Empire: Total War

77%
Game Brain Score Based on 21,446 reviews
  • gameplay
  • graphics
  • stability
Empire: Total War Game Cover
Empire: Total War is one of the best games of this year, and is far and away one of the best strategy games of the year; maybe even the best.
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"Empire: Total War" is a strategy game that allows players to lead their chosen nation in the late 18th century, navigating political, economic, and military challenges. The game features turn-based strategy and real-time tactical battles, with a focus on gunpowder warfare and colonial exploration. The Definitive Edition includes all previous DLC, providing a comprehensive empire-building experience.

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Windows
  • Linux
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

77%
Audience ScoreBased on 21,446 reviews
gameplay358 positive mentions
stability626 negative mentions
  • gameplay1,008 mentions

    The gameplay of "Empire: Total War" is characterized by a mix of engaging strategic elements and significant flaws, particularly in battle mechanics and AI behavior. While many players appreciate the expansive campaign map, naval combat, and the depth of economic management, they also note issues such as bugs, unresponsive unit commands, and a lack of polish compared to newer titles in the series. Overall, the game offers a unique experience with its historical setting and mechanics, but it may require mods to enhance gameplay and address its shortcomings.

    • “One of the best Total War games I have played, amazing graphics, amazing gameplay, and overall an amazing game.”
    • “Total War: Empire Definitive Edition is a masterpiece of strategic gameplay, featuring an intricately crafted world of political intrigue, military conquest, and economic prowess.”
    • “With its breathtaking visuals, deep gameplay mechanics, and immersive world-building, it is sure to provide hours of entertainment for gamers of all skill levels.”
    • “Terrible battle mechanics and the worst campaign map I've ever had the displeasure of playing.”
    • “This game is marred by the worst AI in a Total War game, both in battle due to the new way the game tries to handle firearms and in the campaign, terrible campaign map design and clunky UI, and unresponsive unit mechanics in battle.”
    • “The gameplay design is probably the worst thing I have ever seen in any game.”
  • graphics885 mentions

    The graphics of "Empire: Total War" are often described as a mixed bag, reflecting its age as a 2009 title. While many players appreciate the stunning visuals and attention to detail, especially in naval battles, others note that the graphics can feel outdated and buggy, particularly on modern systems. Overall, the game is praised for its immersive atmosphere, but there is a strong desire among fans for a remaster or sequel with updated graphics and improved performance.

    • “Today, the definitive edition remains captivating, enhanced with improved graphics and all DLC content.”
    • “The attention to detail in Total War: Empire Definitive Edition is unparalleled, with stunning graphics and realistic gameplay mechanics that create an immersive and engaging experience.”
    • “The graphics are outstanding and the gameplay top notch.”
    • “It's just too old, of course the graphics are pretty bad, let's be honest, and the gameplay is not that fun overall, I think, and the battles are very janky.”
    • “The graphics leave much to be desired even for the date it was released in.”
    • “It continually crashed on me in the middle of my campaigns, the graphics are blocky and unbelievable (Medieval 2 has better graphics), the gameplay is choppy, and the entire game seems like it is missing the Total War touch we have all come to love.”
  • stability636 mentions

    The stability of "Empire: Total War" is widely criticized, with many users reporting it as a "buggy mess" that frequently crashes and experiences glitches, particularly in AI behavior and unit commands. While some players find the game enjoyable despite these issues, others express frustration over persistent bugs that hinder gameplay, especially in the campaign and battle mechanics. Overall, the game is seen as ambitious but ultimately flawed, with many recommending the use of mods to improve stability and performance.

