IGN Empire: Total War Review (9.5)

**Dogfish** · 02-28-2009, 03:26

I saw this over on the official forums, and didn't see it here yet.. the review is really good, 4 pages, too.

http://pc.ign.com/articles/957/957883p2.html

Final quote from Steve Butts:

"I've never given a score this high before, but that's only because I've never played a game as thoroughly enjoyable as Empire Total War."

5 DAYS!

**Dogfish** · 02-28-2009, 03:30

Potential double-fail on my part!

a) I probably should've posted in the "Latest ETW Reviews" sticky thread
b) I linked to the second page of the review (http://pc.ign.com/articles/957/957883p1.html)

**Monk** · 02-28-2009, 03:31

9.5 from IGN? That is a surprise.

Here's a direct link to the video review. Lots of good footage.

**pyradyn** · 02-28-2009, 03:51

Prussia owning Rome is great it makes me giggle

**Skott** · 02-28-2009, 03:59

I dont pay attention to official IGN reviews. I dont consider them a honest unbiased source. But thats just my opinion.

**Sol Invictus** · 02-28-2009, 05:22

Steve Butts is usually dependable. It couldn't be a much better review.

**Belgolas** · 02-28-2009, 05:42

The second highest strategy game they jave rated. Nice!

**Monk** · 02-28-2009, 06:18

Originally Posted by Sol Invictus

Steve Butts is usually dependable. It couldn't be a much better review.

I agree. IGN gets a hugely bad rap, most of it deservedly so, but they have a few reviewers who are pretty good. As someone pointed out they normally don't tend to score strategy games this high. Which lead to my earlier post and initial surprise when I saw the score.

Even if you don't like IGN i really recommend checking out the Video Review and the written, there's some new screens and great footage to be had.

Also, cheers for the find Dogfish!

**Marten** · 02-28-2009, 08:54

Originally Posted by pyradyn

Prussia owning Rome is great it makes me giggle

Me 2! Obviously there are money cheats ... he took over half of Europe in relatively short time.

Maybe that's it, why the AI didn't like him ...

Anyway, good find and very good review.

**A Very Super Market** · 02-28-2009, 08:58

You don't need a powerhouse to have huge unit sizes on somewhat low settings

**Polemists** · 02-28-2009, 09:15

Well mostly it comes down to a graphics card, and speed combo but unless you are supporting 512 and Duo or upwards you are going to be playing this on Low-Med.

Let me say I don't not think IGN is the be all end all of reviewers but regardless of how you feel about the scores they do post more information in reviews then most other sites. You get 4 pages here of review where other sites give you 3 paragraphs.

Now, they mention some things I don't care for. For one thing I find the esponiage slider in CivIV possibly the most boring mechanic ever invented. So I'd rather stick with spy agents but to each thier own.

IGN is probably the best review from a major site you are going to find. Gamespot and Gamespy generally match IGN in review style.

Most people will inevitably only care about how they player and enjoy it, or how a fellow Orgah who they trust plays and enjoys it.

It looks like a great game...march cannot come soon enough.