Cossacks 3: The Golden Age

Cossacks 3: The Golden Age is the fifth and final official DLC expansion for GSC Game World’s massive 3D remake, released on August 24, 2017.

As the concluding piece of the Digital Deluxe Edition content roadmap, this expansion was designed as the “grand finale.” It didn’t just add nations; it introduced an entirely new way to play the game and officially completed the massive 20-nation roster originally seen in the 2002 Back to War era.

The New Game Mode: Historical Battles

The headline feature of The Golden Age is the “Historical Battle” mode. While standard Cossacks matches involve base-building and long-term economic management, this mode is designed for players who want pure, tactical combat.

• Large-Scale Scenarios: It features 8 meticulously crafted historical engagements that can support up to 8 players simultaneously.
• Tactical Focus: Players are given a fixed, historically accurate army and must utilize terrain, formations, and troop preservation to defeat their opponents, entirely removing the need to manage peasants and resources.

The New Nations: Switzerland and Piedmont

The DLC formally reintroduced the final two classic nations to the 3D engine, bringing the total playable roster to a massive 21 (including Scotland).

• Switzerland: A defensive and early-game powerhouse. They feature incredibly tough 17th-century Pikemen, Jaegers, and the Mounted Jaeger (a unique hussar). Switzerland is ideal for players who want to hold a solid line and punish overextended enemies.
• Piedmont: Representing the North Italian military tradition. This nation focuses on versatile gunpowder tactics and features two highly specialized units: the Padre (a unique support unit) and the 18th-century Dragoon.

Note: As with previous DLCs, Deluxe Edition owners received two weeks of exclusive early access to these nations before they were made available for free to the entire community.

The Dutch Campaign: “Oranien Boven!”

The expansion features a brand-new, narrative-heavy campaign focused on the Dutch Republic. The missions take you through the most pivotal moments of the 17th century, from the height of Dutch naval and economic power to the desperate defense of their homeland during the “Disaster Year” (1672). You’ll lead the House of Orange through land and sea battles across Europe and the colonies.

Additional Content: Scenarios and Units

To round out the single-player experience, The Golden Age added four standalone scenarios:

• Siege of Dunkirk (1658): A massive combined-arms clash on the French coast.
• War over Brazil: A naval and colonial conflict for control of South American resources.
• Caribbean War: A multi-faction skirmish for dominance in the New World.
• Portuguese Restoration War (1668): A tactical struggle for independence against the Spanish crown.

Summary of Features:

• Historical Battles — A brand-new multiplayer mode focusing on pure tactical combat for up to 8 players.
• The Dutch Campaign — Lead the Republic through 17th-century conflicts in the “Oranien Boven!” story.
• Switzerland & Piedmont — The final two classic nations return with original soundtracks and 5 unique units.
• 4 New Scenarios — Test your skills in standalone missions ranging from the Caribbean to Portugal.
• Complete Roster — Marks the official completion of the massive, diverse nation list for the 3D era.

Release Platforms:

• Microsoft Windows (PC) — August 24, 2017
• Linux — August 2017
• (Currently available on Steam and GOG.com as the final DLC in the Cossacks 3 Anthology).