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Platform: PC
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Medieval
II: Total War
Since
the series inception, Total War has enjoyed quite a bit of success among
real-time strategy games. It
shouldn’t come as much of a surprise, though, given the amount of TLC
that Creative Assembly has poured into each of these games.
To this point, each new installment has visited a different era
ranging from ancient Rome to feudal Japan.
Now it looks like the series is, for the first time, returning to
an age previously visited in a earlier game, as it makes a victory lap
through Europe in Medieval II: Total War.
First
and foremost, the Total War series is known for huge battles that pit
thousands of units against one another.
This will remain the case here, as players rule over one of the many
factions of Europe in Medieval II. Of
course, with the introduction of a sequel comes the introduction of new
units, and players will have plenty at their disposal, as Medieval II
will have over 250 new units to choose from, spread throughout the
game’s 21 factions.
While most of these will consist of the sorts that are well suited to combat, players will have some other interesting units at their disposal. Among them are princesses that can be used |
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for
diplomacy, presumably through well thought out arranged marriages, and
priests that can help to spread your beliefs to neighboring lands.
Interestingly,
religion will play a prominent role in Medieval II, reflecting the sway
that the Catholic Church held over Europe during the Middle Ages.
The Pope will always be watching the various nations’ behavior,
ensuring that their leaders’ policies are appropriately pious.
If players can’t keep him happy, they may very well be
excommunicated. However,
new Popes are always elected into their position, so players can try to
rig these elections, and get one of their own people into power. |
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For
the history nuts, expect the game to take place between the time of the
Crusades and the dawn of the Age of Renaissance, following the events of
these times from 1080AD-1530AD, right up to and including the early
colonization of the New World.
Seeing
as this is the first time that the Total War is returning to an age that
the series has already visited, it should prove interesting to see just
how the developers reinterpret the era. Considering
the sheer number of conflicts that erupted throughout Europe during the
Middle Ages, Creative Assembly should have no lack of events to draw
upon for Medieval II: Total War. Expect
a bit of a wait for this game, though, as it isn’t due out until the
end of the year.
Mr. Nash (February 22, 2006) |
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