Total War (video game series)
Total War is the name of a strategy game series developed by The Creative Assembly. Its games combine turn-based strategy and resource management on a Risk-like map, with real-time tactical control of battles. The series has become notable for being the first to feature control of very large armies without serious performance issues. On June 30 2006 a box set of the first three Total War titles and their expansion packs was released called Total War: Eras. This box set also included several extra features and the Rome: Total War expansion Alexander, previously only available via download.
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Games
Shogun: Total War
Shogun: Total War (2000, Electronic Arts) is set in feudal Japan. The expansion pack, called Mongol Invasion, was released with the original in the Warlord Edition. It is different from the more familiar Western settings of the other Total War games. In the multiplayer world, the role-playing done by the clans and players of Shogun was unrivalled by any other games in the series. The original Shogun was not quite a mainstream product, which attracted a dedicated fan base.
Medieval: Total War
Medieval: Total War (2002, Activision) is set in medieval Europe. The expansion pack is Viking Invasion, and the combined edition is called the Battle Collection. In the multiplayer world, Viking Invasion was probably the most balanced and complete version of Total War throughout the whole series. Shogun was faster and arguably more taxing on the individual playing skill, while MTW/VI added new exciting elements to online battles.
Rome: Total War
Rome: Total War (September 22, 2004, Activision) is set in the Roman Republic. The expansion, Barbarian Invasion, was released on September 27, 2005. Rome: Total War Gold Edition, which combined the original Rome: Total War, Barbarian Invasion, and all the game patches into one DVD (instead of the original game's three CD-ROMs) was released on February 14, 2006, though a CD-ROM version (four CDs total) was also produced for those without DVD drives. A second expansion pack, Rome: Total War Alexander, was announced on May 10, 2006. It was released on June 19, 2006 as a download and afterwards as retail.
Medieval II: Total War
Medieval II: Total War (May 5, 2006, Sega) a sequel to Medieval: Total War, was released in fall 2006. The game was released on November 10 in Europe and on November 14 in North America. This game includes much more detailed characters and features the Age of Discovery (and colonization of the Americas) and the Mongol and Timurid invasions. A first expansion pack, Medieval II: Total War: Kingdoms was announced on March 30, 2007. It was released on August 28, 2007.
Empire: Total War
The next game in the series, Empire: Total War, was announced on August 22, 2007 by Sega Europe and Sega of America, Inc. It is planned to be released sometime in 2008, and had been secretly in development for a year before the announcement.It is set in the 18th century, and includes features such as the Industrial Revolution and America's struggle for independence. For the first time in a Total War game, players will have the ability to play real-time 3D naval battles.
