Total War: Warhammer III released this year to much anticipation as the latest in a 15-game long Total War franchise. These turn-based strategy and real-time tactics computer games have been delighting gamers for over two decades and each entry in the series has at least one reason to give it a try.
From historical battles to fantasy worlds to a mixture of the two, the Total War franchise has covered a wide range of universes in its ever-evolving bid to create the best RTS and war simulator. Even titles on the lower end of the spectrum can stand up against the best in the genre.
Shogun (Metascore: 84)
The game that kicked off the series still stacks up 20 years later. Set in the samurai-filled Sengoku period, Shogun: Total War introduced gameplay mechanics that remain standard to this day. Play is turn-based in the overworld with familiar diplomacy options and battles look familiar when gamers get to the general-eye view.
There are a variety of feudal-era Japanese factions to choose from, each with its own unique skills and strengths. Gamers may now chuckle at the blocky graphics and low amount of battle and turn options, but Shogun gave everyone a taste of what was to come.
Medieval (Metascore: 84)
The second Total War outing built upon the foundation made by the first game in the series. Medieval: Total War released in 2002, focused on a much larger time period than its predecessor taking place over 400 years in the Middle Ages and including factions to match the time period.
Increasing graphic capabilities allowed players to field bigger armies than ever before on maps that were more detailed than many had seen in similar games. Medieval also added the all-important religious considerations to the turn-based portion and siege battles as a standard.
Three Kingdoms (Metascore: 85)
In 2020, Total War: Three Kingdoms squeezed its way between the releases of the popular Warhammer trilogy. Taking place during the legendary Three Kingdoms period in China around 220 AD, players take control of one of 12 factions and work to unify the country under one kingdom.
Along with fantastic graphics and the expected intricate gameplay, Three Kingdoms added an important aspect: controllable generals with distinct personalities who need to be taken care of, almost like a Sims avatar. These generals can make friends, get angry, and fight enemy generals one-on-one for a dramatic victory.
Warhammer (Metascore: 86)
Created after the partnership of Sega and Games Workshop, Total War: Warhammer is a mixture of the Total War series gameplay and Warhammer Fantasy universe. This was a perfect match thanks to the numerous character models and magic abilities of the Warhammer characters and the capabilities of the Total War game engine to control the creatures.
The game has the same strategy and tactics as the former entries in the series but with plenty of extras to fascinate new players. Warhammer was released with only four playable factions (with two more released for DLC) but their uniqueness meant gamers never got tired of them.
Warhammer III (Metascore: 86)
The most recent release in the Total War series has been plagued by a number of technical issues and glitches that make the battle sections particularly difficult, especially when playing multiplayer. But these issues are most likely a result of the massive game Warhammer III.
With an overworld map nearly two times larger than the one in Warhammer II and six factions rather than the usual four at release, it takes a lot of processing power to make the game run properly. Luckily, patches and updates have been quickly working to solve the majority of the issues.
Warhammer II (87)
The best of the Warhammer trilogy, Warhammer II has all the excitement and novelty of the first iteration while overcoming the technical issues that are hurting Warhammer III early in its release. The diplomacy and battles are as good as they have been in the series and the large campaign promises hours of fun.
Factions in Warhammer II may also be the best in the series. This game contains some of the most unique armies to ever appear in a Total War game. There are reptilian Lizardmen who ride dinosaurs into battle, Skaven rats who win the day with overwhelming numbers, and not one, but two different skeleton factions. The Tomb Kings with their ancient Egyptian flair and the Vampire Coast who rise from the sea as undead pirates.
Medieval II (Metacritic: 88)
While not a major revolution of anything already present in the series, Medieval II: Total War improved upon everything that had come before it in the graphical and AI departments. Taking place in the same time period as the first Medieval game players are again charged with conquering England, North Africa, and the Middle East between 1000 and 1500 AD.
The AI was especially praised. In past games, it was never a real challenge to beat the computer with slick strategies. In Medieval II, campaigns are not easily beat and the feeling of accomplishment after crushing an enemy kingdom is all the more powerful.
Empire (Metacritic: 90)
Empire: Total War is one of the series' only forays into the early modern era of the world. Players take control of musket-wielding armies and cannon artillery from the 18th century as they contest nearly the entire world through espionage, diplomacy, colonization, and for the first time: naval warfare.
This was Total Wars' most ambitious game to date and a departure from the sword and shield warfare of previous games. Gamers used black powder and rifle formations to conquer Europe, the Far East, and the Americas in imagined and historical battles. Even the technical difficulties brought on by the giant game weren't enough to dissuade fans from ranking the game as one of the best in the series.
Shogun 2 (Metacritic: 90)
After a number of games taking place across the globe, Creative Assembly decided to return to where it all began on the island of Japan. Total War: Shogun 2 takes place in the same time period as the first and allows players to select up to nine factions in order to unite the country under one Shogun.
Though it may just look like an update to the original game, Shogun 2 introduced mechanics that would be included in many future titles. Generals with special abilities that can be scaled, weather effects during battle that have an impact on which tactics a player goes for, and large-scale multiplayer battles with up to eight players fighting at once. Shogun 2 mixed the old and the new into a highly polished and fun game.
Rome (Metacritic: 92)
In 2004, many gamers were introduced to the Total War franchise for the first time with its third release in the series. Rome: Total War, as its name implies, takes place during the rule of the Roman empire and allows players to command ancient legions from North Africa all the way up to Britain.
Considered one of the greatest games of all time, Rome: Total War refined the gameplay from the first two games in the series. It still holds up as one of the most satisfying and repayable strategy games available with a unique historical concept that doesn't often show up in other AAA games.
