Total War: Empire holds a special place in the hearts of many strategy game enthusiasts. It’s widely celebrated as one of the series’ most beloved entries, boasting an impressive Metacritic score of 90% and historically being its fastest-selling launch back in 2009. Even today, it consistently ranks among the top Total War experiences.
Now, this classic title has received a significant boost with the launch of a major expansion titled ‘A New World.’ This update unlocks an astounding 44 new playable factions, introduces 14 additional ships, and brings a range of new campaign features. There’s just one crucial detail: this expansion was developed specifically for the mobile edition of Total War: Empire, meaning PC players won’t be able to access this latest content.
For those unfamiliar with the mobile gaming sphere, the iOS and Android versions of Total War: Empire were released in November 2024, developed by Feral Interactive. Since its launch, Feral has been diligently working on this substantial paid expansion, which recently became available alongside a similarly-sized free update for the base mobile game. The headline feature is undoubtedly the 44 new playable nations, which include a mix of existing minor factions and newly emergent ones. This means factions that previously only appeared after revolutions, such as Scotland, Mexico, or the Mamelukes, can now be played right from the campaign’s outset.
“Imagine a world where the Mughal Empire never fell – now you can make it a reality,” Feral teases. “Want to defy expectations and transform Dagestan into a global powerhouse, or beat Simón Bolívar to the punch in liberating Gran Colombia? The choice is yours.” Most of these new additions come with their own unique national traits and special unit variants. Feral has also meticulously balanced them to help these burgeoning nations compete against established powers, offering fresh and unique playstyles while minimizing disruption to the core game factions.
A video showcasing the new features of the A New World DLC is embedded here.
All content from the PC version’s ‘Warpath’ DLC has also been integrated into this mobile expansion. Furthermore, a ‘late start’ campaign now allows players to begin their journey from 1783, entering a world already shaped by decades of imperial exploration and industrialization, with many different nations vying for power. One particularly noteworthy addition is the introduction of three distinct ways to play as the United States. These are accessible from the start of either the grand or late-start campaigns, along with a third unique option: the Thirteen Colonies.
Feral describes this third path as being “for those who really want to stick it to those pesky Brits.” Players begin under the burden of a punitive national trait, ‘Taxation Without Representation,’ which simulates the economic hardships imposed on the colonists by the British crown. Your objective is to expand New England’s population, establish a center of education, and eventually declare independence. Successfully doing so will instantly usher in the birth of the United States on your next turn, complete with its iconic flag, an expanded unit roster, renewed diplomatic relations with the global community, and its own potent national trait.
The introduction of 14 new ships, largely designed for later stages of the game, is another welcome enhancement to Empire’s renowned naval battles. These ship battles were a groundbreaking feature in the original 2009 release, being the first in the series to be rendered in full 3D rather than simply simulated. Feral initially incorporated ships from the Napoleon roster and then “realized [they] could do more, and began thinking about a more general late-game content pass for a more sophisticated naval simulation.”
An image shows gameplay from Total War: Empire A New World, featuring the United States flag.
This is an incredibly impressive list of additions, and fantastic news for anyone who enjoys playing Total War on the go. Unfortunately, given that Feral holds the development rights specifically for the mobile version, it appears unlikely that ‘A New World’ will ever make its way to PC. Thankfully, PC players can still rely on the extensive collection of existing Total War: Empire mods, some of which offer similar features to those found in this new expansion.
The Total War: Empire DLC ‘A New World’ is now available for iOS and Android devices, priced at $6.99 / £4.99. A significant update for the base mobile game was also released simultaneously. Full patch notes are available on Feral Interactive’s website.
If you’re seeking more intense conflicts, many excellent war games are available. For gaming on the move, consider exploring the top gaming handheld devices.
Are you diving into A New World on mobile? Share your thoughts in our community Discord server and tell us if you believe Feral’s mobile version now offers the definitive Total War: Empire experience.