LATEST RELEASE: FATW - The New Shadow Released!

[Amroth]

The Fourth Age: Total War Development Team are proud to present:

The Fourth Age: Total War – The New Shadow (2.0b)



‘Strategists and Lord of the Rings fans should immediately download this mod.’ – PC Games, on ‘Forth Eorlingas’

‘The Fourth Age: Total War – The New Shadow’ is a modification for ‘Rome: Total War – Barbarian Invasion’ (v1.6). TNS is the third instalment in our successful series of releases, begun with ‘Corsair Invasion’, and followed by ‘Forth Eorlingas’, which have been downloaded by over 60,000 people. CI was given coverage in the PCGamer and PC Action magazines, as well as being 'Mod of the Week' on krawall.de. It was also voted 'Best BI/Alexander Mod' by the users of Total War fansite totalwar.org. FE has been mentioned by PC Games, GameStar.de, 4players.de, and was voted 'Best RTW/BI Fantasy Mod' & 'Best RTW Battle Map Experience' by the users of the TW fansite twcenter.net.

‘Class mod for Rome: Total War … Very Good’ – PC Action, on ‘Corsair Invasion’

One of the main goals of FATW has been to faithfully portray the lands and inhabitants of Middle-earth in the Fourth Age, and immerse the player in the world that Tolkien created. We hope and believe that we have achieved that goal. ‘The New Shadow’ is a provincial campaign taking place on a map that is roughly half that of the full map of Middle-earth. Players can choose between six factions: The Reunited Kingdom, The Kingdom of Rohan, The Empire of Harad, The Chiefdom of Rhûn, The Kingdom of Adûnabâr, and The Chiefdom of Dunland. In addition there are three new factions playable in custom battles: The Kingdom of the Elves, The Kingdom of the Dwarves, and The Kingdom of Dale. You will be treated to a whole host of new features including a new alignment, over 50 new units (more Dwarves, Elves, Orcs, & Trolls), a complete overhaul of the unit & faction balance systems, new animations, new traits and ancillaries, new music, and more.

‘Impressive…’ – PCGamer, on ‘Corsair Invasion’

It is the 238th Year of the Fourth Age of the Sun, and over 200 years have passed since the Return of the King, and the downfall of the Dark Lord. The Reunited Kingdom is beset on all sides by foes, and now even her own people are rebelling. The new Kingdom of Adûnabâr has seized Mordor and all its lands to the East of the Anduin. Their alliance with Rohan is faltering, as the Rohirrim are in open war with the Dunlendings. To the East the hordes of the Easterlings are once again moving, and the Haradrim are mustering their forces for yet another invasion. And as if that was not enough, rumours of a dark cult have been spreading through the lands of Gondor…

‘Countless descriptions, graphics, and even quotes from the books escort you through the whole game to get you in the right Lord of the Rings mood.’ – www.krawall.de

For a sample of FATW gameplay, check out 'The New Shadow Action Trailer' by Crian. For more information on The Fourth Age: Total War please visit our homepage and accompanying forums at: http://www.thefourthage.org

The New Shadow includes:

• One new faction playable in the campaign: The Kingdom of Adûnabâr, in addition to the The Kingdom of Rohan, The Chiefdom of Dunland, The Reunited Kingdom, The Empire of Harad, and The Chiefdom of Rhûn.
• A map incorporating roughly half of western Middle-earth, including Minhiriath, Enedhwaith, Dunland, Drúwaith Iaur (Old Púkel-land), Rohan, the Brown Lands, Emyn Muil, Dagorlad, Gondor, Mordor, Near & Far Harad, Khand, southern Wilderland, and the areas just south of the Sea of Rhûn.
• Over 50 entirely new units, for a total of 150. Orcs & Wargs are recruitable by Dunland and Adûnabâr (who also get Trolls), the Reunited Kingdom starts with one Elven archer unit, and Rohan starts with one Dwarven unit. This does not include levies and assimilation units.
• A complete revamp of the unit balance system, and many improvements to campaign balance.
• Three historical battles: The Battle of the Crossings of Poros, The First Battle of the Fords of Isen, and the Battle of the Cloven Way (Faramir’s ambush of the Haradrim).
• Around 50 entirely new traits (for a total of 200), and 50 (total 350) new ancillaries (including many new images); plus many tweaks to the triggers and effects of current traits and ancs requested by the community.
• A new alignment has been implemented, and loyalty activated for the two Dúnedanic factions.
• New formations that will make the battles even more challenging than before.
• New armour/weapon upgrade system that now utilizes recent coding discoveries that allow units to be blocked from being recruited if technologies are not available.
• A custom-designed 'area of recruitment' system called MEZoRS, or Middle-earth Zone of Recruitment System. Goes far beyond the standard faction-specific recruitment buildings by creating a system of levies (local troops levied from conquered regions) and three region types: homelands, fiefdoms and outlands which affect such things as public loyalty, happiness and how long it takes to build your tech. trees. Also includes access to 'assimilation units' when you conquer designated 'chief cities' of major sub-cultural areas.
• Five Wonders: The Stone of Erech, The Ruins of Osgiliath, Edhellond, The Treegarth of Orthanc, and The Argonath; three Unique Cities: Minas Tirith, Helm’s Deep, and Edoras; three Marvels (wonder-like structures): The Sea-ward Tower (Tirith Aear), The White Tree of Gondor, and The Gardens of Ithilien.
• Three Landmarks: The Beacons of Gondor, Barrows, and Fortresses; six new trade resources: gemstones, sheep, fish, ivory, horses, and cattle.
• Completely revamped technology trees for all 6 factions including many new building complexes such as Memorials, Wonder Capture buildings, Courts & Gardens, and Places of Mirth as well as faction-specific recruitment complexes.
• City Development: Engage the City development process and gain access to a choice of over 25 Diversification Buildings across the 6 campaign factions. These buildings will powerfully develop your city by way of trade, military strength, naval power, and so forth.
• Regional Buildings: Each sub-cultural area has its own unique Regional Lore building which gives you access to information about the area, its fertility, the native inhabitants and their stance toward your faction and other useful information to help you know whether to settle, move on or simply dominate the region.
• A custom-designed menu interface, featuring original artwork by Anke Eissmann and Peter Xavier Price.
• New music by David Arkenstone, complementing the artists such as: Justin R. Durban , Jonas Fancony, Matti Paalanen, Tapani Siirtola, and Matias ‘Amppi’ Puumala.
• New interfaces for all campaign cultures.
• 19 loading screens, and 228 loading-screen quotations.

Find out more (and download) HERE