Medieval II: Total War

"Bigger, Better, and, um, Better!"

When I first found the original Medieval: Total War in a bargain bin at Wal-Mart, I didn't have high hopes for this apparently aging game. But, since I only had bargain bin spending money, I purchased it. I brought it home, installed it, and haven't stopped playing it since.

One of the selling points of Medieval: Total War was the crazy amount of troops you could have on your field of battle. Other strategy games, such as Age of Empires, had you controlling a couple dozen troops. Total War took that number, chewed it up, spat it out, added a few digits, and created their combat system. With armies in the tune of massive, you finally had that strategy bliss you had been waiting for. This sequel takes that feeling, and adds better individual graphics, and improves on that system.

The campaign portion of Total War also was different. You viewed your nation(s) from the viewpoint of an omnipotent being, with a map as your reference. This system was nearly flawless, and this sequel does a good job of leaving it alone. The game features the historical blips that have become trademarks. Although slightly annoying, they are accurate, and informative, if you can stop conquering your so-called allies to pay any attention to them.

The financial/development/citizen concept of the game can be manually done, or you can assign the computer to do that lowly labor for you. The game does a good job of making you feel in control of everything, from your relationships with other nations, to your military production.

Military is a big part of this game. By placing large armies on large maps, the battles feel more realistic. The ability to tell your armored calvary to charge at those pitiful peasants, then zoom in and watch the carnage unfold is brutally sweet. Some troops have special formations, and special functions, for example, some archers can use fire arrows. You do have an adviser to help you or reprimand your stupidity, but I find it best to ignore him.

This game is a triumph. By taking the already working and nearly perfect system of the other Total War game,s and keeping it relatively the same, this title succeeds. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to crush some meddlesome weaklings.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 01/16/07