Welcome to supremeduelist.blog, your premier source for in-depth gaming analysis. Today, we’re diving deep into the world of tactical prowess and historical conquests, focusing on the complete list of total war games in order. For both newcomers and veteran commanders alike, understanding the progression of this iconic series can greatly enhance your appreciation for its evolution. This article will provide a chronological journey through the franchise, highlighting key features and improvements along the way.
We will explore the core mechanics that make each title unique, from the grand strategy map to the epic real-time battles, providing a clear path through every release. We will also delve into what each game offers in terms of historical setting, factions, gameplay nuances, and technical upgrades that distinguish it in the series. By the end of this article, you will have a clear understanding of the total war games in order and which titles might best fit your strategic preferences.
The Dawn of Total War: Shogun & Medieval
The very first title in the series, Shogun: Total War, released in 2000, set the stage for everything that followed. It immersed players in the Sengoku Jidai period of Japan, tasking them with uniting the fractured island under their banner. This groundbreaking game blended turn-based campaign management with real-time tactical battles, offering an unprecedented level of control. You could raise armies, develop provinces, conduct diplomacy, and then engage in massive battles with detailed unit formations. Shogun: Total War presented a challenging yet engaging experience that quickly captivated strategy fans worldwide.
Following this initial success, Medieval: Total War arrived in 2002, expanding the scope to the medieval period in Europe. Introducing a larger and more varied world, Medieval included more factions, different units, and more complex diplomatic options. 
Medieval Total War factions map This game further refined the series’ formula, offering more strategic depth with city management and religious influence. These two initial titles laid the foundation for the series, showing the potential of the blend of grand strategy and real-time battles and inspiring many other series such as games like total war series.
Rome: Total War – A Defining Moment
The 2004 release of Rome: Total War is considered a landmark in the series and a true game-changer for strategy games. Rome dramatically improved the visuals, showcasing massive armies with detailed unit models and stunning battlefield effects. The shift to a more cinematic style captivated players and brought a new level of immersion to the series, pushing the graphical boundaries for strategy games. The game’s ambition was evident in its massive world map, from the depths of Africa and the shores of Spain to the plains of Germania, representing the historical period of Rome’s rise and conquests. Rome: Total War also introduced a more nuanced campaign map, featuring family trees, character traits, and a deeper level of city management.
The innovations didn’t stop there. The use of cinematic camera angles during battles added a dramatic flair, while the AI was upgraded significantly, giving a more challenging and engaging experience. This title is a key point in the progression of total war games in order. If you are interested in more games like this, you might enjoy looking at some games similar to empire at war.
Expanding the Timeline: Medieval II & Empire
In 2006, Medieval II: Total War arrived, building upon the successes of Rome and bringing its focus back to the medieval period. Improving the engine and visuals, it presented a more refined and detailed experience than its predecessor. The game featured more complex unit formations, more varied regions, and religious tensions that would influence your game. The addition of gunpowder units further diversified the tactical options and moved towards the early modern period. This marked a significant step in the evolution of the series and established the game engine for the next entries.
Two years later in 2009, Empire: Total War took the series to the 18th century. This title introduced naval battles and the use of firearms as a major part of gameplay. It completely changed how sieges and battles were fought. The game is set in the era of colonialism, where you could try to control colonies in India, America, and Europe. This release represented a significant evolution in the series, as naval warfare introduced a new dimension to the Total War experience, making it feel like you are commanding the entirety of a global conflict. It was a big leap forward for the franchise, showing how much ground it had covered from its first release.
The Modern Era and Fantasy: Napoleon, Shogun 2 & WarHammer
Napoleon: Total War followed in 2010, focusing on the Napoleonic era. This title refined the gameplay from Empire, with better-optimized battlefields, enhanced AI, and a more streamlined campaign experience. It was more focused on the story of Napoleon’s campaigns and showcased battles with precision and historical accuracy. While smaller in scale than Empire, Napoleon provided a deep and challenging experience.
