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uboat53 · 2 years

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My Dream Total War Game: Part 1

Well, I've had a solid go of Total War: Warhammer III having played several races and I'm just waiting for Immortal Empires to drop. I suppose it's time to do the big project I've been thinking about for a while, what would my dream Total War game look like?

To start with, I've been thinking back to the previous games in the series. I've played every single Total War title except the original Shogun, Napoleon, and Thrones of Britannia, so I think I've got a fairly good background. Each one of them introduced something cool or different to the series, so let's take a look at those things

Here's what I really liked that I associate with each of them:

Medieval: Total War

My goodness, the original for me. I still love this game, though I am glad that we've moved away from that tile campaign map. One thing I remember about this game was being able to assault the gates of a castle even without building siege equipment. Infantry could undermine the foundations, scale walls, and attempt to torch the gates. It was way less efficient than building or bringing along real siege equipment, but there are times when you just need to take the dang thing and this option was great to have in your back pocket.

Princesses were also great. They weren't just pictures on a family tree that meant very little, they were very real agents in the campaign and that really brought the socio-political side of the game to life.

Finally, I loved the religion aspect of this. Fighting a war with troops and diplomacy is one thing, but adding religion to your arsenal really added another dimension to it. Being able to influence the Papacy as a Catholic faction especially was a ton of fun.

Rome: Total War

Oh my (George Takei voice), the realistic campaign map and 3-D units. I never want to play without those again. Definitely have to be a part of any perfect TW game.

Rome was also the first game with real diversity in factions. I mean, in Shogun the factions pretty much all use peasants and samurai and in the time period of Medieval the mounted knight is pretty much the main unit on the battlefield that all factions build their armies around. In Rome, by contrast, each faction has a very unique way of making war that forces different strategy and tactics than any other faction. The Romans have the legion, Greeks have hoplites, Macedonians have pikes, Gauls have warbands. Each one of those brings a totally different flavor to how they play and I love it.

Other than that, I miss the trade system. I liked it when a trade agreement meant that any territories that could trade with each other would do so instead of this new capital to capital link.

Medieval II: Total War

There's nothing quite like the feel and fanfare of medieval warfare and there were three things in particular from this that I'd want in a perfect TW game. The first is the synchronized kills, where the animation of an attacking unit matches the death animation of the unit it's attacking. Sure, I spend a lot of time zoomed out and issuing commands to the army, but there's nothing like zooming in and actually seeing dozens of men directly interacting with each other instead of just using stock animations without regard for one another.

The next one is the individualized units. Making different men in the same unit look unique was amazing and I was surprised at how well they were able to manage it. And, taking off from that…

…is my next point, the visual impact of armor and weapon upgrades. You see, Medieval II didn't just have armor upgrade by colors (upgrade to the bronze, then the silver, then the gold), it had types of armor. Leather, Padded, Lamellar, Light Mail, etc that were made in different kinds of facilities. Different kinds of units started with different types of armor and could only be upgraded to types of armor that made sense for them to wear. More importantly, you could SEE the change when you went into battle. Line infantry with heavy mail or partial plate LOOKED different from the same unit with light mail. This is a feature I'd really love to see again.

Empire: Total War

NAVAL COMBAT! I mean, seriously, the age of sail. No other TW game has done naval combat as well since and it's a feature I really want to see again (particularly in the Warhammer games, how do we have Vampire Coast and Druchii without naval combat?).

This was also the first TW game that featured automatic replenishment of units which is definitely a feature I would have to have in my perfect game.

I'm still not 100% sure I like not being able to just build every building in a single city given enough time, but I really loved the fact that not all buildings in a territory were in the central settlement and that new cities would spring up in a territory over time with enough growth. It made the provinces/territories more of a strategic battleground when you couldn't just retreat to the city and hole up while the enemy ran all over the place without accomplishing anything.

There's also the settlement garrisons. It was so nice having at least a rudimentary defense in place even if I didn't put an army in every. single. city. They've been balanced differently in different games to various results, but I think any TW game from now on needs them.

