Age of Empires 2: Battle for Greece and Lego Horizon Adventures both out now!
This past week we had not one but TWO videogames with links to Greek mythology released. The first one was a DLC for Age of Empires 2 Definitive Edition called Chronicles: Battle for Greece. And the second game was Lego Horizon Adventures.
Chronicles: Battle for Greece is an exciting new DLC for Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition that takes players deep into the history of ancient Greece. This expansion brings a fresh narrative experience focused on key events from the classical era, including epic battles and political struggles that shaped the ancient Greek world.
New Civilizations in Chronicles: Battle for Greece
The DLC introduces three new civilizations: Athenians, Spartans, and Achaemenids (Persians), each bringing unique units, technologies, and playstyles:
- Athenians focus on a versatile mix of land and naval combat, highlighting their historical prowess in sea battles like Salamis. They feature advanced naval units and technologies that give them an edge in maritime warfare.
- Spartans are heavily oriented towards infantry strength, emphasizing their renowned hoplite soldiers and aggressive tactics. Their unique units include elite warriors trained from a young age, making them powerful in land engagements.
- Achaemenids offer a broader strategic gameplay approach, reflecting the vast Persian Empire’s diversity. They have unique cavalry units and specialized technologies that enhance their mobility and resource management.
These civilizations are designed with distinct traits, making them suitable for different playstyles. However, due to their unique mechanics and historical focus, they are excluded from ranked multiplayer matches to maintain balance and provide a unique narrative experience instead.
Chronicles: Battle for Greece Campaign Overview
The highlight of Chronicles: Battle for Greece is its 21-scenario Grand Campaign, which spans a century of classical Greek history. Players can relive iconic battles such as the Battle of Marathon, Thermopylae, and Salamis. The campaign is richly narrated, featuring voice acting and animated cutscenes to bring historical figures like Themistocles, Artemisia, and Brasidas to life. This immersive storytelling aims to offer both a captivating historical experience and challenging gameplay.
The campaign is structured to guide players through significant events, starting from the Ionian Revolt against Persian rule, moving through the Greco-Persian Wars, and concluding with the end of the Peloponnesian War. This structure allows players to engage in various types of missions, from large-scale battles to tactical maneuvers, reflecting the diversity of warfare during this period.
New Gameplay Mechanics
The DLC introduces several new gameplay features that set it apart from previous expansions:
- Antiquity Mode: A special mode exclusive to the new civilizations, which replaces the standard Age of Empires II age progression. Players advance through the Archaic, Civic, Classical, and Imperial Ages, mirroring the development stages of ancient Greek and Persian societies.
- Government Policies: This new system allows players to enact various laws and policies that affect their civilization’s development. It provides a strategic layer where players can adapt their gameplay based on the needs of the moment, whether boosting military efficiency, enhancing economic output, or influencing naval dominance.
- Naval Warfare Enhancements: A significant focus of this expansion is on naval battles, an essential part of Greek warfare history. The DLC introduces six new types of military ships, including ramming vessels and catapult ships. Additionally, a new sea-based resource, Oysters, can be gathered, offering an alternative method of accumulating gold and encouraging players to control the seas more effectively.
Unit and Building Additions
The DLC adds a substantial number of new unit art and buildings, enhancing the diversity of strategies available:
- 55 land units include various infantry and cavalry types tailored to each new civilization’s strengths. For example, the Spartans have the elite Krypteia infantry, while the Athenians can field advanced naval units like the Trireme.
- 19 naval units bolster the variety of ships available, making naval engagements more dynamic and reflective of ancient Greek maritime warfare.
- 85 buildings bring an authentic look to the cities of ancient Greece and Persia, including structures like agoras, temples, and Persian gardens. These buildings often have unique attributes that affect gameplay, such as generating resources or providing defensive bonuses.
Impact of Chronicles: Battle for Greece on the Age of Empires Community
The Chronicles: Battle for Greece DLC was developed with significant input from the community, particularly through collaborations with the CaptureAge team, known for their deep engagement with Age of Empires II players. This partnership ensured that the expansion stays true to the historical roots and strategic complexity that fans of the game cherish.
While the new civilizations are not included in ranked play, they are available in custom multiplayer matches, offering players the opportunity to experiment with these new factions in a variety of non-competitive settings. This approach allows for creative freedom in designing unique gameplay experiences without impacting the established balance of ranked matches.
