I just bought this game and finished installing, there are some VERY cool new additions to an already excellent game (my favourite game from 2005, ahead of Phoenix Wright even, and I still like it better than anything out so far this year). There are new Great Warlord and Grear General units: various different features, similar to a Great Artist, Great engineer, etc...
VASSAL STATES:
Most interesting is the addition of vassal States: This is a VERY interesting feature, it is essentially one of my favourite pages taken out of the game Europa Universalis.
Essentially a vassal state is under the protection of the master state in return for their obedience, which includes the master state demanding that they turn over resources for use by the master state, even if it is their only source. If a vassal refuses, then a state of war emerges between the master and the vassal, the agreement, however, is still kept in place. If a third party enters war against them, then both the master and vassal will be in a state of war against the third party. The master state has to pay a higher maitenance cost due to being in charge of a greater number of cities under the vassal, which is the cost of being a master. Units from the master state can enter any space within the vassals land, and they will heal just as if they were in their own land.
How to become a vassal, it can be done peacefully, and after 10 turns the agreement can be cancelled, but only by the vassal and only during peacetime. The agreement cannot be broken during war unless the vassal loses more than half their land since the agreement was signed.
NEW CIVILIZATIONS:
Carthage under Hannibal, with Numidian Cavalry which replaces the Horse Archer.
Celts under Brennus, with the Gallic Warrior which replaces Swordsmen
Korea: Wang Kon and Hwacha replaces catapult
Ottomans: Mehmed II and Janissary replaces musketmen
Vikings: Whith Ragnar as their leader with the Berserker unit which replaces macemen and has a strength of 8, and +10% city attack, +50% melee attack, with amphibious warfare upgrade included. They have an Aggresive/Financial personality. Have fishing and hunting as starting technologies,
Zulu: Shaka, Impi replaces spearmen
New leaders include: Churchill, Ocatvian Augustus, Ramesses II, and Josef Stalin.
New units include Trebuchet and Trireme
Civilizations can also now build unique buildings. For example, the Vikings now have the Trading Post which replaces the lighthouse. The trading post offers a navigation +1 bonus to naval units constructed in that city, and water tiles produce +1 food.
New leader traits include Charismatic: +1 happiness in all cities, and +1 happiness from monument (new building) and Broadcast tower. Imperialistic: +100% Great General production, +50% faster settler production. Protective: free Drill +1 and City Garrison promotions for archers and gunpowder units. Double production speed for walls and castles.
There are also some new wonders and such included.
SCENARIOS
These also include multiplayer options
450 BC: Unification of China,
444 BC: The Peloponnesian war
336: Alexander the Great
300 BC: The Rise of Rome
800 AD: The Age of the Vikings
1206: Genghis Khan
Well, that's the beginning of it, there are a lot of other additions. The expansion is only 25 dollars from where I bought it; probably cheaper in other places.
VASSAL STATES:
Most interesting is the addition of vassal States: This is a VERY interesting feature, it is essentially one of my favourite pages taken out of the game Europa Universalis.
Essentially a vassal state is under the protection of the master state in return for their obedience, which includes the master state demanding that they turn over resources for use by the master state, even if it is their only source. If a vassal refuses, then a state of war emerges between the master and the vassal, the agreement, however, is still kept in place. If a third party enters war against them, then both the master and vassal will be in a state of war against the third party. The master state has to pay a higher maitenance cost due to being in charge of a greater number of cities under the vassal, which is the cost of being a master. Units from the master state can enter any space within the vassals land, and they will heal just as if they were in their own land.
How to become a vassal, it can be done peacefully, and after 10 turns the agreement can be cancelled, but only by the vassal and only during peacetime. The agreement cannot be broken during war unless the vassal loses more than half their land since the agreement was signed.
NEW CIVILIZATIONS:
Carthage under Hannibal, with Numidian Cavalry which replaces the Horse Archer.
Celts under Brennus, with the Gallic Warrior which replaces Swordsmen
Korea: Wang Kon and Hwacha replaces catapult
Ottomans: Mehmed II and Janissary replaces musketmen
Vikings: Whith Ragnar as their leader with the Berserker unit which replaces macemen and has a strength of 8, and +10% city attack, +50% melee attack, with amphibious warfare upgrade included. They have an Aggresive/Financial personality. Have fishing and hunting as starting technologies,
Zulu: Shaka, Impi replaces spearmen
New leaders include: Churchill, Ocatvian Augustus, Ramesses II, and Josef Stalin.
New units include Trebuchet and Trireme
Civilizations can also now build unique buildings. For example, the Vikings now have the Trading Post which replaces the lighthouse. The trading post offers a navigation +1 bonus to naval units constructed in that city, and water tiles produce +1 food.
New leader traits include Charismatic: +1 happiness in all cities, and +1 happiness from monument (new building) and Broadcast tower. Imperialistic: +100% Great General production, +50% faster settler production. Protective: free Drill +1 and City Garrison promotions for archers and gunpowder units. Double production speed for walls and castles.
There are also some new wonders and such included.
SCENARIOS
These also include multiplayer options
450 BC: Unification of China,
444 BC: The Peloponnesian war
336: Alexander the Great
300 BC: The Rise of Rome
800 AD: The Age of the Vikings
1206: Genghis Khan
Well, that's the beginning of it, there are a lot of other additions. The expansion is only 25 dollars from where I bought it; probably cheaper in other places.
-Insert Inspiring Quote-
At least, until I'm independently wealthy.