Finally, dismountable cavalry. There are so many situations where it would be more useful to take my guys off of horseback, so why can't I do it anymore?

Shogun 2: Total War

Shogun 2 for me is all about the multiplayer. I loved the clans system, I loved the progression system, and my favorite part was how you could save a veteran unit from your battles and customize it. No more nameless, faceless armies, I want my personal troops again!

Rome II: Total War

Let's face it, the combined land and sea battles really gave the navy its punch in this game. The ramming of sea battles was fine, but being able to use your ships and their full crews on land made them ten times as valuable. That would absolutely be a part of my perfect TW game.

Total War: Attila

Attila, more than any other TW game really had a strong feel. The world was getting colder and civilization was falling apart and it FELT like that was happening all around you. I'm not 100% sure how you would get that level of theming in another game, but I want it!

Total War: Warhammer, Warhammer II

So for me these are in the same boat, Warhammer II was a great improvement over Warhammer, but for me it didn't do anything new that Warhammer hadn't already done, it just did the things better. That said, I liked the single entity units and I liked the monstrous units, they really added some difference in gameplay. I also liked the magic which really opened up a ton of tactical and strategic options.

These games also brought in unique faction mechanics, different kinds of machinations and strategies that each faction could employ, further differentiating them beyond even their unique unit rosters and building trees.

Total War: Arenas

This one never officially launched and it wasn't even an official Total War thing by the end of it, but I love it so much I'm going to talk about it anyways.

Arenas was the greatest multiplayer experience I've ever played in any game ever. The gameplay was set up so that you controlled three units in an army with nine other players against an enemy army of ten. You had to cooperate over a divided battlefield in order to secure victory either by destroying all enemy units or by capturing their flag.

I'm sure there'd be a ton more work you'd have to do in order to get this to work and you'd probably want different modes because how often do you have 20 players at a time, but it was the coolest TW experience I've ever had and I really want to see it again!

Total War: Three Kingdoms

My goodness, the diplomacy. Give me the diplomacy system. This was the single most refreshing TW title I have played in a long time and it still holds a special place in my heart because of this. Yes, other titles since have used the diplomacy system to some degree, but in Troy and Warhammer a lot of the faction relations are hard-coded in. In Three Kingdoms the alliances and confederations can shift in a heartbeat, completely changing the shape of the campaign.

The way the diplomacy system interacted with the character relationships was also brilliant in that it allowed a real connection to your generals and officers. They were no longer just cogs in a machine, they had likes and dislikes and developed friendships and rivalries over the course of the campaign. It was great!

The personalities were also fantastic because they hooked them up to the play style. A brash and aggressive character would genuinely play in a brash and aggressive way which led to whole new level of strategic planning.

I also really like the idea of an army being composed of multiple generals and their retinues. This worked really well with the relationship and personality system, adding new depth to the campaign where you had to work to ensure that you composed armies not just with generals who complemented each other well, but also who got along well enough to work together.

Total War: Troy

I liked the mythological elements of this a lot. They weren't overwhelming, but it was just really cool to see a huge man dressed as a cyclops on the battlefield. It was impressive enough to be cool but still within the bounds of reason so it didn't break historical verisimilitude.

The other thing I really liked about this one was the currency system. It was really fun putting together the different pieces in order to buy what you needed. Three Kingdoms started this a bit with their food mechanic, but Troy took it to the next level and it was a great feature.

Total War: Warhammer III

Warhammer III separates itself from I and II based on one thing only, the Warriors of Chaos rework that's being prepared for the launch of Immortal Empires. You see, this rework has something I've been wanting from a TW game since I first started playing them back in 2001, the ability to upgrade a unit to a better type instead of having to disband it and recruit a new one. It's great, it's fantastic, and I'm super looking forward to getting to use this feature.

