Age of Empires II: HD Edition - The African Kingdoms (2015)

The African Kingdoms is the second expansion to Age of Empires II HD: The Forgotten, and the third expansion for Age of Empires II. The thematic focus of the expansion is the continent of Africa, and 3 of the 4 featured civilizations are from this continent. One gameplay feature was planned, but never introduced; buildings would be affected by certain terrains they were built on. A second expansion pack for Age of Empires II HD, The African Kingdoms, was released on November 5, 2015, and it introduces four new civilizations: the Berbers, Ethiopians, Malians, and the Portuguese. It includes new maps, campaigns (Sundjata, Francisco de Almeida, Yodit, and Tariq ibn Ziyad), and units, new game modes including Capture the Relic and Treaty, and numerous balance and gameplay adjustments. One gameplay feature was planned, but never introduced; buildings would be affected by certain terrains they were built on.

Storyline

There are four new campaigns in The African Kingdoms, one for each of the new civilizations. Tariq ibn Ziyad (Berbers): In the early 8th century, Tariq ibn Ziyad prepares to lead an army of Berbers and Arabs across the sea to Iberia, enthralling his troops with promises of wealth and glory. Will their might be enough to defeat the fearsome infantry of the Visigoths and bring the banners of war to the powerful Merovingian kingdom lying beyond the Pyrenees? Their success–or failure–lies in your hands. Sundjata (Malians): The once great Ghana empire has fallen and West Africa is in turmoil. Sumanguru, King of the Sosso, is poised to forge a new empire. Said to possess a magical instrument that guarantees victory, he has led his Sosso warriors to conquer old Ghana and a small Mandinkan kingdom called Mali. Can Sundjata, the crippled prince of Mali, defy the odds, defeat Sumanguru, and become the most powerful ruler of West Africa? Francisco de Almeida (Portuguese): On the fringes of Europe, the Portuguese manage a meager and unsure existence, hardened by centuries of war against the Moors and rival Christian kingdoms. Now, daring explorers have returned from India and given Portugal hope of glories and wealth unachievable in the Old World. Can you lead a Portuguese armada to the East and forge an empire that spans three continents and two oceans? A new world awaits! Yodit (Ethiopians): The beautiful princess Yodit has a promising future at the Aksumite court. But when her jealous nephew accuses her of theft, Yodit is forced to flee her home country. Witness how exile shaped this fallen princess into a mighty queen. For centuries the story of Yodit’s vengeance would invoke fear in the hearts of all Ethiopians.