Total war face-off

**BGerman** · 12-18-2004, 07:51

What total war game gets your vote as the overall best? I haven't heard much on how they compare to eachother. I've got the following question:

How does STW compare to MTW? I'd like to know in detail, because I don't have STW and was thinking about getting it to complete my Total War collection.

Just wondering which TW game everyone likes best, and why.

Lata
~Brad

**Sensei Warrior** · 12-18-2004, 13:01

The first one to respond but the one with the least knowledge. Call me biased but I like MTW the best. Of course its the only one I own but that is beside the point. I almost bought STW when it came out and did so well but I've played alot of war strategy games involving Japan. I also used to play another war strategy like game about the Roman empire, but in order to play anything centered around the middle ages I had to play a fantasy genre instead.

I swooped up MTW when it first came out and VI when it was released, but I do not have much ambition (or cash) to get STW or RTW. If I fell into some extra cabbage, and was completely bored with MTW I would pick up one of the other two because of how much I liked MTW. All in all I still think MTW would rank higher if for nothing else the age it was based around.

**Pericles** · 12-18-2004, 17:34

If you like MTW, then I would suggest also getting STW: Elite Edition. This is the one with the expansion pack included (it has the Mongol invasion), and it is relatively inexpensive now.

STW has lots of extras that MTW does not have: actual animated throne room; movie cut scenes; in game animation (for such actions such as Ninja assassinations); incredible maps, scenary and weather; etc. . .

Unite all of Japan as the top Shogun with your Samurai and defeat the dreaded the Mongols. . .

Cheers!

**BGerman** · 12-18-2004, 18:20

Thanks for the replies so far. You mentioned that Shogun has many things MTW does not, including great maps and weather. I think MTW has AWESOME maps, and when you download the mappack here (something like MTWMAPPACK1-3.exe), it adds even more AWESOME maps. I fought a battle last night in the winter, and it was snowing and very hazy... about half way through the battle the weather started clearing up. Not only does MTW have weather, it has dynamic, ever-changing weather that actually changes in-battle.

I'm not defending a position, or attacking you (I thought it might sound like this). I'm just not sure if by saying STW has many features MTW does not, and then mentioning great maps and weather, you meant that the maps in MTW suck, and it has no weather system. If I misinterpreted your post, just ignore this post.

Thanks for the info though, I'll probably pick up shogun for the hell of it this afternoon.

~Brad

**PittBull260** · 12-18-2004, 21:31

DEFINENTLY Medieval Total War...I have both STW and MTW...and MTW is WAAAAAAY better

Yes shogun has in-game throne room and video animations...wow big deal...STW has VERY little units compared to MTW....MTW can siege castles..in STW u have to charge the small door...which is just too easy to defend..

Crusades, more factions, actual countries (not clans like in STW) TONS of units...you can't beat that...

MTW all the way

**Pericles** · 12-19-2004, 00:31

Originally Posted by BGerman

Thanks for the replies so far. You mentioned that Shogun has many things MTW does not, including great maps and weather. I think MTW has AWESOME maps, and when you download the mappack here (something like MTWMAPPACK1-3.exe), it adds even more AWESOME maps. I fought a battle last night in the winter, and it was snowing and very hazy... about half way through the battle the weather started clearing up. Not only does MTW have weather, it has dynamic, ever-changing weather that actually changes in-battle.

I'm not defending a position, or attacking you (I thought it might sound like this). I'm just not sure if by saying STW has many features MTW does not, and then mentioning great maps and weather, you meant that the maps in MTW suck, and it has no weather system. If I misinterpreted your post, just ignore this post.

Thanks for the info though, I'll probably pick up shogun for the hell of it this afternoon.

~Brad

Hi :)

What I mean by other features is that STW has several unigue maps for each region of Japan. In MTW these are randomly created for a specific type of region.

Also, the fog and snow can be quite nice.

STW has a unique atmosphere that is Japanese.

I love both MTW and STW - MTW is for Europe, while STW is for Japan.

Thus two great games that cover specific areas and time periods.

Cheers!

**Pericles** · 12-19-2004, 00:34

Originally Posted by PittBull260

DEFINENTLY Medieval Total War...I have both STW and MTW...and MTW is WAAAAAAY better

Yes shogun has in-game throne room and video animations...wow big deal...STW has VERY little units compared to MTW....MTW can siege castles..in STW u have to charge the small door...which is just too easy to defend..

Crusades, more factions, actual countries (not clans like in STW) TONS of units...you can't beat that...

MTW all the way

Hi :)

Yes, I like MTW too. It has a greater variety.

But it really doesn't have to be an either/or thing.

Since STW is very cheap now, and since STW covers a completely different country and time period, and since it brings its own unique style to the table, then it can also be great fun to play.

Cheers!

**Adrian II** · 12-19-2004, 01:25

Originally Posted by BGerman

Not only does MTW have weather, it has dynamic, ever-changing weather that actually changes in-battle.

