14 DAY TRIAL // Since yesterday, gamers interested in grand strategy titles can get the latest expansion for Europa Universalis. It is titled In Nomine and it is only available as a digital download through Paradox from GamersGate.
The second expansion to the game which aims to portray the Middle Age period of history with an emphasis on Europe, but without forgetting the Americas, Africa and Asia, brings a host of new improvements for the already very successful game.
The time period is again extended. After Napoleon's Ambition pushed the game's late phase just until the beginning of the XIX century, In Nomine aims to create a more interesting early game, by making it begin in October of 1399, just as Henry IV of England is being crowned king. The early start lets the player experience the ending days of the 100 Years War between England and France and offer the audacious player the chance to save the Byzantine Empire from its historic fall and guide it to renewed greatness.
There are also major new gameplay mechanics introduced, in addition to tweaks to almost all of the already existing ones. Players will now be able to take on missions, which are country specific and, if completed, offer the player some benefit for the duration of the game, such as quicker recruitment or better tax rates. There are also decisions, which simulate some of the alternatives available to monarchs of the period regarding the way they run their kingdoms.
Another interesting addition to the game is the fact that rebels now have an agenda and it may be more useful to quell uprising using policies than to send in the army and put it down by force.
Crusades and excommunication of rulers are now also in, as the Pope gets more power and influence in the Christian world, while the Holy Roman Empire becomes more important when it comes to German based countries.
The expansion is available via GamersGate and an edition of Europa Universalis III, which incorporates both Napoleon's Ambition and In Nomine, is probably in the works at Paradox.