Cossacks 3: Path to Grandeur

Cossacks 3: Path to Grandeur is the fourth official DLC expansion for GSC Game World’s massive 3D remake.

Released on May 16, 2017, this expansion continued the developer’s trend of steadily reintroducing classic nations from the 2002 Back to War era while expanding the environmental variety of the game’s 32,000-unit battlefields. While previous DLCs focused on the highlands of Scotland or the snows of Northern Europe, Path to Grandeur took the series south into the scorching deserts and the fierce conflicts of the Mediterranean and Central Europe.

The New Nations: Hungary and Portugal

The expansion formally reintroduced two highly anticipated nations to the Cossacks 3 roster, each arriving with their own distinct architecture, musical scores, and unit variants:

• Hungary: A highly versatile, balanced faction that originally appeared in the 2002 standalone expansion. Hungary excels in early-game skirmishing, utilizing the Hajduk (a unique, fast-firing musketeer) and the Hungarian Hussar. They are perfect for players who want to bridge the tactical gap between the massive pike blocks of the West and the rapid cavalry swarms of the East.
• Portugal: A seafaring powerhouse that rewards players who focus on naval and economic dominance. Portugal features a unique Shipyard and specialized 17th-century Pikemen and Jaegers, making them a formidable opponent on maps with significant water features or long-distance trade routes.

Note: In a consumer-friendly move typical of GSC’s roadmap, these nations were released for free to all players on May 30, 2017, but DLC and Deluxe Edition owners received two weeks of early exclusive access.

Dual Campaigns: The Ottoman and Spanish Stories

Path to Grandeur delivered two massive, narrative-driven campaigns that allow players to relive some of the most pivotal military eras of the 17th century:

• Ottoman Campaign: You lead the Ottoman Empire during the legendary Köprülü era. The campaign focuses on the empire’s final great push for expansion into Europe, featuring massive, high-casualty sieges and desert warfare.
• Spanish Campaign: You take on the role of the legendary general Ambrogio Spinola. The missions focus on his tactical brilliance during the Eighty Years’ War, specifically the grueling sieges of mighty fortresses where you must balance attrition and bold frontal assaults.

Desert Warfare and New Units

The expansion introduced a brand-new Climatic Zone: The Desert. For the first time in the 3D engine, players could wage massive wars across rolling sand dunes and arid plains under a scorching sun. To populate this new environment, the DLC added 8 new unique units across several factions:

• Turkey: Gained the heavily armored Sipahi cavalry.
• Spain: Received the Coselete, a variant of the pikeman renowned for being one of the strongest in the game.
• Portugal and Hungary: Received their respective unique infantry and cavalry mentioned above.

Key Features:

• The Ottoman Empire at its Peak — Lead the Grand Viziers of the Köprülü family to glory in a narrative campaign through Eastern Europe.
• Master the Siege — Step into the boots of Ambrogio Spinola and master the art of 17th-century Spanish fortress warfare.
• The Scorching Desert — Battle across an entirely new climatic zone featuring sandy landscapes and unique environmental challenges.
• Two Returning Nations — Re-master the tactics of Hungary and Portugal, complete with authentic soundtracks and specialized tech trees.
• 8 Unique Units — Bolster the rosters of Turkey, Spain, Hungary, and Portugal with historically accurate, exclusive units.

Release Platforms:

• Microsoft Windows (PC) — May 16, 2017
• Linux — June 2017
• (Currently available on Steam and GOG.com as a standalone DLC purchase or as part of the “Complete Cossacks 3 Experience” bundle).