Medieval Total War XL
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| Medieval Total War XL | |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | VikingHorde |
| Engine | Medieval total war |
| Version | 1.2 |
| Platform(s) | Microsoft Windows |
| Release date | 4th February 2004 |
| Genre(s) | Real-time tactics |
| Mode(s) | Single player and Multiplayer |
| System requirements | 350 MHz Processor, 8mb graphics card |
Medieval Total War XL is a fan based mod (game) for Medieval total war developed during the winter of 2003-4 the mod is designed to make the game more historically accurate, more difficult and longer. The mod expands the number of factions available from 14 (with (Viking invasion)to 34. Making the previously unplayable Papacy, Golden Horde and Novgorod also available. The mod also makes changes to unit stats as well as creating a variety of new units. However the basic ideas of the game remain the same.
The authors of the mod claim that version 3.0 features include:
- New versions of Early, High and Late.
- New map with nine new provinces.
-17 new factions
- Many New units.
- Lots of new heroes.
- Land bridges removed.
- New Hospital, Bank and Royal bank building added.
- 3 pagan religious buildings added.
- Pagan shaman, emissaries, spies and assassins.
- New unit stats (Units have more correct stats and higher morale. Battles are now much harder and fun!).
- Improved AI (Build better units, better empire building)
- New trade structure (The AI can't handle the trade network in the original game, giving the player a big advantage. Trade income has therefore been reduced and farm income increased by 30%).
- GA mode playable with all factions.
- New GA and Pre-battle shields for all factions.
- New music (large version only).
- Old game still playable, but only with the 9 new provinces.
- Auto-install (very easy install).
- English and Spanish language.
- And more!
[edit] Factions
The new factions include:
Armenians- They begin in a weak position and are flanked by strong potential enemies such as Byzantium, the Turks and Egypt. Units include fast moving cavalry and some western influenced Christian units. The Armenians are also a Christian faction but independent of the Papacy
Bohemians- Situated to the east of the Holy Roman Empire the Bohemians are in a potentially difficult position however with access to strong units they can become a major power in central Europe especially if the Holy Roman Empire is attacked from the South by Italian Factions or from the west by the French this leaves its eastern provinces as easy targets. The Bohemians are Catholic and share much in common with the Holy Roman Empire.
Bulgarians- The Bulgarians potentially appear in the High period with very similar units to Hungary they are a strong Faction that can cause problems to the often by this point failing Byzantine Empire.
Crusader States- Again appearing in the High period the Crusader States represent the captured territory in the Middle East and act like factions such as the principality of Antioch for example. They have access to extremely strong knights and other religious units but are surrounded by potential enemies.
Cumans- The Cumans are a Pagan faction situated in modern day Ukraine there units are influenced by the Steppe culture however the arrival of the Golden Horde puts them at a serious risk. The Cumans can potentially become very wealthy by dominating trade across the black sea with factions such as Byzantium, Turkey and Hungary.
Genoese- Almost identical to the Venetians the original Italian faction has been split to increase historical accuracy. Genoa has similar units to the original Italian faction and is in a similar situation although they face competition from Venice.
Hospitaller Order- The Knights Hospitaller are surrounded by enemies in there Middle Eastern provinces although there mounted knights are some of the best on the game.
Irish- Ireland have only the one province at the start of the game usually very poor they can’t afford expansion and usually get overrun by the English, French or Spanish.
Lithuanians- Situated around the Baltic Sea the Lithuanians are Pagan this mean they can find enemies in the Scandinavian countries as well as the Russian states early on as the game progresses they often struggle to overcome the Holy Roman Empire, Poland or the Teutonic Knights. Lithuanian units are unique with light cavalry archers and light infantry.
Norwegians- Norway have units very similar to the Danes from the original game however they struggle to expand or gain a strong economy. Norway’s units become old fashioned as the game progresses with the use of Vikings however they can field a strong early period navy.
Portuguese- Similar to Spain in some ways especially early on however Spanish knights tend to be stronger and more professional. Portugal is stuck between the Moors and the Spanish and will often have a key role to play in the Reconquista.
Scots- Scotland have many unique units such as clansmen they however have limited cavalry and often struggle to over come the English longbow men especially in the high period.
Serbians- The Serbs are a Catholic faction situated in the Balkans they start with only one province and face major competition from Hungary and Byzantium. There units are very similar to Hungary and Bulgaria using horse arches as well as high and low cost infantry.
Swedes- Like Norway very similar to Denmark although expansion is easier to the east. Units include Vikings as well as traditional Catholic units.
Teutonic Knights- Introduced in the high period to fight the Pagan Lithuania the Teutonic Knights are fearsome with very strong infantry and Cavalry although this is greatly needed as they can become unpopular with neighbours such as Russia or Novgorod.
Venetians- Like Genoa Venice is just a split of Italy they start in a strong and wealthy position but face competition from Genoa. The two Italian factions share almost identical units.
Volga Bulgars- The Bulgars start in the far eastern corner of the map and are Pagan. They can field horse archers and Mongol or Steppe infantry although with the arrival of the Mongols they stand very little chance of survival in a powerful way.
The unplayable factions the Burgundians, Golden Horde, Novgorod and the Papacy can also now be played.
[edit] Future
The Mod is positively received although its faces competition from other mods such as Medieval Total War Super Mod and Medieval Total War Age of Warlords. Also with the release of Medieval Total War 2 the game has slipped into obscurity slightly and the Mods are becoming less and less popular however Medieval 2 is yet to see a large modification so XL still has an audience who want to play a historically accurate strategy game from the Medieval period.
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