Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition – The Viking Sagas

The Viking Sagas is an expansion for Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition that focuses on Northern Europe in the Viking Age. The DLC pack adds three new civilizations to the strategy game: Danes, Saxons and Varangians, new regional units and an extensive single-player campaign centered around Harald Hardrada.

The expansion builds on the familiar real-time strategy basics of Age of Empires II and mainly adds new playstyles for land and naval warfare. To play, you need the base game Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition.

The Viking Sagas was released on September 22, 2026. The expansion launched at the same time for the PC versions of Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition, as well as for Xbox and PlayStation 5.

The major update 185872 for the base game also arrived at launch. Parts of the accompanying revamp, including changes to the Vikings and several historical scenarios, are also available to players without the DLC, while the three new civilizations and the Harald Hardrada campaign are part of the paid expansion.

The expansion is available for PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5. On PC, the respective version of the base game is required; Steam lists The Viking Sagas as a downloadable add-on for Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition.

The new content relies on the multiplayer and crossplay structure of the base game. The Viking Sagas is not a standalone game.

The focus is on three new civilizations with their own military strengths. The Danes rely on early raids, fast ships and Jomsvikings, who pressure buildings and ships with fire attacks. The Saxons play more defensively, combining strong fortifications with the versatile Hearth Troop. The Varangians combine mobility on rivers and seas with cavalry and the Varangian Guard.

The DLC also expands the shared unit pool with Varangian Guards, Mounted Crossbowmen and Longships, among others. The new civilizations are playable in skirmishes and multiplayer matches as well as in the campaign.

The single-player content tells Harald Hardrada's rise in 15 scenarios, spread across three connected campaigns. The Exiled Prince runs from Norway into the Byzantine sphere of power, The Hard Ruler focuses on Harald's struggle for the Nordic thrones, and The Last Viking leads to his campaign in England.

The three parts can be played in any order and use the new civilizations as well as the reworked Vikings. Settings range from Scandinavia across Kievan Rus and Constantinople to England.

Each of the three new civilizations has its own profile. Danes reward aggressive raiding and a strong naval fleet, Saxons secure terrain with fortifications and sturdy infantry, while Varangians benefit from trade, mobility and flexible mercenary-style units.

At the same time, the classic Viking civilization was reworked. The changes to the Vikings, as well as modernized historical battles such as Hastings, Vinlandsaga and York, are partly part of the free companion update and are therefore not exclusively tied to owning The Viking Sagas.