Sometimes I question these unique techs.

Inb4 downvotes. To begin with, I have no problem with logical leaps the game design takes for the sake of gameplay. It is an old game, and works fine as it is, and if it were not fun it wouldn't have survived 2 decades. So I don't question the existence of Korean War Wagons, or scimitar-throwing Mamelukes, or Aztecs having Horse Collar. And... metal smithing. And trebuchets. And swords. Two handed longsw-- anyway it's fine.

But these unique techs though. Yeah.

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Japanese:

Yasama. 'Arrow slits' in Japanese. Ok..? I'm not familiar with the invention or use of the innovation of arrow slits, in medieval Japan.

Kataparuto. Like the Morutaru from AOE3. Just... sorta wrong on so many levels. While I am aware that katakana did exist in another form during the centuries AOE2 is set in, I'm pretty sure this word is intended to be read by modern standards, i.e. カタパルト. Also don't tell r/trebuchetmemes.

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Persians:

Boiling oil. Yeah idk.

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Spanish:

Inquisition. NO ONE EXPECTS THE SPA-- This one is absolutely fine. Though I'm very sure the devs made this unique tech solely to make a Monty Python reference.

Supremacy. Does not actually give Spanish villagers bonus damage vs cobra cars and petards. LITERALLY UNPLAYABLE

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Huns:

Atheism. I'll probably regret 'going there' later.

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Teutons:

Ironclad. Uh... I have no idea how to begin to research Germanic medieval siege warfare technology, so I haven't a clue what it's referencing. It's definitely not WW2 Tigers right?

Crenellations. This one is actually fine, Germany today is well known for beautiful castles built over centuries past. Same thing with Celts and Strongholds.

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Incas:

Couriers. Uh.... Were Incan warriors famed for being the DHL Express of their times?

El Dorado. Incidentally, the game manual really, really twists their logic and squints hard to justify making 'El Dorado' an improvement towards Eagle Warriors.

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Vikings:

Chieftains. I know the Vikings represent the Danes, Norwegians, Icelanders and Swedes of the Middle Ages. Jarls and Hersirs are the obvious reference. Not sure what's the leap of logic that was made to make Viking infantry better against cavalry.

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Also why is the Samurai specialised for fighting unique units. Because as far as the majority of Japanese history indicates, Japan spent probably the LEAST time of any Asian civilisation fighting foreigners. Like, except the Mongols.... I'm going off rails again.

These are the thoughts I have while painting walls and watching them dry.

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