The expansion for Renowed Explorers, named The Emperors Challenge has been launched yesterday on Steam, GOG and Humble Bundle.

Utrecht, The Netherlands (May 10, 2017) — Treasure hunters rejoice! Renowned Explorers: The Emperor’s Challenge is officially launched on Windows PC, Mac, and Linux today May 10, 2017.  Traverse the world with a team of personality-rich characters, all on the whim of an enigmatic Emperor.

Take charge of your custom built team and travel to exotic lands like Egypt, The Caribbean, and in this expansion: Indonesia. Renowned Explorers has you use your considerable charms to convince the locals to give you a hand, or you can strong-arm your way to riches and fame by fighting vicious foes. Beware-- hot on your trail is a rival team led by the public’s favorite, Matthieu Rivalleux. He and his team will do anything to prevent you from making the newspaper front page, so ready your wits, charm, and strength to become the media darling. Earn your place in treasure hunting history!

Child prodigy in the fields of diplomacy and archaeology; Wang Yu, with a knack for fireworks and a penchant for trouble; Phailin Boonyasak, whose charm is only shadowed by her hidden past and unknown motivations; and Hojo Fumiaki, a champion explorer, who is using his travels (and love of cleaning) as a way to temper his anger management issues.

Introduced in this release is a new play mode that lets you go head-to-head with Rivalleux and his team for the favor of Chinese Emperor Guāngxù.

Game Features:

• Explore the far corners of the world in the age of discovery, outsmart your rivals, campaign for fame, and become the most Renowned Explorer of the 19th century

• Create your own adventures; get to know your explorers with their character unique traits, skills, and quirks; and manage their progression while hunting for the most prestigious treasures

• Prepare your treasure hunt; collect Insight, Research, Gold, and Status on your expeditions to acquire supplies and support for your next adventure

• Attitude-based gameplay; choose the best course of action by engaging your opponents physically and mentally using charm, deception, intimidation, or a show of force

• There is always something new to discover in the thrilling, procedurally generated expeditions, where your reputation opens up new opportunities

About the Expansion:

Renowned Explorers: The Emperor's Challenge is the second premium expansion pack for "adventurer manager" Renowned Explorers. The release opens up East Asia with first-time additions to the character roster; a new expedition in Indonesia; and a whole new game mode in which you compete directly against Rivaleux to fulfill the desires of Chinese Emperor Guāngxù.

Old Man Mordaith has reviewed the upcoming DLC Renowned Explorers: The Emperor's Challenge:

The Emperors New Groove

Who Are These Brave Explorers?

When Renowned Explorers: International Society was first released I was unsure of what to make of its goofy but well-designed art style. I was quickly made a believer of the game. Put out by Abbey Games in 2015, two years after their other title Reus, RE:IS was a well received hit. Seeing the success of RE:IS, Abbey Games turned their focus to expanding the series and here we are now, at the next major DLC.

To be brief, RE:IS is a turn based exploration game, where players assemble parties of three from among the modest selection of characters. Each character has their own quirks, abilities, and animations. Conflicts are handled through Friendly, Devious or Aggressive means, deploying specific attacks for each flavor, all to defeat your nemesis, Rivaleux.

[...]

Adventure Awaits

For the reasonable price tag of the DLC ($7.49 USD/$8.29 CAD), it adds far more content than I was expecting. I shouldn’t be surprised however, considering Abbey Games has established a fairly good reputation now for above average content at below average prices. If you enjoyed the previous expansion or are looking to spice up your exploring time, this is a solid purchase that you will not likely regret. If you are new to the franchise, this is likely something that can wait, as the Emperor’s Challenge is an advanced, more difficult play mode intended for people who have established a level of proficiency with the base game. The new characters are really fun, though, so you may choose to take the plunge regardless.

This game really had me putting on my worn out adventuring boots and casting off in to the adventurous unknown again. Lets hope we see more from Abbey Games, and soon. (Maybe in the form of a location DLC pack?)

A welcome addition to the franchise.

Score: 9/10

The expansion of Renowed Explorers, named The Emperor's Challenge will launch next week on Steam.

The International Society gains brand new members, expeditions and game mode in Abbey Games' latest release, The Emperor's Challenge, due out May 10, 2017!

Utrecht, The Netherlands - April 26, 2017 - Your crew, representing The International Society, has been spotted, covertly landing in an undisclosed location East from Borneo in Indonesia, at the behest of Emperor Guāngxù. Hot on their heels comes your arch rival, Matthieu Rivaleux, making a conspicuous landing at the bustling docks along with his crack team of investigators. The locals were clamouring for autographs from Rivaleux, whose dazzling smile was flashing for the throngs of dedicated fans. No sooner were the teams ashore, but a race began to the Temple of Trance involving; miraculous feats of physical prowess, underhanded trickery, and no small amount of charming smiles to get the locals to lend a hand! What does the lovable (but somewhat eccentric) Chinese Emperor have in store for these two renowned teams? What amazing discoveries can we expect in the archaeological dream, Indonesia?

The Game:

Renowned Explorers is a turn-based strategy adventure video game set in a whimsically fictitious, 19th century, historical setting. The Emperor's Challenge is the second expansion for the game and set in Indonesia. This newest release opens up a new location for you to explore as well as a host of new characters to pad your team. A new game mode will be available as the titular Emperor's Challenge. This mode will challenge Veterans of the game to adapt their strategies on the fly for a new level of challenge. Even better, check out the trailer full a video explanation! Do you choose Suh Min-Jeong, a child prodigy in the fields of diplomacy and archaeology or perhaps Wang Yu with his knack for fireworks and a penchant for trouble?

Features:

• Explore the far corners of the world in the age of discovery, outsmart your rivals, campaign for fame and become the most Renowned Explorer of the 19th century

• Create your own adventures; get to know your explorers with their own character traits, skills and quirks, manage their progression while hunting for the most prestigious treasures

• Prepare your treasure hunt; collect Insight, Research, Gold and Status on your expeditions to acquire supplies and support for the next adventure

• Attitude-based gameplay; choose the best course of action by engaging your opponents physically and mentally using charm, deception, intimidation or a show of force

• There is always something new to discover in the thrilling procedurally generated expeditions, where your reputation opens up new opportunities

About the Expansion:

Renowned Explorers: The Emperor's Challenge is the second premium expansion pack for "adventurer manager" Renowned Explorers. The pack opens up East Asia with first-time additions to the character roster; a new expedition in Indonesia; and a whole new game mode in which you compete directly against Rivaleux to fulfill the desires of Chinese Emperor Guāngxù.