique units, adding to the diversity and strategic depth of the game. These unique units are not limited to castle units and include various specializations and bonuses.
- Campaign storytelling and structure (weight 0.16): The game features a rich single-player campaign with a strong emphasis on storytelling and narrative experience. The campaign structure includes varied mechanics and complex mission designs, affected by player choices.
- Three Kingdoms focus (weight 0.16): A significant portion of the game is dedicated to the Three Kingdoms era, including civilizations like Wu, Wei, and Shu. The campaign involves historical battles and the unification of China, providing a historically rich experience.
- Hero units with special abilities (weight 0.16): The game introduces hero units with special abilities, both active and passive. These heroes play a crucial role in both single-player campaigns and multiplayer matches, adding a new layer of strategy.
- Player choices affect outcomes (weight 0.12): The campaign gameplay is significantly affected by player choices, leading to different endings and consequences. This interactive system enhances the replayability and engagement of the game.
- Historical accuracy and representation (weight 0.1): The game aims to portray historical events and civilizations accurately, though there are mentions of historical inaccuracies. The representation of historical characters and storylines is a key focus.
- Gameplay mechanics and unit movement (weight 0.09): The game features traditional RTS gameplay with a focus on unit management and movement mechanics. However, there are some issues with unit pathfinding that players have noted.

Performance notes:
- Frequent crashes and black screens (weight 0.03): The game experiences crashes, often resulting in a black screen. This issue is prevalent and disrupts gameplay significantly.
- Numerous bugs and inconsistencies (weight 0.03): Players report frequent gameplay bugs and inconsistencies, affecting the overall experience and immersion.
- Optimization and performance issues (weight 0.03): The game has optimization issues, particularly on older computers, leading to performance problems.
- Campaign-specific bugs (weight 0.03): Bugs specific to the campaign mode are reported, including a notable crash during the final level of the Cao Wei campaign.
- Freezing during animations and loading (weight 0.03): The game freezes during skill animations and loading screens, causing interruptions in gameplay.

Recommendations:
- DLC highly recommended (weight 0.1): Many players strongly recommend purchasing the DLC for its value, unique civilizations, and enjoyable gameplay experience, especially for true fans.
- Recommended for specific player groups (weight 0.06): The game is recommended for fans of Dynasty Warriors, Age of Empires, Three Kingdoms, and beginners. It is also suggested for campaign players and multiplayer-focused players.
- Hero units for all civilizations (weight 0.06): Players suggest that every civilization should have a hero unit, each with unique abilities, to enhance gameplay diversity.
- Mixed recommendations on purchase (weight 0.06): While some players recommend the DLC for single-player and team games against AI, others advise against buying it or suggest it is better suited for Chronicles.
- Gameplay options and improvements (weight 0.05): Suggestions include adding options to disable hero units, ban certain civilizations in competitive play, and fix balance issues quickly.
- Wait for sales (weight 0.05): Several players advise waiting for sales or discounts before purchasing the DLC to get better value for money.
- Campaign and civilization improvements (weight 0.04): Players recommend providing campaigns for new civilizations, splitting certain factions, and offering proper nomadic architecture sets.
- Future content hopes (weight 0.03): Players express hope for more Chinese campaigns and additional content in future DLCs.

Other player notes:
- Outsource DLC development (weight 0.02): Players suggest that the development of downloadable content (DLC) should be outsourced.

Emotions:
- Disappointment (weight 0.38): Players are disappointed due to a variety of issues, including the lack of interesting and unique content, poor gameplay experience, and historical inaccuracies. The integration of Three Kingdoms civilizations and the lack of dedicated campaigns for certain factions have also contributed to this sentiment. Additionally, the high price and perceived lack of value in the DLC, along with repetitive and poorly executed campaigns, have further exacerbated the disappointment.
- Frustration (weight 0.2): Players are frustrated primarily due to persistent bugs and crashes that hinder game progress and mission completion. Historical inaccuracies, poor campaign design, and the inclusion of hero units in ranked matches have also contributed to this frustration. Additionally, balance issues with new civilizations and the perceived pay-to-win mechanics have further exacerbated the frustration.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.09): Players are satisfied with the enjoyable gameplay experience, strategic balance, and the addition of new civilizations. The campaigns and mission design are also well-received, providing a fair difficulty and great mission design. The overall quality of the DLC and the inclusion of unique civilizations have contributed to this satisfaction.
- Anger (weight 0.07): Players are angry due to the presence of bugs and crashes, along with the high price of the DLC. Historical inaccuracies and poor historical representation have also contributed to this anger. Additionally, the perceived laziness and lack of effort in the DLC content, as well as the imbalance caused by certain civilizations and hero units, have further exacerbated the anger.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.05): Players are enjoying the fun and unique campaigns, along with the addition of new civilizations. The gameplay experience and the historical elements are also well-received. The overall quality of the campaigns and the new content added to the game have contributed to this enjoyment.
- Excitement (weight 0.03): Players are excited about the new aspects and unique units added to the game. The enjoyable campaigns and characters, along with the anticipation for future DLCs, have contributed to this excitement. The innovative interface and fun gameplay of the new content have further enhanced the excitement.
- Disappointed (weight 0.02): Players are disappointed with the classification of certain factions as new civilizations and various aspects of the game and DLC. The design choices and the lack of Chinese campaign content have also contributed to this disappointment. Additionally, the awful story and tedious missions, along with the unrealistic bonuses and abilities, have further exacerbated the disappointment.
- Happy (weight 0.01): Players are happy with the fun gameplay and impactful choices in the campaigns. The good and interesting campaign content, along with the balanced heroes and solid DLC, have contributed to this happiness. The amazing gameplay and detailed story have further enhanced the overall positive experience.
- Frustrated (weight 0.01): Players are frustrated with the game's adaptation and hero unit design. The introduction of new multiplayer civilizations and trainable heroes with passive/active skills have also contributed to this frustration. The overall direction of the game development and the perceived lack of response to user feedback have further exacerbated the frustration.
- Positive (weight 0.01): Players have a positive outlook due to the fun and engaging campaigns, along with the addition of new civilizations. The interesting new factions and the enjoyable campaign content have contributed to this positivity. The overall quality of the new content and the engaging gameplay experience have further enhanced the positive sentiment.
- Appreciation (weight 0.01): Players appreciate the fresh content and constant updates provided by the development team. The creativity and innovation, along with the quality of the campaigns, have contributed to this appreciation. The engaging and fun nature of the campaigns, along with the impactful choices, have further enhanced the appreciation.
- Enthusiasm (weight 0.01): Players are enthusiastic about the addition of new civilizations and the enjoyable multiplayer experience. The detailed gameplay mechanics and faithful narrative have contributed to this enthusiasm. The positive aspects of the game's content and the overall quality of the new additions have further enhanced the enthusiasm.
- Excited (weight 0.01): Players are excited about the new mechanics and the potential impact of heroes in the top-level meta. The three interesting campaigns and the unique aspects of the new content have contributed to this excitement. The anticipation for future updates and the enjoyable gameplay experience have further enhanced the excitement.}