Conclusion

So yeah, that's what I love about each of the games and what I'd put in my perfect Total War game. The thing is, though, there's still some stuff that I've seen in other games that hasn't made it into a TW game yet. I'll do another rant in a bit with some of those things.

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morkarr · 22 days

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Some portraits I made for a Total War Warhammer mod called Heroes of legend

You can check it out here:

#fanart #warhammer #dark fantasy #medieval #total war warhammer #heroes of legend #warhammer old world

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threetrollsandadryad · 4 months

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I need more people to get into long-term hotseat play of 20 year old strategy games. The medieval 2 hotseat I'm in is tolerating a guy who has had to be substituted 9 out of 13 turns so far because replacement players are so hard to come by.

#medieval 2 total war

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jessicas-pi · 1 year

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If you’re still doing the ask game writing thingy, may I humbly offer…

1. Sabine and Ezra [Sabezra, if you’re feeling it] with Chopper

2. Impromptu food fight! 🤪

Thanks!!

FUN FACT! I actually had plans ALREADY for a food fight scene in my Medieval AU (Part One), so I wrote that! For context, Sabine and Ezra are somewhere between 5&7 and 7&9 (i'm still working on the exact ages).

If Mother were here, she would tell Sabine that it would be impolite to smash her whole plate of food over the head of that ugly boy, who was apparently trying to get seconds on dessert before he’d even finished his vegetables by stealing the sweet of the boy next to him. But Mother wasn’t here, and the boy next to him happened to be Ezra, and Ezra looked like he was going to cry, so Sabine committed the impolite act with unremorseful gusto. Then, for good measure, she dumped her glass of juice over the stupid boy’s head while he was still too shocked to move. The sound of shattering dishware hushed the whole créche into utter silence, except for Chopper’s naughty warble of laughter. Sabine glared down at Ezra, who was looking at her like she was a hero of legends, and put her hands on her hips. She was about to chastise him for just sitting there while his dessert got stolen, when the boy got himself together and made a face at Ezra. “Are you gonna let a girl fight for you like that?” Sabine was ready to lunge forward into a good old fistfight at the insult, but Ezra grabbed his own plate of food, smashed it into the bully’s chest, and yelled, “It’s called TEAMWORK, stupid!” Another moment of shocked silence. Then the créche erupted into chaos. Oleg was assaulted with a volley of mashed potatoes from every side, Leia lovingly hurled her vegetables into her brother’s face, Chopper used his grabber arms to pick up a bowl of fruit and fling its contents at whoever was closest, the tiny Yoda baby was screeching with delight, and Sabine climbed up to stand on the table, pulling Ezra with her, then raised their joined hands in the air like a king signaling the start of a cavalry charge and screamed: “FOOD FIGHT!”

#this is like. three hours after sabine first met ezra btw.#sabine overheard ursa saying that jedhan boys were nothing but trouble and was like 'cool i want one'#so when the wren family went on a visit to Jedha #sabine snuck her way into the creche #picked a boy at random #and asked if he had a bad influence in his life yet #(hera left chopper (who is still a droid in this au) with ezra to keep him out of trouble)#(and by 'him' i am obviously referring to chopper)#(also kelleran beq is the crechemaster here btw. totally not relevant. BUT. he is. because i said so.)#ficlet #fic snippet #star wars medieval au

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cienie-isengardu · 1 year

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Mandalorians and thrones

I’ve already talked about the funny implication about Darksaber created by New Canon sources. The other hilariously ironic detail comes from the symbolism of the throne.

Duchess Satine has one

as Countess Ursa Wren

and even Princess Bo-Katan

all of those thrones were a symbol of their leadership (political position) and weren't on screen shared with other Mandalorians (of lower status than them).

Then we have Boba Fett’s throne - and mind you, I didn’t watch the Book of Boba Fett beside premiere episode and few scenes here and there, so my knowledge may be wrong in regard to this specific show, but on the teaser in The Mandalorian he did visually sorta “share” it with Fennec Shand.

