This is, without a doubt, the best the series ever got. Oh, what's that? You don't care about the Medieval period? My Brother in Christ, there are mods for every conceivable setting you can imagine from Tolkien to the Thirty Years War; from Elder Scrolls to the same era as Empire - all on the absolute best engine the series has ever had for actual tactical gameplay. That's right, ain't no cheesing mechanics with OP hero units in these parts. Sure there's exploits - all old games like this have had their meta surgically dissected at this point. But unlike later games, this wasn't built intentionally with exploits. In fact, most of the meta you have to learn on your own. Ironically this is because the tutorial campaign wasn't finished, but what this does produce is a constantly rewarding experience of learning what Statecraft is within the game on the fly. This gives you almost infinite replayability as upon learning a new mechanic or strategy you'll want to apply it on your next Grand Campaign.

Oh, I'm sorry: you think TW Campaign Maps are shallow compared to Paradox games? Well if you like spreadsheets, yeah you're not gonna enjoy this game. But once again: I present to you the innumerable submods designed to bring things you're familiar with from games like Crusader Kings into this game's campaign. Be warned: some of these are indeed hit or miss, but overall the campaign gives otherwise inevitably dry curated skirmish battles meaning and punch. There's actually a decent amount here for those of us who enjoy roleplaying in our Grand Strategy games as an epic saga is crafted before your very eyes. Very rarely will two campaigns play out the same way.

My strong advice to all new players is to start with Vanilla. Once you've exhausted that, start looking into mods. All the expansions are worth playing for shorter more thematic campaigns that will put your skills to the test with new mechanics, unit types and unique maps. But if you think you grasp TW enough, feel free to jump straight to mods. Hot-take: the Warhammer mod is a better TW adaptation of the franchise than the retail release will ever be and this simple fact is why CA & Sega occasionally sneak patches that seem to, mechanically, hurt this mod the most.

No matter what becomes of the franchise, this entry represents the peak. This is where they got what Total War is supposed to be right. This was the best the gameplay ever was for people who care about real strategy, tactical warfare and not gimmicks and memes. There's plenty of those here, but unlike with new versions it's not the only thing the game is good for.

Multiplayer is best with friends and all the mods work with it. Brave public lobbies at your own risk. There's no way beyond Gentleman's Honor to set rules for army comps to prevent people - especially in Vanilla - from getting a stack of six Venetian General's Bodyguard. But with friends you'll be needing a towel on standby to wipe the sweat off your face with how intense it gets with a group of people who know their stuff. Your Discord will become absolutely silent as you and the homies focus up.

Like I said: this is what Total War should've been. If you want to understand why people have such strong feelings about it and the original Rome is too dated for you, check this out. If you're that stuck on Antiquity - I understand - Europa Barbororum II is the mod for you. It's the same time period as that game with mind-blowing added realism, historical accuracy and an expanded campaign map.

I'd say it's worth the full retail price. But I do have my gumption about paying, today, what I paid for a game twenty years ago. Either way, pick it up and thank me later.

Creative Assembly please do remaster of this game. It was fantastic!

fun game