Tag: expansion

  • CDPR Teases Scale of The Witcher 3: Songs of the Past Expansion

    CDPR Teases Scale of The Witcher 3: Songs of the Past Expansion

    Key Takeaway

    – Songs of the Past is a large expansion for The Witcher 3, likely similar in scope to Cyberpunk 2077’s Phantom Liberty, with extensive new content and time added.
    – The expansion will include a visual modernization pass to update The Witcher 3’s visuals ahead of the release.
    – It’s expected to serve as a transitional bridge between The Witcher 3 and The Witcher 4, potentially shifting focus from Geralt to Ciri and passing the torch to the next era of the franchise.

    Expansion teased for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

    After months of rumors and leaks, an expansion for the now 11-year-old The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt was finally confirmed. Titled “Songs of the Past,” it will act as a bridge between the original game and the next iteration in the franchise, The Witcher 4. For those wondering how big this expansion is going to be, a CD Projekt Red (CDPR) senior has shared an older clip to give fans an idea.

    Clip used to hint at scale

    The clip in question was shared by Paweł Sasko, the Associate Game Director at CDPR, and is from the Phantom Liberty promos before it was released. Idris Elba is answering the internet’s questions about the Cyberpunk 2077 expansion, and corrects a commenter’s use of the word “DLC,” saying, “Just to be clear, it’s not a DLC, it’s an expansion. You know why? Because we do expansions, big, massive, monster!”

    Phantom Liberty precedent and expectations

    Phantom Liberty was a huge story arc for Cyberpunk 2077 with over 20 hours of content, several new missions, a whole new area that was previously restricted, and a lot more. Thus, Songs of the Past can be expected to be of a similar scale, adding a lot of game time to The Witcher 3. CDPR is also going to push a visual update to modernize the decade-old game, ahead of the expansion’s release.

    Story direction and potential focus

    While not a lot is known about the storyline, it is strongly believed that it will act as a transition from The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, which focused on Geralt of Rivia, to The Witcher 4, which focuses on Ciri. Fans have been sharing theories online, with one user pointing out that the sword Geralt is holding in the expansion’s cover art is Ciri’s Zireael, or something very close to it. This suggests it will be a ‘passing the torch’ setting, adding more fuel to past rumors.

    Official voices and hints

    Paweł Sasko on X, Reddit

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  • Age of Empires IV Jin Dynasty Update Featuring Yue Fei’s Legacy

    Age of Empires IV Jin Dynasty Update Featuring Yue Fei’s Legacy

    Key Takeaway

    1. The Yue Fei’s Legacy expansion introduces a new campaign, civilization (Jin Dynasty), multiplayer maps, and biomes, with content available on multiple platforms and included for Game Pass subscribers.
    2. The campaign follows General Yue Fei during the Song-Jin Wars, highlighting historical events and political intrigue, while the Jin civilization emphasizes cavalry, resource management, and a late-game gunpowder phase.
    3. The expansion features four new maps with two new biomes, a revamped seasonal structure, and ongoing support plans, despite mixed initial reviews regarding its price and scope.

    New Content for Age of Empires IV

    The latest expansion titled Yue Fei’s Legacy was released on May 7, and it’s available on various platforms including Xbox Series X/S, PC through Steam and the Microsoft Store, as well as PS5. This update brings substantial new features, including an eight-mission campaign along with a brand-new civilization that players can control. Additionally, it introduces four multiplayer maps and two fresh biomes. This makes it one of the most significant single updates from World’s Edge since the game’s debut in 2021. For subscribers of Game Pass on PC and Xbox, it’s included at no extra cost, but for others, it costs around $14.99.

    Campaign Storyline and Historical Roots

    The campaign takes players through a gripping story centered around General Yue Fei and Commander Han Shizhong, who are tasked with protecting a young Song prince amidst chaos with the Jin Dynasty. Players will experience scenarios reflecting military clashes and political scheming at the imperial court, which is portrayed as perilous as any battlefield. Yue Fei’s prominence as a Chinese hero adds a layer of authenticity to the campaign, rooted in the real historical events of the 12th-century Song-Jin Wars. His tragic downfall due to corruption is woven into the storyline, giving it a realistic historical touch rather than just fiction.

    New Civilizations and Gameplay Mechanics

    The multiplayer play expands with the introduction of the Jin Dynasty civilization, which joins the existing roster for modes like skirmish, ranked, and Crucible. The Jin focus on three main strategies: utilizing horse grasslands to boost cavalry, sending emissaries to establish Tributaries for resource and military gains, and a late-game gunpowder phase where sieges dominate the scene. Their military units include the Iron Pagoda, mounted grenadiers, eruptors, and Bed crossbows—all specialized units that define their combat style. They also have unique music composed specifically for this expansion, and their own mastery and ranking systems, making the gameplay more diverse and immersive.

    New Maps and Seasonal Content

    Four additional maps are being introduced, each bringing new environmental elements like the Yellow River and Madagascar biomes, featuring grasslands, river valleys, and icy plateaus. Conjoined with the expansion is the Summer Ranked Season, which now aligns with a four-season cycle running three months each. This seasonal structure replaces the previous system, offering fresh competitive dynamics throughout the year. The start of this season coincides with the expansion’s launch, offering players more varied gameplay experiences.

    Reception and Future Plans

    Originally developed by Relic Entertainment, Age of Empires IV has been maintained actively by World’s Edge since its launch. The game has received an average score of 81 on Metacritic. However, early feedback on Yue Fei’s Legacy on Steam appears mixed, with a 51% positive rate from 170 reviews. Critics and players are discussing the expansion’s price and scope compared to earlier DLCs. Meanwhile, World’s Edge has announced future updates and additional content planned for later in 2026, ensuring ongoing support for the game.

    Community Backlash and Industry News

    Recently, a controversy arose surrounding the game Neverness to Everness, where players noticed AI-generated assets, leading to a backlash. The situation gained further attention when VTuber Ironmouse publicly distanced herself from the developer amid accusations of the use of AI-created content, highlighting ongoing concerns within gaming and digital art communities.

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