In 2011, Shogun 2: Total War returned to feudal Japan, featuring updated graphics and a renewed focus on the core strategic gameplay that made the first Shogun so engaging. 
Shogun 2 Total War samurai army This title offered a detailed approach to the Sengoku Jidai period, with beautiful unit designs and an enhanced understanding of historical detail. The improved AI made battles more engaging, requiring careful tactical maneuvering. A game like this would certainly be very enticing to those wondering how many gears of war games are there, if they enjoy the depth and detail provided.
The series took a bold step in 2016 with Total War: Warhammer, a departure from historical settings. It introduced high fantasy with orcs, elves, dwarves, and various monstrous creatures, blending classic strategic gameplay with a deep fantasy universe. The change allowed for entirely new mechanics, unit types, and magical spells that greatly expanded the battle possibilities. This title showed the flexibility of the Total War formula and opened up new possibilities for the future.
“The shift to fantasy was an incredible risk but also showed the adaptability of the Total War series,” says Dr. Eleanor Vance, a history professor and strategic game enthusiast. “It demonstrated that the underlying mechanics could be applied successfully to new and exciting genres.”
Total War: Warhammer II & Three Kingdoms
Building upon the success of its predecessor, Total War: Warhammer II arrived in 2017, introducing new factions and refining the fantasy formula. The map was grander, and the campaign mechanics were more complex. This title further solidified the Warhammer subseries as a major success for the Total War franchise. It introduced new types of monsters and mechanics and expanded the campaign map to include even more factions. It continued the blend of real-time combat with tactical map management, offering a unique experience in the series.
Total War: Three Kingdoms, released in 2019, took the series to ancient China, setting the scene for the iconic Three Kingdoms period. It focused on character-driven narratives, with enhanced diplomacy and political mechanics. It introduced heroes and their unique stories, making the characters feel more alive and important. The combat was also refined, with a greater emphasis on the individual capabilities of units and generals. A recent article on the blog covers war at war zombies games which could offer a different style of warfare from this period if you are interested.
The Latest Iterations: Troy, Pharaoh, and Warhammer III
Total War Saga: Troy, released in 2020, focused on the legendary Trojan War, bringing historical and mythological elements together. This title introduced a new resource management system with a greater emphasis on heroes and their impact on the battlefields, blending fact and fiction to create a unique experience. It provides a fresh take on ancient warfare and is another notable entry in the total war games in order.
Continuing the trend of unique historical settings, Total War: Pharaoh in 2023 transported players to ancient Egypt during the Late Bronze Age collapse, focusing on the religious and political upheavals. This title added a layer of religious mechanics and historical intrigue to the series. The game allows you to shape the destiny of Egypt and the surrounding regions through diplomacy and conquest.
The latest main entry in the series, Total War: Warhammer III, released in 2022, completed the Warhammer trilogy, bringing a grand finale to the fantasy side of the Total War franchise. 
Total War Warhammer 3 huge army clash This title expanded the campaign map even more, incorporating elements from all previous entries, offering a diverse range of factions and gameplay experiences and cementing its place as a huge game in the series.
“From the historical to the fantastical, each Total War entry offers a unique window into the past or the imagination,” says Marcus Fiennes, a veteran game reviewer. “The series constantly pushes the boundaries of strategy gaming.” There are always plenty of opinions about the best in the series, similar to the debates about a certain civil war game ducks beavers.
Conclusion
The journey through total war games in order reveals a series that has continually pushed the boundaries of strategy gaming, whether through historical re-creations or fantasy worlds. From the tactical battles of Shogun to the grand scale of Warhammer III, each title has contributed to the unique identity of the series. Exploring each game offers a unique experience, and for both longtime fans and newcomers there are plenty of games to enjoy. At supremeduelist.blog we strive to provide the best quality content on all things gaming, so stay tuned for more deep dives.
Which total war games in order is your favorite? Share your thoughts and strategies with our community!
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