Best Total War Game: A Comprehensive Guide

Total War is a popular series of strategy games that has been around for more than two decades. With a focus on historical accuracy, real-time battles, and turn-based campaigns, Total War games have been a favorite among strategy game enthusiasts. The series has seen a lot of iterations and expansions, with each one bringing something new to the table. In this article, we will take a look at the best Total War game that you should play.

Before we dive into the details, let’s talk about what makes a Total War game great. There are several factors that contribute to the overall quality of the game. These include:

  • Historical accuracy
  • Realistic battles
  • Engaging campaign
  • Good AI
  • Excellent graphics and sound design
  • Large variety of playable factions

Now that we know what to look for in a Total War game, let’s take a closer look at some of the best ones.

1. Total War: Rome II

Total War: Rome II is widely regarded as one of the best Total War games ever made. It was released in 2013 and is set during the Roman Republic era. The game features a massive campaign map that spans from Spain to India, with dozens of playable factions to choose from.

The game’s real-time battles are some of the best in the series, with large-scale battles that can involve thousands of soldiers. The game also features naval battles, which add a new layer of strategy to the game.

Rome II has excellent graphics and sound design, which makes the battles feel immersive and realistic. The AI is also quite good, with challenging opponents that will keep you on your toes.

All in all, Total War: Rome II is an excellent game that should be on every strategy game enthusiast’s list.

2. Total War: Shogun 2

Total War: Shogun 2 is set in feudal Japan and was released in 2011. The game features a turn-based campaign map where you must manage your resources and armies to conquer Japan.

The game’s real-time battles are some of the best in the series, with a focus on infantry combat and tactical positioning. The game also features naval battles, which add another layer of strategy to the game.

Shogun 2 has excellent graphics and sound design, which makes the battles feel immersive and realistic. The AI is also quite good, with challenging opponents that will keep you on your toes.

The game’s expansion, Fall of the Samurai, takes place in the Meiji Restoration era and adds new units and technologies to the game. It’s a great addition to an already excellent game.

3. Total War: Warhammer II

Total War: Warhammer II is a departure from the historical settings of the previous games and is set in the fantasy world of Warhammer. The game was released in 2017 and features four playable factions, each with their own unique units and abilities.

The game’s real-time battles are some of the best in the series, with a focus on magic and monstrous units. The game also features naval battles, although they are not as prominent as in other games in the series.

Warhammer II has excellent graphics and sound design, which makes the battles feel immersive and realistic. The AI is also quite good, with challenging opponents that will keep you on your toes.

The game’s DLCs add new playable factions and units, which makes the game even more engaging. The game’s sequel, Total War: Warhammer III, is set to be released in late 2021 and promises to be even better than its predecessors.

4. Total War: Three Kingdoms

Total War: Three Kingdoms is set in ancient China and was released in 2019. The game features a turn-based campaign map where you must manage your resources and armies to conquer China.

The game’s real-time battles are some of the best in the series, with a focus on hero units and tactical positioning. The game also features naval battles, which add another layer of strategy to the game.

Three Kingdoms has excellent graphics and sound design, which makes the battles feel immersive and realistic. The AI is also quite good, with challenging opponents that will keep you on your toes.

The game’s DLCs add new playable factions and units, which makes the game even more engaging. It’s a great game that should be on every strategy game enthusiast’s list.

5. Total War: Attila

Total War: Attila is set in the late Roman Empire era and was released in 2015. The game features a massive campaign map that spans from Europe to Asia, with dozens of playable factions to choose from.

The game’s real-time battles are some of the best in the series, with a focus on cavalry and siege warfare. The game also features naval battles, although they are not as prominent as in other games in the series.

Attila has excellent graphics and sound design, which makes the battles feel immersive and realistic. The AI is also quite good, with challenging opponents that will keep you on your toes.

The game’s DLCs add new playable factions and units, which makes the game even more engaging. It’s a great game that should be on every strategy game enthusiast’s list.

