This is definitely the best in the Total War lineup. Despite its age, I still play it once in awhile.

Graphics: Dated now, certainly surpassed with 4 titles released since. Doesn't matter too much, though, since you'll be too busy commanding units to zoom in enough to notice.

Gameplay: Best mix of gameplay and strategy of all the titles. With Medieval 2, they started complicating things, but clumsily, with settlement types. I felt much more in command of my forces in this game than in Medieval 2. Since it is a little dated, it's a little difficult to move the camera, but it's doesn't suffer too badly. The units are highly varied, as are the factions. There are clear powerhouses, such as Rome and Egypt, though if one takes a barbarian faction and leads it appropriately, you can counter this. However, historical realism does mean that Rome is dominant, of course. Turns do get tedious as the size of your empire grows, however.