The core gameplay elements are shared heavily with the original, but
Definitive Edition builds upon it. The remaster includes new
4K Ultra HD graphics, rebuilt 3D assets, improved destruction animations on buildings, a spectator mode, an overhauled and scalable UI, mod support, new server-based online multiplayer with cross-network play, new maps, and remastered sounds and music. It features two new civilizations, the
Incas and the
Swedes, along with two new game modes, The Art of War and Historical Battles. It includes all previous expansions from the original game (
The WarChiefs,
The Asian Dynasties). A second expansion pack,
The African Royals, was announced on July 20, 2021 and released on August 2.
The African Royals expansion adds two new civilizations, the
Ethiopians and the
Hausa, as well as three new Historical Battles, 15 new African maps, 5 new indigenous African civilizations to ally with, and 11 new achievements. An expansion pack adding the
Mexico civilization was announced on November 22, 2021 and released on December 1. In addition to the new civilization, several historical battle scenarios were added to the game centered around both the Mexican civilization and the United States civilization, as well as 10 new achievements and additional content for the American civilization. Another expansion pack,
Knights of the Mediterranean, was announced on May 12, 2022 and released on May 26, adding both
Italian and
Maltese (
Knights Hospitaller) civilizations. It also added 30 new random maps, 9 new minor civilizations called Royal Houses, 8 historical maps, two new game modes (Diplomacy and Tycoon) and 25 new achievements. == Release ==