What Total War game should i get ?

[Mesmerrow]

Hi, i always wanted to buy a Total War game, but because it simply wasn't that high on my wish list i didn't pay much attention to the game series until now, and now that they are on sale, or at least some of them, i would like to buy one, just a single game to get a taste for what it is all about, however i would like some recomendations on what to get, what Total War games are better, which ones should i chose from ?

Thanks in advance

[Cucciolo Cantalupi]

For noobs - Rome, for fantasy noobs - WH1.

[Dakota]

Napoleon

[Mesmerrow]

Thanks for the help, but any specific reasons why Napoleon, Rome or War Hammer ? (other then Rome and War Hammer being "noob friendly ?")

[Mesmerrow]

And are we talking about Rome 1 or 2 ?

[Cucciolo Cantalupi]

Rome 1.

Noob friendly is a good reason in my opinion, since you made it clear that you are noob in TW games. (i hope you know that it`s not an insult).
Rome 1 is also considered as first modern TW game by some players.
It is simple and that`s it. Can`t speak for dlc, but in base game there is no religion or naval combat (autoresolve only).
Medieval 2 has religion, Empire is based on gunpowder era and has real naval combat.

Warhammer on the other hand is simplified for noobs.

You can skip Medieval 1 and Shogun 1.

Start with Rome 1 - Medieval 2 - Empire.

Napoleon is polished version of Empire.

Total War games in general are not as casual as C&C or other strategy games.
Keep that in mind.

Good Luck.

[Gallifrey - CSSC Gaming Founder]

Hi Pectyl,

At these prices I would recommend Rome Total War complete (Not Rome 2), Medieval Total War 2, and Empire Total War. Three awesome games and still change from £10.

Rome Total War. The first TW with "realistic" graphics. The older games (Shogun and Viking) have much inferior graphics and are more "board game" like. Rome Total War still plays superbly -and has the Senate to give you some initial guidance, a huge variety of terrains and troops and the end game is a challenge. After the Roman factions try the playable Brits for a change of pace. The Julii are the best Roman faction for a novice - the Celts are no match for them. Some would still argue the best TW game for game play. Your older heavy infantry will destroy most enemy without difficulty but you'll need to upgrade to the best infantry wheen civil war breaks out. The Barbarian expansion gives a new challenge but I personally hate the horde mechanic. Alexander is a tough specific challenge map.

Medieval Total War 2 I would recommend for greater use of artillery, greater degree of politicing - don't neglect religion - and simply a different and greater challenge.

Empire Total War. In some ways the best of the series. Now introduces tech trees and best use of agents. Introduces proper naval combat for the first time. A complete strategy shift. In pre gunpowder warfare strategy is pound from a distance with missile troops, use your heavy infantry to attack from the front and hit the enemy in the flanks or rear with cavalry charges. With the arrival of good firearms the tricks is to lure the enemy into your field of fire and blast them to pieces. Artillery becomes critical and cavalry is basically limited to taking out undefended artillery and cutting down routing infantry. Enemy AI is generally poorer in land battles in this era but the challenges for some of the larger nations are very tough indeed.

More recent Total War games earned the reputation for holding back too many elements to sell as DLC - Rome Total War 2 even had chargeable DLC for fire and injury graphics. They're also far more expensive. The games I've recommended should give you hundreds of hours of gaming pleasure for less than one new film on DVD.

S.x.