Then we have Pre Vizsla who in “A Friend in Need” had his special chair (symbolic throne)

that during the talk with Maul was A) not used by Pre to highlight his leadership between Mandalorians and B) other warrior was sitting there like it was nothing

(or at least I assume it was the same chair due to specific shape)

And I find it ironic and hilarious, as all women have connection to aristocracy judging by their titles alone (duchess, countess and princess) and did not share their thrones on screen with their subordinates as far as I can remember. Meanwhile both Boba and Pre belong to famous Mandalorian families (Fett name itself dates back to at least Mandalorian Wars from ~4.000 years ago while Vizsla clan is said to be one of the oldest clans) but none of them has or use aristocratic titles AND shared their “thrones” with their subordinates. Boba more in the visual/symbolic way which suggests his relationship with Fennec is less formal than of “king” and those beneath him. Pre Vizsla on another hand had no reaction to one of his men sitting on “throne” what implies this is pretty normal occurrence in Death Watch camp?

And even though Pre didn’t visually (or physically) share the acquired Satine’s throne with other Mandalorians, the Death Watch seemed to have a “council meeting” straight after Vizsla gained control of Mandalore. Before Maul challenged Pre, the Mandalorians sit almost in circle (which usually create the feeling of “round table”, a sense of equality between the ”leader” and subordinates)

in similar fashion as New Mandalorian Ruling Council's chairs were seen in the same episode.

There is a chance that Death Watch just used the chairs as they were already here when Pre forced Satine to abdicate. Either way, he did not remove the symbolic objects of “shared” power/equality. Interestingly, the members of the New Mandalorian Council did not have the same arrangement when they debated at current situation on Mandalore in previous season, highlighting the feeling that Satine was the central (dominant) person in the meeting while the chairs in “circle” were seen just before she was arrested by Death Watch.

This may be just the matter of perspective used by creators, but though the chairs were presented like in the picture below

-- it seems the New Mandalorian Council’s chairs were put then more in the same line before Satine’s throne (the Mandalorians did not face each other but sit more arm to arm if you get what I mean?) than in a circle as Death Watch did?

Another interesting implication coming from those “throne” scenes in regard to Boba and Pre is that the moment we see them on a real trone, they share it on spot (Boba with Fennyc) or at least visually share their power by having the “war council” (chairs arrangement in almost circle) straight after gaining the control (Pre on Mandalore). And yes, Satine too was shown to counsel the situation with other New Mandalorian high-ranked officials, but after passing time. She debuted in season two but TCW showed the Council meeting in season three. In meanwhile her political activity (S02E13) focused on gaining allies for neutrality in war looked like this:

Her, in center, sitting in a special place while the potential allies all standing around in clear power imbalance between Duchess and others. In contrast, when Pre was making an alliance with Maul, he invited the Sith to the table, offered tea and in general created the feeling of some sort of equality instead of talking to him from the throne (the special seat already occupied by some Mandalorian?).

What in itself adds a nice nuance to Pre character and in general to the repeating patterns of Mandalorian women sitting on thrones as a symbol of their position AND connection to aristocracy while Pre and Boba A) lack such bloodties, B) doesn’t care for such titles and C) visually at least the animated and TV show imply they are either willing to share the power (within their own group) or just doesn’t care for thrones as a symbols (thus are okay if some of their trusted men casually will sit on special seat/ on the backrest.

Thinking more about it, the Armorer share with Pre this trait to talk with people (her subordinates/allies) on more equal ground, like by sitting with Din at the same table when he seeks her wisdom or judgment

Dunno how much of this was intentional on creators’ part and how much it is just a coincidence but I guess that is what happens when you try to make barbarian-like Mandalorians more medieval and put any pressure on aristocratic blood ties. Those who don’t use them or don’t care at all in the source material (like Pre and Boba and the Armorer) will stand out more.