Weird as it may sound, STW actually has much 'better' weather than MTW. I remember fighting a decisive battle in a major central Japanese province (those in the know will immediately think of Shinano, and rightly so) in a terrific blizzard, so dense I could hardly muster my entire line of battle, let alone spot the enemy. I made a circling movement and happened upon the enemy just when the blizzard was dying down and my sight improved. However, before I could rout the enemy another blizzard set in, this one with flashes of lighning in which friendly and enemy units lighted up alternately against the dark forest surrounding the rock where I was stationed. After about two hours of fighting, including sending in reinforcements, I carried the day, but man, if I were a teenager I'd call the experience awesome.

STW generally has more atmosphere than either MTW or RTW. The soft, drenching rains of spring and autumn are beautifully animated, the cold of winter is tangible, as is the burning sun on a hot summer's day. The desolate whinnying of the horses before battle, the guttural commands as troops take up battle stations...

Anyway, and that's only the atmosphere. Those geisha's are fun, and so are the specialist units like Warrior Monks, Kensai and Battlefield Ninja. All in all, STW provides a classic unity of place, time and action that is almost as elegant as chess. And this for something like five bucks in any denomination - I'd go for it, you'll never regret it.

**BGerman** · 12-19-2004, 01:48

if I were a teenager I'd call the experience awesome.

hehe... not a teenager, just young at heart :-)

**Pericles** · 12-19-2004, 03:27

In the Total War series, we now have three great games: STW, MTW, and RTW.

One does not have to give up one to play another game in the series. All three are unique, and offer something for everyone.

By far, MTW offers the greatest variety, while STW is centered on Japan, while RTW caters to the Roman period.

For those of you who enjoy movies such as RAN and The Last Samurai, STW offers up an opportunity to immerse yourself in feudal Japan. . .

And I hope that modding continues for all three games.

Cheers!

**PittBull260** · 12-19-2004, 04:34

Originally Posted by AdrianII

Weird as it may sound, STW actually has much 'better' weather than MTW. I remember fighting a decisive battle in a major central Japanese province (those in the know will immediately think of Shinano, and rightly so) in a terrific blizzard, so dense I could hardly muster my entire line of battle, let alone spot the enemy. I made a circling movement and happened upon the enemy just when the blizzard was dying down and my sight improved. However, before I could rout the enemy another blizzard set in, this one with flashes of lighning in which friendly and enemy units lighted up alternately against the dark forest surrounding the rock where I was stationed. After about two hours of fighting, including sending in reinforcements, I carried the day, but man, if I were a teenager I'd call the experience awesome.

STW generally has more atmosphere than either MTW or RTW. The soft, drenching rains of spring and autumn are beautifully animated, the cold of winter is tangible, as is the burning sun on a hot summer's day. The desolate whinnying of the horses before battle, the guttural commands as troops take up battle stations...

Anyway, and that's only the atmosphere. Those geisha's are fun, and so are the specialist units like Warrior Monks, Kensai and Battlefield Ninja. All in all, STW provides a classic unity of place, time and action that is almost as elegant as chess. And this for something like five bucks in any denomination - I'd go for it, you'll never regret it.

lmao so you're saying STW is better because it has better wather animations......

**Pericles** · 12-19-2004, 23:44

Originally Posted by PittBull260

lmao so you're saying STW is better because it has better wather animations......

That is not what he's saying.

He's saying that STW has enough atmosphere and is unique in its own way and is worth buying (especially since it is very, very cheap now).

More onfo on STW:

http://www.totalwar.com/community/warlord.htm

**Pericles** · 12-20-2004, 00:24

For those interested in getting STW, the Wargamer took an in-depth look at STW:

http://www.wargamer.com/reviews/shogun_main.asp

**HicRic** · 12-21-2004, 22:24

STW is very cheap-buy Warlord Edition and you get the game and expansion for £5. bargin!

Like people have said, the atmosphere is terrific! If medieval Japan interests you or you find samurai interesting at all you'll love the tiny investment. The battles 'feel' much more elegant; due to there being less types of troops, there's much more emphasis on the battle system and the use of tactics in battle. Also because there are few types of units, the game feels much more balanced and it's just a great experience. You'll be disappointed if you're expecting a hundred different units, a huge map, or castle assults. But that isn't the point-it's very much it's own game, and a great experience and joy to play. There are things MTW does better, there's no doubt. But STW was the first TW game I brought and it has a special little place in my heart.

You haven't lived until you've defended the lovely mountains of Shinano in a heavy fog, watching the enemy emerge from the swirls and advance upon your hilltop...or seen a mass charge of samurai in the pouring rain with lighting lancing across the sky...or the sound and smoke of desperate musket fire, trying to hold off the enemy advance (if you choose to trade with Christian outsiders, that is).