Welcome to SupremeDuelist.blog, where we delve into the strategies and mechanics of the gaming world. Today, we embark on a grand campaign of our own, tackling the monumental task of Ranking The Total War Games. This series, known for its epic scale and tactical depth, has captivated strategy gamers for years. Deciding which titles stand at the pinnacle and which ones lag behind is a challenge worth undertaking.
This article aims to provide a comprehensive analysis, evaluating each Total War game based on a variety of factors including gameplay innovation, historical accuracy, replayability, and overall enjoyment. We’ll explore the core mechanics that make each title unique, considering both the strengths and weaknesses to deliver a balanced perspective on the best and worst games in the franchise. Whether you’re a veteran general or a fresh recruit, this ranking is sure to spark discussion and help you choose your next conquest.
The Criteria for Ranking Total War Games
Before diving into the specifics, let’s establish the parameters we’ll use to rank these titans of strategy. It’s not just about which game has the most units or the shiniest graphics; it’s about the holistic experience. We are evaluating:
- Gameplay Mechanics: How innovative and engaging are the game’s core mechanics? Does it improve or stagnate the formula?
- Historical Accuracy/Setting: How well does the game capture the period it represents, and how compelling is the setting?
- Replayability: Does the game offer enough variation and depth to warrant multiple campaigns?
- Mod Support: Is the game heavily modded, and does this enhance the overall experience?
- User Interface & Experience: How smooth and intuitive is the user experience?
- Technical Stability: How polished and bug-free is the game?
- Overall Enjoyment: Ultimately, how much fun is it to play?
With these criteria in mind, let’s march through the ranks!
The Top Tier: Total War Games at Their Finest
These games represent the pinnacle of the Total War series, delivering an exceptional and memorable experience. They are the games that most fans agree sit at the very top.
Total War: Warhammer II
Often hailed as the gold standard for the series, Total War: Warhammer II excels in nearly every category. It takes the fantasy setting of Warhammer and blends it seamlessly with the Total War formula. The game’s races are incredibly diverse, from the High Elves to the Skaven, each with unique mechanics, units, and campaign goals. Replayability is through the roof thanks to the vortex campaign, which provides a clear objective and different campaigns for each race, and the Mortal Empires campaign that includes the first game factions as well.
Total War Warhammer 2 Battle Gameplay
“The sheer variety of factions and the seamless integration of fantasy elements make Total War: Warhammer II an absolute masterpiece,” says Dr. Eleanor Vance, a game history expert at the University of Manchester.
Total War: Shogun 2
Total War: Shogun 2 is often praised for its focus and polish. This title takes the series back to its roots with an intensely detailed and authentic representation of feudal Japan. From the strategic depth of managing your clan to the tactical nuance of commanding samurai armies, every aspect of the game feels refined. The AI is also notably sharp, and the campaign is challenging but rewarding. The historical accuracy and unique setting make it a fan favorite. The Fall of The Samurai expansion is also considered a must-play and adds a whole new flavor to the setting.
- Why it’s top tier:
- Deep, engaging combat mechanics
- Strongly focused and atmospheric historical setting
- Excellent AI and campaign challenge
- High level of polish
Total War: Three Kingdoms
Total War: Three Kingdoms brought a fresh breath to the series with its emphasis on characters and interpersonal relationships. The game focuses on the famous historical Romance of the Three Kingdoms era, with iconic heroes becoming the centerpiece of the game. The novel’s characters are well represented with special mechanics and abilities that make them feel unique. The “Romance” mode, where generals are powerful and can carve through hordes of enemies, contrasts the “Records” mode, which is more grounded in realism, further demonstrating the game’s ability to cater to different styles.
- Key features that set it apart:
- Character-driven gameplay
- Robust diplomacy system
- Distinct battle system
- Dual gameplay modes: Romance and Records
The High Tier: Excellent Games with Minor Flaws
These are the games that are generally excellent but are held back by a few issues or simply don’t reach the heights of the top tier.
Total War: Rome Remastered
Rome Remastered provides a significant upgrade to one of the most beloved entries in the franchise, and gives us an accessible and refreshed version of the original. It retains what made the original great and improves the graphics, performance, and some gameplay mechanics. Its historical scope and faction variety are still hard to beat. While not as revolutionary as the other entries, Rome Remastered proves that classics can endure.
Total War Rome Remastered Legion Formation
“While it may not be the most innovative entry, Rome Remastered showcases how to respectfully enhance a classic, making it accessible to modern audiences without compromising the original’s charm” says game analyst Mark Johnson.