(Not to say that Ursa or Bo-Katan care in any special manner about their titles as both are very skilled warriors and strong leaders. I just find it unusual how source material highlight their connection to aristocracy via titles and thrones while Pre has none and doesn’t care to get one)

#star wars #mandalorians #new canon mandalorians #pre vizsla #bo katan #satine kryze #boba fett #the armorer #i'm still trying to figure out the new canon mandalorian culture #i will stand forever by the feeling mandalorians have the barbarian tribes feeling about them #so i don't like much the medieval stuff like houses and thrones and all aristocracy bullshit #but i really feel like i should finish the old meta about pre and satine #in the context how they deal with potential allies #i totally hate the way satine tries to gain allies lol

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gameofthronedd · 1 year

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HOTD/GOT fans hating on the smallfolk is genuinely so funny because they'd probably be considered smallfolk themselves lmao

#game of thrones #house of the dragon #hotd #gameofthrones #got #asoiaf #team smallfolk #much to be said abt the bizarre way some ppl talk about the smallfolk #if i were part of the smallfolk in ASOIAF i too would be totally unhinged #like asoiaf has a war or conflict basically every other year #also typical medieval shenanigans so u know the smallfolk aren't having fun out there #let's just say that if we were all in-universe we'd be smallfolk & would absolutely despise the targs lmao #and probably most other noble houses too

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mysteamgrids · 1 year

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Total War: Medieval II

#steam #steamgrid #Total War: Medieval II

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therealfelicia · 9 days

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Well, wasn't expecting to find nsfw art of a Disney princess inside a Total War mod, but here we are.

#total war #medieval 2 #It's the Thera-Emergent Factions submod

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da-riya · 18 days

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Oooooh

#Okay this seems to be the “youtubers are all playing it” game #but like actually seems like a good mix of Medieval: Total War 2 and a city builder like Anno

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twilightcitadel · 22 days

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Top 5 Best Medieval Strategy Games

Using our carefully curated selection of the top 5 greatest medieval strategy games, take a trip through time and immerse yourself in the epic realm of medieval conquest. For aficionados of the genre, these games provide unmatched depth and excitement, from leading powerful armies to creating expansive empires. Prepare to be astounded by the majesty and difficulty of these medieval masterworks, regardless of your level of experience as a tactician or your potential as a strategist.

Crusader Kings III

In Crusader Kings III, you yourself in the position of a medieval monarch and negotiate the perilous political, scheming, and combat situations. This expansive strategy game, created by Paradox Interactive, features a rich tapestry of dynastic intrigue against the backdrop of medieval Europe. You will make alliances, set up marriages, and plot your path to power as you lead the dynasty of your choice through the years, all the while fending off rival nobles and outside dangers.

I love playing strategy games and medieval history, and Crusader Kings III provided me with an immersive experience unlike anything else. I became engrossed in my dynasty's destiny, excitedly arranging connections and marriages to preserve my family's heritage. My interest was piqued for hours on end by the complex character interactions and dynamic events, and I felt a great feeling of success when my dynasty succeeded.

Both reviewers and gamers have praised Crusader Kings III extensively, praising its richness, intricacy, and compelling narrative. It is evident from the game's highly positive rating on sites like Steam that players admire the replayability and attention to detail in the title.

Platforms: Steam, Playstation Store

Stronghold Crusader II

In the real-time strategy game Stronghold Crusader II, you take leadership of forces fighting for supremacy in the Holy Land. Feel the heat of combat. This Firefly Studios-created follow-up to the renowned Stronghold Crusader offers additional units, better multiplayer features, and better graphics. It also expands upon the formula.

Stronghold Crusader II's difficult gameplay and evocative setting took me back to the Crusades. It was thrilling to lead legions of knights and siege engines against my enemies, and the added strategic element of building and fortifying my own castle made the experience even more engaging. Stronghold Crusader II captivated me, whether I was playing it alone or in online competition with pals.

Fans have praised Stronghold Crusader II's upgrades and expansions for fixing bugs and introducing new content, despite the game's initial mediocre reviews. It's evident that Stronghold Crusader II is still a highly regarded game in the series because there is a devoted player base that is still active today.

