Age of Empires II Refuses to Die: “The Last Chieftains” Expansion Is Now Available
They just won’t let this game die, will they? And honestly, I’m not complaining. While Age of Empires IV sits there trying to be the modern sibling, Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition continues to be the golden child that pays the bills.
Today, Microsoft dropped The Last Chieftains DLC, and it’s finally giving South America the spotlight it deserves. We aren’t just getting a reskin here; we’re looking at three proper civilizations that actually play differently, plus campaigns that don’t feel like an afterthought. If you’ve been tired of the usual knight-rush meta, this might be the shake-up your ranked games need.
Key Takeaways: The Quick Answer
- Three New Civs: Play as the Mapuche, Muisca, and Tupi, each with unique anti-meta units.
- Campaign Content: Three fully voiced campaigns focusing on resistance against European colonizers.
- Price Check: Official retail is $19.99 / €19.99, but Game Pass members get a discount (it’s not free with the sub).
Three New Challengers Enter the Arena
The devs didn’t just throw darts at a map here. These civilizations feel designed to annoy the heck out of traditional cavalry civs.
The Mapuche are all about unconventional warfare. If you hate micro-managing, look away. Their Kona cavalry hits harder against injured units (brutal for cleanup), and the Bolas Rider is a nightmare that slows down enemy units. It’s basically a hard counter to hit-and-run tactics.
Then you have The Muisca, who dominate the Andes. They feel like an eco-boomer’s dream with a religious twist. Their Guecha Warrior heals nearby units when it dies—which sounds morbid but tactically insane for sustaining a front line.
Finally, The Tupi from modern-day Brazil. These guys are the swarm faction. Their Blackwood Archers train in pairs (hello, discount army), and the Ibirapema Warrior deals area damage. If you let a Tupi player mass an army, you’re going to have a bad time.
New Campaigns for the Solo Strategist
Multiplayer is sweating, but the single-player content is where the production value usually shows up. We’re getting three full campaigns, and thankfully, they aren’t just “go here, destroy that.”
- Lautaro (Mapuche): A revenge story against Spanish conquistador Pedro de Valdivia. You have to master Spanish tactics to beat them, which implies some fun tech-stealing mechanics.
- El Dorado (Muisca): Less about gold, more about politics. You play as Commander Pacanchique dealing with infighting while Europeans knock on the door.
- Arariboia (Tupi): A survival campaign where you have to secure Portuguese aid to reclaim your homeland.
Historically, we know how these conflicts ended, but in AoE II, you get to rewrite the script.
The Naval Overhaul headlines today's update for #AoEII: DE, along with the Inca overhaul, refreshed Pachacuti campaign, cross-network Voice Chat, new Profile Icons for each civ, and more.
— Age of Empires (@AgeOfEmpires) February 17, 2026
📜 Release notes: https://t.co/tBVn1RXk0d pic.twitter.com/jlUO6R7YAk
The Price of History: Is It Worth It?
Here is the part where I tell you to hold your wallet for a second. The official asking price is $19.99 / €19.99. For a DLC, that’s creeping up there, especially compared to earlier expansions.
Crucial Note: If you have Xbox Game Pass, this DLC is NOT free. You only get the base game. However, your subscription gives you a ~10-15% discount on the store.
If you strictly play ranked multiplayer, you might feel the “pay-to-compete” pressure if these new civs turn out to be overpowered (and let’s be real, new civs always launch a little hot). For casual campaign players, $20 for three campaigns is decent value, roughly $6 per story arc.
In Conclusion: A Necessary Shake-Up
The Last Chieftains proves that Age of Empires II isn’t just surviving; it’s still evolving. The new civs offer genuinely fresh mechanics rather than just stat tweaks, and the South American setting is a visual treat. It’s a solid pickup, but maybe wait for the first balance patch if you’re worried about power creep.
Which new Civilization Campaign will you try out first in The Last Chieftains?
A video game enthusiast ever since I first got my hands on a Game Boy. Over the years, I've played many different games across various genres, discovering hidden gems and niche titles along the way. I'm also passionate about technology, always up-to-date with the latest news and insight in the PC and Console market. Ready to share and bring you the latest news !
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