Total War: Attila
Total War: Attila stands out for its brutal and unforgiving gameplay. The game’s atmosphere is one of survival against apocalyptic odds, portraying the fall of the Western Roman Empire. The game introduced systems like horde mechanics and climate change that brought a unique level of challenge to the Total War formula. The game’s harsh climate changes, and raiders add to the difficult setting. Despite some flaws in optimization, Attila is a truly unique and challenging experience.
- What makes it stand out:
- Brutal and challenging gameplay
- Unique horde mechanic and climate change systems
- Engaging atmosphere of the declining Roman Empire
Total War: Napoleon
Total War: Napoleon takes everything that worked in Empire and refined it. This title takes the series to the Napoleonic Wars, with a focus on battles and campaigns across Europe. The game’s campaign map is highly detailed, and its emphasis on combined arms tactics in battles gives it a unique feel. While it may not be the most groundbreaking entry, it is a tightly-focused and well-executed game.
- Key strengths:
- Tightly focused on the Napoleonic Wars
- Detailed campaign map of Europe
- Emphasis on combined arms in battles
The Mid Tier: Solid Games with Some Limitations
These games offer an enjoyable experience but often have drawbacks that prevent them from reaching the higher tiers.
Total War: Empire
Total War: Empire was revolutionary at the time of its release with its shift to the 18th century, bringing a new perspective on combat through the introduction of gunpowder warfare. However, the game was also quite buggy at launch, and its AI was not as strong as in later titles. While Empire has its share of flaws, its grand scope, diverse factions and innovative approach to warfare are memorable and still enjoyable.
- Points of consideration:
- Innovative 18th-century setting
- Large and diverse campaign map
- Buggy at launch and inconsistent AI
Total War: Medieval II
Total War: Medieval II is a classic and a significant step forward from the original Medieval. The game still holds up well with its great scope and deep gameplay, but it is showing its age. The game’s historical period and its numerous factions are diverse and the battles remain engaging, even by today’s standards, the dated graphics prevent it from climbing higher.
- Strengths:
- Great historical period and numerous factions
- Deep gameplay
- Still enjoyable despite age
The Lower Tier: Games with Significant Issues
These are titles that, while having potential, are significantly flawed and generally considered among the weaker entries.
Total War: Rome II
Total War: Rome II had a notoriously rocky launch with major technical issues. Despite its attempts to deliver a grand experience it failed to meet player’s expectations at launch. Although it has received numerous updates since then and is now much more playable, the early experience was enough to keep it from climbing higher.
- Main issues:
- Disappointing launch with major technical issues
- Poor AI
- Inconsistent gameplay
Total War: Warhammer
The first Total War: Warhammer was a solid foundation for the Warhammer series but suffers from a lack of unit variety and interesting mechanics compared to the sequel. While innovative for bringing the Warhammer setting to the Total War franchise, it lacks some of the improvements and depth found in Warhammer II, the main criticism is the relatively limited races and unbalanced factions.
- Drawbacks:
- Limited unit variety compared to the sequel
- Less compelling campaign
- Unbalanced factions
Ranking the Total War Games: Answering Your Questions
What is the best Total War game for a beginner?
- Total War: Shogun 2 is often cited as the most approachable title in the series, thanks to its focused campaign and polished mechanics, making it an ideal starting point for new players.
Which Total War game has the best battles?
- Total War: Warhammer II often takes the crown for the best battles due to its huge variety of units and magical abilities, allowing for a unique tactical experience.
What is the most historically accurate Total War game?
- Total War: Shogun 2 is frequently praised for its commitment to historical authenticity, providing a very detailed and compelling depiction of feudal Japan.
Is mod support important when ranking Total War games?
- Mod support is a significant factor, with highly modded games like Total War: Medieval II and Rome Remastered able to remain fresh and have a high replayability.
Which Total War game has the best campaign map?
- Total War: Empire has the largest map with more faction variety than others, but its scope came with some performance costs. For a good balance of size and smoothness, Total War: Three Kingdoms often takes the prize.
Conclusion: The Legacy of Total War
Ranking the Total War games is no easy task, as each game has its unique strengths and appeals to different aspects of the player base. From the classic historical settings of Shogun 2 and Rome Remastered to the fantasy epics of the Warhammer series, the franchise offers a vast array of experiences. This analysis shows that each entry has its own identity. Ultimately, the best game will always be subjective. Here at SupremeDuelist.blog we always try to give valuable, unbiased, and thorough analysis. We hope this has helped you decide which games to play. Feel free to share your own opinions in the comments below. Let the battles begin!
Leave a Reply