Vanilla Reversed Mod is a free game utility developed by BagaturKhan. This minor modification retains most content from the original, the 2007 historical simulation game Medieval II: Total War: Kingdoms. However, it randomizes a couple of things in the game, most notably the location of the nations. Imagine the Roman Empire expanding across the African continent, or Byzantium in the Iberian peninsula.

As the name suggests, Vanilla Reversed Mod retains the vanilla status of the base game, so there’s no new faction, unit, building, or technology to expect, unlike total conversion mods such as Steam and Steel: Total War Mod.

Relocate the nations

In gaming, vanilla refers to the original release of a game. Vanilla Reversed Mod does this by sticking to all the original content of Total War: Kingdoms. There are no new units, buildings, technologies, or game mechanics to expect. In concept, it looks good when used with other mods. However, it can cause conflict when used with other total conversion mods, so it pays to use it with caution.

As mentioned, its purpose is to switch up the location of the factions in the game. As Total War is known for its commitment to historical accuracy, with countries starting based on their real-world locations. With this mod, you can experience conflicts and international relationships you never thought possible. It opens up a lot of strategy possibilities, allowing players to explore new routes and approaches.

Another strength of the mod is its optimization toward multiplayer, allowing you to play with friends either on local LAN or over the internet. On the other hand, this mod is quite large compared to other custom add-ons, although it shouldn’t be an issue with modern systems. It requires 161.47 MB of storage space. In terms of installation, it doesn’t require anything unique, making it easy to use.

Small change, big impact

Vanilla Reversed Mod may sound simple—having all players change directions and locations— but it actually opens up a new world of possibilities for gameplay. A traditionally European nation can find itself in the Americas, with foreign lands offering new allies, enemies, and resources. It can be a hit or miss when used with other mods though, but it’s still a fun add-on to try.