The Creative Assembly has certainly been busy of late, releasing add-ons for Rome II: Total War while updating us on Total War: Attila and announcing both Total War Battles: Kingdom and an alpha for Total War: Arena.
Check Out Total War Battles: Kingdoms Here
All this talk of the series--one of my all-time favorites--has got me thinking about the past titles. Some hold nostalgia, while others added systems and mechanics that genuinely improved and advanced the games. Here is my personal top four ranking:
1. Rome: Total War
My favorite game in the series may not truly be the franchise's peak as a complete game, but it is the one that I feel launched it into mass success. Rome took the fundamentals of Shogun and Medieval and evolved them in a major way, adding free map movement and upgrading the battles to truly impressive affairs. The graphics may not hold up amazingly well now, but they looked good in 2004, and the time period is greatly appealing. There's a certain simplicity to the warfare and factions that add to the draw of Rome, and I still go back and play it to this day. For my fond memories, and for advancing the series to what it is today, Rome deserves the top spot on my list.
2. Medieval II: Total War
I would make the argument that this is probably the best game in the series. Adding to what Rome achieved and looking great while doing so, Medieval II is a fairly complete Total War title. It has the same large map as Rome, includes the entertaining Papacy and challenging crusade mechanics, and makes good use of the military units of the age that grow to include gunpowder weapons. Medieval II is wholly enjoyable (that soundtrack, too!), and the Kingdoms expansion is a great addition as well.
3. Total War: Shogun 2
The only real knock against Shogun 2 is its limited campaign map, which is at the same time part of its appeal. It offers one of the most focused, well-made versions of Total War, with attractive graphics and a pleasing aesthetic. At the same time, it's hard not to feel like you're playing on a small scale after conquering Europe (and in Empire's case, much of the world) during Shogun 2. It still provides a challenge, the battles are quality (city sieges are particularly interesting), and the co-op campaigns and multiplayer battles are a good time.
4. Empire: Total War
Empire actually failed to grab and maintain my interest at launch. The huge world was appealing, but the combat felt too different at first to enjoy. The introduction of naval battles was cool, but difficult to master, and it didn't feel like the Total War experience I had come to expect. Upon returning to it, I realized it was of course perfectly playable, even if the range-based combat is different. The difference in factions is very pronounced, from small nations to continent-spanning empires, and it all makes for one of the more unique experiences in the series.
