From Age of Empires to European Warfare: A Journey Through Historical RTS Games
My passion for historical real-time strategy (RTS) games began with the original Age of Empires. Like many, I was captivated by its blend of city-building and ancient warfare, and this obsession only grew with Age of Empires II.
I played it so much that I practically burned out, but my love for the genre didn’t wane.
I vividly remember flipping through a gaming magazine and stumbling upon an announcement for Cossacks: European Wars. The promise of massive armies, well beyond the 200-unit limit of Age of Empires II, left me awestruck. Officers and drummers to organize formations? The ability to rotate formation fronts? It was revolutionary! I dove headfirst into Cossacks, playing every expansion up to Back to War. I still recall the thrill of seeing Prussians introduced in Art of War, the only faction with musket reloading animations. Details like the ponytails on Saxon musketeers and grenadiers made the experience unforgettable. In fact, I specifically chose Saxony because I wanted my soldiers to have those iconic ponytails, which added a unique charm compared to the units of other nations.
Discovering American Conquest
When American Conquest was announced, it promised to take my RTS experience to a whole new level. Spanning from the Discovery of America to the War of 1812, it covered two of my favorite conflicts: the French and Indian War and the American Revolutionary War. To pass the time while waiting, I played Conquest of the New World, losing hours in its chessboard-style battles.
American Conquest introduced innovative mechanics like morale, where units could break formation under heavy losses. But as with Age of Empires, my enthusiasm eventually faded. I began craving something deeper.
Enter European Warfare
My search for more led me to the Hawks Masters of the Field community, a group of history enthusiasts who transformed American Conquest with incredible multiplayer maps and, eventually, the groundbreaking European Warfare mod. Set during the Napoleonic Wars, the mod brought a wealth of new features and a far richer gameplay experience.
At the time, I only played the single-player version, but even then, it was a breath of fresh air. The ability to build redoubts and fortify positions became one of my favorite aspects. It felt like a true evolution of the genre, blending strategy, tactics, and historical authenticity.
A Fresh Update for December 2024
Fast forward over a decade, and I’m thrilled to share that a new version of European Warfare has just been released this December. You can download it now at ModDB.com.
The latest version includes revamped single-player missions and an enhanced multiplayer experience. If you want to make the most of it, I highly recommend joining the Hawks' Discord community. The multiplayer matches are where this mod truly shines. A special thanks to Nappy, who welcomed me into the group, patiently explained the mechanics, and always invited me to join their games—it’s been an absolute pleasure.
If you’re a fan of historical RTS games, do yourself a favor and check out the new European Warfare. It’s a labor of love from the Hawks community, and I guarantee it’ll reignite your passion for the genre.
I’m also thrilled to share some exciting news: in the coming months, the updated version of European Warfare 2: The Age of Reason will be released! This mod shifts the focus from the Napoleonic Wars to the Seven Years' War, and perhaps even the French and Indian War. I absolutely can’t wait to experience it!
Find more players and information on the Hawks' Discord and start your journey into one of the most immersive RTS mods ever created.
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