Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition for PS5 launches May 6 alongside DLC ‘The Three Kingdoms’

Publisher Xbox Game Studios and developers Forgotten Empires, Tantalus Media, and Wicked Witch will release the PlayStation 5 version of Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition on May 6 alongside the new downloadable content expansion “The Three Kingdoms,” the companies announced (2).

Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition first launched for PC via Steam and Microsoft Store on November 14, 2019, followed by Xbox Series and Xbox One on January 31, 2023.

The PlayStation 5 version is available for pre-order now in the following editions:

• Standard Edition ($39.99)
  • The base game
  • Pre-order downloadable content “The Mountain Royals”
  • 24 bonus animated profile icons
• Premium Edition ($59.99)
  • The base game
  • Up to five days of early access
  • Downloadable content “The Three Kingdoms”
  • All previously released downloadable content, including “Chronicles: Battle for Greece,” “Return of Rome,” and more
  • 24 bonus animated profile icons

Here is an overview of the game, via its store listings:

Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition celebrates the 25th anniversary of one of the most popular strategy games ever, now with stunning 4K ultra high-definition graphics, a fully remastered soundtrack, and includes three expansions with the base game: “Lords of the West,” “Dynasties of India,” and “Dawn of the Dukes.” Frequent updates include additional content, new game modes, and enhanced features.

Explore all the original Campaigns alongside best-selling expansions like never before. With over 200 hours of gameplay and 1,000 years of human history, your definitive Age of Empires II experience awaits! Head online to challenge other players in your quest for world domination with more than 45 different Civilizations. Recent updates include Quick Play for easy social games, enhancements to the game user interface, and more!

Choose your path to greatness with an eye-catching and engaging remaster to one of the most beloved strategy games of all time.

And here is an overview of the new downloadable content “The Three Kindgoms,” via its Steam page:

About

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!

Five 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!

Three 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.