However, implementing naval tactics is exceedingly difficult and the inevitable ensuing disorder is quite intimidating. Wind also plays a part in battles, and you can even board an enemy vessel in an attempt to capture it to add to your own armada for future use. Since ships fire their cannons from their flanks, you must position your fleet side on, and as such a completely different array of tactics is required. These water fights play out in the same real time fashion as those on land however, instead of many units of men you control each individual ship. No matter what previous experience players might have, everyone will be in the same boat when it comes to navy battles. Cover can also be used to gain an advantage and buildings occupied, but using common sense and simply having more guns seemed to be the easiest route to victory in a battle. Cannons on the field are a more devastating form of artillery than ever before, and if used effectively they can rip an army to shreds. This means tactics of old are of little use pikemen and horses make easy targets for rifles and have to be used very carefully if they are to make a valuable impact. Now that the year is 1700, gunpowder is in full use by all nations. However, the regular government elections and the resultant effects I encountered made this seem like an unnecessary addition and a relatively pointless new feature, since most players will want to develop their empire and battle foes, not play games of politics. Another new feature is the government and revolutions system. This does add an extra layer of burden for the player to consider, however this increased choice over the direction of your chosen empire makes this an excellent addition. More emphasis is now placed on trading for income, so you will need to protect these precious trade routes from rival nations and even pirates.Īlso new to Empire is technological research, which is similar if not as broad as the Civilization range of games. There are also four ocean-trading theatres to get involved in, where rather than building cities and waging land wars, you take merchant ships to trade spots and gain increased profits. There are now three "theatres" in the campaign map to wage war on - the largest and most recognisable is Europe, with the addition of America and India as completely separate but inter-connectable areas. If you are already familiar with basics of Total War, let me explain the key new features that veterans to the series will have to come to terms with in Empire. Each part of the game can be left to the AI to deal with, thus ignored if parts of the game do not appeal. The latter meanwhile is where you get to control your army in battle in real time, with the headcount often entering thousands. The former incorporates your empire building in the world - primarily large scale wars, diplomatic negotiations, territory development, trading and just about everything in-between. As mentioned in my opening paragraph, Empire: Total War is essentially divided into a turn-based campaign map and real-time strategy battles. This will be frustrating for some, but the auto-update function and the ease of using Steam make it an acceptable platform.įor those completely new to the concept of the Total War series, let me briefly explain what you have been missing out on. Before I mention anything further about the game, let me forewarn you that the game install is roughly 15Gb in size, and that you will need an internet connection to activate the game and Steam to actually play it. There are also plenty of gameplay tweaks and enhancements - including a period change to the 18th century - that all keeps the game fresh and long lasting. However, other than pirates and scurvy, what else does Empire: Total War pioneer?Īgain developed by The Creative Assembly and published by Sega, Empire: Total War is essentially the latest evolution in the Total War series, with the general feeling of the game virtually identical to the Rome and Medieval II: Total War games. Veterans to the Total War family will know that naval battles were one of the few low points in what is a highly successful series, but new cannon wielding warships are deemed the flagship in this new chapter of Total War history. A massive turn-based campaign map houses empire building, resource management and army movements, while the actual battles are fought out in real-time strategy on both land and sea. But do not be alarmed beloved reader, for I am not talking about football. In a similar style to its predecessors, Empire: Total War is a game of two halves. Reviews // 16th Mar 2009 - 14 years ago // By POBmaestro Empire: Total War
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