Chronicles: Battle for Greece is a rich addition to Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition, catering to both history enthusiasts and strategy game fans. Its detailed portrayal of ancient Greek history, combined with innovative gameplay features, offers a fresh and engaging experience. Whether you prefer the disciplined military tactics of Sparta, the naval supremacy of Athens, or the expansive strategies of the Achaemenid Empire, this DLC provides a deep, immersive dive into one of the most fascinating periods of human history. Visit their official website to learn more about the game.
Lego Horizon Adventures
Lego Horizon Adventures is the latest release in the Lego video game series, merging the open-world exploration of the Horizon Zero Dawn franchise with the playful and creative aesthetic of Lego. Developed in collaboration between Guerrilla Games, Studio Gobo, and the Lego Group, this game provides a fresh, family-friendly spin on the epic journey of Aloy and her companions through a world filled with mechanical beasts and ancient ruins. This game retells the story of the original Horizon game, Horizon Zero Dawn, which was driven by Greek mythology, from a Lego perspective.
The game stays true to the core elements of Horizon Zero Dawn by retaining its signature combat and exploration mechanics. However, these elements are presented in a more accessible and whimsical format that is characteristic of Lego games. Players can engage in combat against iconic machines like the Thunderjaw and Shell-Walker, which are reimagined as detailed Lego builds. The developers aimed to capture the essence of the original game’s challenging encounters while infusing a sense of humor and charm unique to the Lego universe. For instance, the defensive nature of the Shell-Walker is emphasized through its Lego brick construction, reflecting its cargo-protecting behavior in an exaggerated, fun way.
Gameplay and Features in Lego Horizon Adventures
Lego Horizon Adventures features a mix of single-player and cooperative gameplay, making it an excellent choice for families and friends. The drop-in co-op mode is designed to allow players of different skill levels to join and play together easily. This inclusivity is achieved through various difficulty settings, from a relaxed Story Mode to more challenging options for seasoned gamers. The game’s world is divided into several biomes, each offering unique environments and challenges. As players progress, they can unlock and customize different characters and outfits, adding a layer of personalization to the experience.
The customization feature extends beyond characters to include entire village areas. Players can modify and decorate Aloy’s village, Mother’s Heart, using elements from various Lego sets. This level of customization allows for creative expression, blending the Horizon-themed elements with classic Lego themes like space or cityscapes, providing a dynamic and personalized gaming environment.
Connection to Greek Mythology in the Horizon series
The world of Horizon is built around the concept of a post-apocalyptic future where advanced technology and primitive tribal societies coexist. In this world, which was destroyed by rogue AI, the survivors launched Project Zero Dawn in an attempt to survive. Project Zero Dawn was run by a central computer called Gaia (named after the Greek Titan goddess of the Earth), who had many sub-functions named after Greek gods. Each of these sub-functions played a major part in the game and story.
Go to our old blog post to learn more about the influence of Greek mythology on the Horizon series.
Visual and Creative Design
The developers have paid special attention to translating the visually striking world of Horizon into the Lego format. The natural landscapes, iconic machines, and even the old-world ruins have been recreated using Lego bricks, blending realism with the distinctive Lego aesthetic. This approach not only adds a playful charm but also allows fans of both the Lego and Horizon franchises to appreciate familiar scenes and characters in a new light. The result is a visually rich and engaging environment where players can explore, build, and engage in combat using various Lego-built weapons and gadgets.
The game also features numerous Easter eggs and nods to both the Horizon series and classic Lego themes, making it a treasure trove for fans. For instance, players might come across hidden Lego sets or references to iconic scenes from the original games, cleverly reinterpreted in Lego form. This playful adaptation adds an element of discovery and humor, enhancing the overall experience.
Lego Horizon Adventures: A game for all ages
Lego Horizon Adventures offers a unique blend of action, exploration, and creativity, making it a standout addition to the Lego game lineup. It manages to capture the essence of the Horizon series while providing a fresh, family-friendly experience. The game’s emphasis on customization, cooperative play, and the whimsical reimagining of the Horizon universe makes it appealing to both new players and long-time fans of the franchise.
By incorporating elements reminiscent of Greek mythology, the game taps into timeless themes of heroism, the fall of great civilizations, and the struggle against seemingly insurmountable odds. These mythological underpinnings add a deeper layer of storytelling, enriching the player’s experience as they journey through this Lego-fied world of Horizon.
Overall, Lego Horizon Adventures delivers a compelling mix of humor, adventure, and creative gameplay, solidifying its place as a must-play for fans of both the Horizon series and Lego games. Whether you’re battling Lego-constructed machines or customizing your own slice of the post-apocalyptic world, the game offers something for everyone, making it a delightful addition to the world of video gaming.
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