Empire: Total War Review

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Empire: Total War
3.4 stars
Average rating for this product is: 3.4 out of 5

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Guest's Review of Empire: Total War for PC

17th Mar 2009

Overall Rating

2.5 stars
  • Value for money
    2.5 stars
  • Graphics
    2.5 stars
  • Addiction Level
    2.5 stars
  • Multi-player
    Yes

Empire: Total War has plenty to occupy you - naval and land battles, huge campaign map and American War of Independence special campaign, plus multiplayer. A step backwards for the previously excellent Total War series. Not a total turkey by any means, it does try to encompass so much in one game, but I think Total War veterans have come to expect better from the series. Online activation using the Steam system has caused problems for some, preventing some people from being able to play at all, even single player.

Land Battles - Not as fluid and enjoyable as previous Total War titles, unit cards can be confusing, it is difficult to see at a glance what is happening to a unit, or army. Some onscreen text is just too small and difficult to read.

Graphically can look second-rate and unfinished, a powerful PC is required to set detail levels high enough to really look good, previous TW games balanced this better. Too much evidence of units "skating" and bouncing around obstacles, which looks amateurish. Sound effects/music are ok but don't build atmosphere as much as I hoped they would.

Naval battles - A very welcome addition but there is a lot to do and keep tabs on in a battle, so can feel frustrating. Given the detail onscreen it is amazing that it runs as well as it does, you do need a powerful PC to play large battles smoothly.

Campaign Map - Is very large, but compared to previous TW titles looks unfinished graphically, and I found it too confusing overall.

Overall - I was very disappointed with Empire:TW, having owned all of the previous TW titles since Shogun. The game doesn't feel finished, lacking the polish and ease of use that have made the TW series such a joy. I have spent so many hours playing the previous games in the series that I daren't think about it, by comparison I have found that Empire hasn't inspired me in the same way at all.

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