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Age of Empires II’s Viking Sagas Will Add 3 Civilizations on September 22

Preorders are open on Steam, Microsoft Store, and XBOX with a 15% discount, while the PlayStation 5 version will become available on launch day.

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Artwork for Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition – The Viking Sagas showing three medieval warriors amid a battlefield.

The Viking Sagas will launch for Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition on September 22, 2026, bringing 3 new civilizations, a 15-mission campaign split into 3 parts, and new Northern European units. Preorders are open now on Steam, Microsoft Store, and XBOX with a 15% discount, as detailed in the August 27 announcement from the Age of Empires team.

The expansion will send players across the Viking Age, from Scandinavian fjords and rivers to Constantinople and the shores of England. Its central story follows Harald Hardrada as he fights to reclaim the throne of Norway and attempts to unite Norway, Denmark, and England under one Viking empire.

Three civilizations will join ranked play

The Danes, Saxons, and Varangians will each arrive with their own technologies, unique units, and shared architecture. The 3 civilizations will also be available in ranked play, giving competitive players new options alongside the campaign and skirmish modes.

Danes use swift longships and the Jomsviking, a hardy infantry unit that throws torches at enemy buildings and ships.
Saxons can build fortified towns around the Hearth Troop, a heavy infantry unit that throws a javelin before entering melee combat.
Varangians combine water travel, cavalry, and mercenary warfare through the Jarl, an axe-throwing cavalry unit that tears through enemy infantry.

Varangian forces battling around a fortified coastal settlement

Harald Hardrada’s story will span 15 missions

The campaign is divided into 3 connected books. Book I: The Exiled Prince follows Harald after he is forced into exile. He will need to gather wealth, fame, and power in the east before he can make another attempt at reclaiming his kingdom.

In Book II: The Hard Ruler, Harald returns to Norway and faces rival Viking rulers while pursuing the thrones of Norway and Denmark. Book III: The Last Vikings moves the conflict to England after the king dies, placing Harald’s claim against the Saxon kingdom and the events surrounding 1066.

A fortified settlement under siege near a northern coastline

Across the trilogy, Harald can fight as a mercenary for the Byzantine empire, work with the swordsman Ulf Ospaksson and the pagan warrior Halldor Snorrason, and face opponents including Empress Zoe, King Svein Estridsson of Denmark, and Harold Godwinson of England. Interactive choices will affect later parts of each campaign, while hero abilities such as Harald’s Battle Horn and Halldor’s Berserkergang can strengthen the army.

New units will expand Northern European warfare

Varangian Guards will serve the Byzantines, Danes, Saxons, Varangians, and Vikings. These shock infantry units generate gold while fighting and are built for raids and close combat.

The expansion will also introduce Mounted Crossbowmen, slow-firing ranged units that deal heavy damage to infantry. The Danes, Saxons, Varangians, and Vikings can field them, along with most European civilizations. Longships will provide another shared option for the 4 Northern European civilizations, combining speed with flexible naval combat.

The campaign will add new environmental details as well, including heather-covered hills, snowy spruce forests, elk, and seals. Missions will move between the northern regions, the Byzantine empire, and England as Harald’s ambitions grow.

PlayStation 5 support will follow the other preorder platforms

Players can preorder The Viking Sagas now on Steam, Microsoft Store, and XBOX at the 15% discount. The DLC will be available for purchase through the PlayStation 5 store on launch day, September 22, 2026.

Are you planning to lead the Danes, Saxons, or Varangians when the expansion arrives? Tell us what you think in the comments, and follow us on X, Bluesky, YouTube, Instagram, Steam, and Telegram.

Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition celebrates the 20th anniversary of one of the most popular strategy games ever with stunning 4K Ultra HD graphics, a new and fully remastered soundtrack, and brand-new content, “The Last Khans” with 3 new campaigns and 4 new civilizations.