6. Total War: Medieval II

Total War: Medieval II was released in 2006 and is set in the Middle Ages. The game features a massive campaign map that spans from Europe to the Middle East, with dozens of playable factions to choose from.

The game’s real-time battles are some of the best in the series, with a focus on infantry combat and tactical positioning. The game also features naval battles, which add another layer of strategy to the game.

Medieval II has excellent graphics and sound design, which makes the battles feel immersive and realistic. The AI is also quite good, with challenging opponents that will keep you on your toes.

The game’s expansion, Kingdoms, adds new playable factions and campaigns to the game. It’s a great addition to an already excellent game.

7. Total War: Empire

Total War: Empire is set in the Age of Enlightenment and was released in 2009. The game features a massive campaign map that spans from Europe to the Americas, with dozens of playable factions to choose from.

The game’s real-time battles are some of the best in the series, with a focus on gunpowder units and naval warfare. The game also features naval battles, which add another layer of strategy to the game.

Empire has excellent graphics and sound design, which makes the battles feel immersive and realistic. The AI is also quite good, with challenging opponents that will keep you on your toes.

The game’s expansion, Warpath, adds new playable factions and campaigns to the game. It’s a great addition to an already excellent game.

8. Total War: Napoleon

Total War: Napoleon is set during the Napoleonic Wars and was released in 2010. The game features a campaign map that spans from Europe to the Middle East, with several playable factions to choose from.

The game’s real-time battles are some of the best in the series, with a focus on infantry combat and tactical positioning. The game also features naval battles, which add another layer of strategy to the game.

Napoleon has excellent graphics and sound design, which makes the battles feel immersive and realistic. The AI is also quite good, with challenging opponents that will keep you on your toes.

The game’s expansion, The Peninsular Campaign, adds a new campaign to the game set in the Iberian Peninsula. It’s a great addition to an already excellent game.

9. Total War: Thrones of Britannia

Total War: Thrones of Britannia is set in the British Isles in the 9th century and was released in 2018. The game features a campaign map that spans England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales, with several playable factions to choose from.

The game’s real-time battles are some of the best in the series, with a focus on infantry combat and tactical positioning. The game also features naval battles, although they are not as prominent as in other games in the series.

Thrones of Britannia has excellent graphics and sound design, which makes the battles feel immersive and realistic. The AI is also quite good, with challenging opponents that will keep you on your toes.

The game’s DLC, Blood, Sweat and Spears, adds new units and a new faction to the game. It’s a great addition to an already excellent game.

10. Total War: Rome

Total War: Rome was the first game in the series and was released in 2004. The game is set during the Roman Republic era and features a campaign map that spans from Spain to Asia, with several playable factions to choose from.

The game’s real-time battles are some of the best in the series, with a focus on infantry combat and tactical positioning. The game also features naval battles, although they are not as prominent as in other games in the series.

Rome has excellent graphics and sound design, which makes the battles feel immersive and realistic. The AI is also quite good, with challenging opponents that will keep you on your toes.

The game’s expansion, Barbarian Invasion, adds a new campaign to the game set during the fall of the Western Roman Empire. It’s a great addition to an already excellent game.

Conclusion

Choosing the best Total War game is no easy task, as each game brings something unique to the table. However, we believe that Total War: Rome II is the best Total War game that you should play. It has a massive campaign map, realistic battles, engaging campaign, good AI, excellent graphics and sound design, and a large variety of playable factions.

However, if you prefer a different setting or time period, any of the other games on this list are also excellent choices. Total War: Shogun 2, Total War: Warhammer II, Total War: Three Kingdoms, Total War: Attila, Total War: Medieval II, Total War: Empire, Total War: Napoleon, and Total War: Thrones of Britannia are all fantastic games that are worth playing.

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Looking for the best Total War game to play? Look no further! In this comprehensive guide, we take a closer look at the top 10 Total War games and what makes them great. From Total War: Rome II to Total War: Thrones of Britannia, we have you covered.

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