Platforms: Steam

Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord

The much awaited follow-up to the beloved Mount & Blade series, Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord, transports players to a world of swords and sieges. In this dynamic sandbox world full of chance and peril, you can carve out your own road to dominance in this medieval action-RPG, developed by TaleWorlds Entertainment.

I was impressed with Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord because of its expansive universe and flexible gameplay. The game gave me a degree of freedom not often found in games of this kind, whether I was commanding my soldiers in combat or negotiating with other factions. I will never soon forget the excitement of starting from zero and watching my own business grow.

Fans have praised Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord for its vast world and intricate gameplay mechanics, even if it is still in early access. The game has received excellent reviews overall, despite some criticism of its development, and users are looking forward to more updates and enhancements.

Platforms: Steam, Playstation Store

Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition

Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition is a remastered version of the well-loved RTS classic that allows you to relive the splendour of the Middle Ages. This definitive edition of Age of Empires II, created by Forgotten Empires and released by Xbox Game Studios, features amazing 4K graphics, improved audio, and an abundance of new content to bring the game's classic gameplay to contemporary audiences.

Being one of the first strategy games I ever played, Age of Empires II has a particular place in my heart. My expectations were far exceeded by the Definitive Edition, which added contemporary enhancements while keeping the allure and captivating gameplay of the original. Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition is still a mainstay in my game collection, whether I'm playing through old campaigns or taking on friends in multiplayer.

Both critics and players have lauded Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition for its accurate replication of the old game while adding contemporary features. It's evident that the Age of Empires fanbase is still as fervent as ever because of the game's extremely good rating on websites like Steam.

Platforms: Steam, Microsoft Store

Total War: Medieval II

In Creative Assembly's critically acclaimed strategy game, Total War: Medieval II, you can lead armies to victory and alter the course of history. In this expansive real-time strategy game set in the turbulent Middle Ages, players take control of well-known groups like France, England, and the Holy Roman Empire in their struggle for dominance over Europe, the Middle East, and beyond.

I was enthralled by Total War: Medieval II because of its strategic depth and epic scale. The game provided an immersion level that was unsurpassed by other games in the genre, from controlling economies and cities to planning large-scale wars involving thousands of warriors. Every choice seemed significant and important, whether it was to fight faraway empires or form agreements with nearby nations.

Both critics and players have lauded Total War: Medieval II for its rich gameplay mechanics, historical realism, and engrossing atmosphere. The game remains a popular classic among strategy fans, with a committed modding community producing new content and experiences.

Platforms: Steam, App Store, Google Play

Forge Your Destiny

The age of conquest awaits you when you have these top 5 greatest medieval strategy games at your disposal. For every couch general and aspiring monarch, this has plenty to offer, whether of whether they are more drawn to the grandeur of dynasty politics or the excitement of epic battles. So prepare to carve out your own position in history by marshalling your forces and resources. You have the task of taking over the medieval world!

My Own Dark Fantasy Realm

Hi there, fellow fans of dark fantasy! Thanks to your unflinching support, our blog—which is packed with tales and inspirations of dark fantasy—is making waves on TikTok, Pinterest, and YouTube. Even more thrilling is the fact that we're creating a captivating Trading Card Game to further engross you in Twilight Citadel's eerie mysteries. Explore the depths of the shadows with our website, where you can get eerie yet lovely phone wallpapers and posters. Furthermore, we've got you covered with free resources like desktop wallpapers and profile pictures to make sure your gadgets are brimming with eerie fantasy atmosphere. Come along with us on this surreal adventure, where fears come true and shadows dance. Are you prepared to welcome the gloom?

#medieval games #fantasy games #medieval #fantasy #medieval fantasy #strategy games #rpg games #video games #games #gaming #pc games #top 5 #Crusader Kings III #Total War: Medieval II #Mount & Blade II

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