Author: Mark G. McLaughlin, History Editor

Introduction

Montezuma gets his revenge on the evil Conquistadors, Attila liberates Europe from the imperialist Romans, the plucky Koreans rise up against their Samurai oppressors and those endearing Norsemen get all the credit for discovering the New World 500 years before the greedy Spaniards get there. With a focus like this, Age of Empires II: The Conquerors Expansion comes dangerously close to putting the PC (politically correct) in the PC (personal computer).

Thankfully, however, these revisionist scenarios are balanced by some good-old-fashioned conquering campaigns drawn from the classical, traditional and blessedly unapologetic school of European history. Before going off to discover the New World in the Viking campaign, for example, the player has to loot and sack England (the Anglo-Saxons keep their gold in their markets and town centers, the instructions for the campaign explain). The players can immerse themselves in the Norman Conquest (as William THE Conqueror), sweep through the Hundred Years War (as Henry V), save Western Civilization from the nasty unwashed Muslim hordes (as Charles Martel at Tours or as Don John of Austria at Lepanto) and, most colorful of all, ride to glory through Spain as Charlton Heston (a.k.a. El Cid), dead body strapped to the saddle and all.

Even with this schizophrenic historical balance, Age of Empires II: The Conquerors Expansion represents a step forward for the popular and prolific Age of Empires series. It is not a major step, and on its own may not attract those looking for a new game, but fans of the series will appreciate and enjoy what it has to offer.

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