Paradox’s Age of Exploration grand strategy game Europa Universalis 4 has just released its newest DLC: Mandate of Heaven. As many of its DLCs, Mandate of Heaven will take a region not focused on in the vanilla game and greatly expand the player options there – in this case Asia. Below I’ll break down the main features you can look forward to in the DLC:
Historical Ages System:
The centerpiece of Mandate of Heaven is the Historical Ages system, this will break the four centuries of gameplay into four historical ages. Each one will have seven objectives that unlock seven special abilities.
Golden Era:
If you manage to accomplish three objectives in an Age, you can choose to initiate a Golden Era. This will grant your nation added military and monetary power for fifty years. But be careful, you can only have one Golden Era per game. You will have to choose whether to pop it when you have the chance or hope you will have an opportunity in the next age at a better time.
Tributaries:
Eastern Empires will have new options in how they treat subject nations. You will be able to force weaker neighbors to pay an annual tribute in money, manpower, or monarch points.
Empire of China:
The ‘Mandate of Heaven’ was the principal used to justify the Emperor of China’s power, basically the Chinese version of ‘Divine Right.’ Thus as you could guess, China is one of the primary countries that will get a major overhaul in the DLC. The Emperor has great power but must deal with the bureaucrats and the Opium toting Europeans. Added mechanics include management of the bureaucratic meritocracy among other things.
The Confucian Faith has been fleshes out along with the Chinese political options. You will be pressured to preserve order but can’t let your country stagnate.
Ashikaga Shogunate
Japan has also been developed in the DLC. Expect more active interaction and political options with your Daimyo. You will also have to manage the pride of your subjects, even ordering an honorable suicide when necessary.
You will also be forced to choose if Japan will open its doors to the world or become an isolated nation. Political pressures and international incidents will put pressure on your decisions.
Europa Universalis IV: Mandate of Heaven is available now and as always, the DLC released simultaneously with a free update dedicated to making the massive game more playable. Will you be able to hold off the Western imperialists or will China fall under their influence?