    • “By a mile my favorite Total War game, virtually no glitches or any issues of that kind after years of being played by people.”
    • “It's bug-free and the DLC (if you bother) is nicely rounded out.”
    • “Still an all-time classic, and runs great on a 2012 MacBook Pro.”
    • “It's a buggy mess and has honestly made me want to throw my computer out the window at times.”
    • “The initial game was launched a buggy, sloppy mess and even when things 'worked as intended,' they didn't, 'work,' for what a Total War game is supposed to be.”
    • “The absolute worst Total War game before Warhammer-- nothing works in vanilla, and most mods will corrupt saves inevitably/work for only a certain number of turns; the battles are atrocious wastes of time for how buggy the AI is, the autoresolve is either stupid generous or stupid punishing, diplomacy is a joke on any difficulty.”
  • replayability203 mentions

    The game is widely praised for its exceptional replayability, attributed to its diverse factions, unique gameplay mechanics, and the availability of mods that enhance the experience. Players appreciate the variety of strategies and objectives available, ensuring that no two playthroughs are the same, although some express a desire for more playable factions. Overall, the replay value is considered immense, making it a standout title in the Total War series.

    • “No two playthroughs are the same; it always changes, which makes for unlimited replayability.”
    • “The replay value is insane.”
    • “It offers almost endless replayability, with or without mods, and has a unique place among the Total War series with its combination of gunpowder weapons, naval combat, and trans-continental scale.”
    • “These games are extremely fun from the get-go and then get a little stale as replayability loses appeal.”
    • “I love this game and play the campaigns a lot and it gives you a good challenge, but I just wish there were more playable factions.”
    • “Add more playable factions, better diplomacy (maybe a global balance of power system like Victoria 2) and this would be fantastic.”
  • story172 mentions

    The story aspect of the game receives mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the detailed single-player campaign, particularly the American Independence storyline, while others criticize the overall lack of depth and missions compared to previous titles in the series. Many users note that the grand campaign offers more engaging gameplay than the main story mode, which is often described as short and buggy. Overall, while there are elements of historical narrative, the game is seen as lacking a substantial overarching story.

    • “The main story mode is really detailed, but where the game shines is the grand campaign.”
    • “Starting with a compelling storyline based on historic events and stunning visual graphics, the Empire edition focuses on many of the American campaigns as well as others and brings an explosive force to the strategy table.”
    • “Empire: Total War is one of the best Total War games, no doubt. I love the storyline but also the more free play on this game too.”
    • “There is literally no story; you have to create your own or sustain yourself with the tactical aspect.”
    • “They threw in the American Revolution as a story point, but they didn't add any story into the campaign.”
    • “Though there are historical battles, there is no major story element to this game.”
  • optimization128 mentions

    The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with many players highlighting significant performance issues, particularly in multiplayer modes and on modern systems. While some users report smooth gameplay and minimal bugs, others experience lag, crashes, and slow menu navigation, indicating that the game's aging engine struggles to maintain performance. Overall, the consensus suggests that despite its potential, the game suffers from poor optimization that detracts from the overall experience.

    • “Game runs smoothly and seems to be bug-free.”
    • “Easy to use and runs smoothly.”
    • “It is optimized well and runs well on most computers I have tried.”
    • “The game and idea itself is quite good, but the functionality, performance, and controls are lacking, mostly in speed.”
    • “Performance decreases as this process goes on so it becomes a race against the game's dwindling frames-per-second to take the fort before the game becomes an unplayable slideshow.”
    • “Unfortunately the bugs and the poor optimizations ruined everything.”
  • music110 mentions

    The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players praising its classical elements and overall fit for the gameplay, while others criticize it as dull, repetitive, and lacking in period authenticity. Many express a desire for a remaster that includes more diverse and historically accurate soundtracks, particularly for battle scenes. Overall, while some enjoy the soundtrack, others find it underwhelming and suggest using mods for an improved musical experience.

    • “I enjoy the combat, the feel of it, and especially the music.”
    • “The music in this game is really good, I always find myself enjoying the loading screens because of the soundtracks; in my opinion, it's one of the most beautiful OSTs in the franchise.”
    • “I've always found the soundtrack during the campaign soothing and calm, and warlike during battles respectively.”
    • “A demented, hammered John Williams could've made better music than this.”
    • “The music in Empire Total War is pretty bland; the gameplay is boring.”
    • “Unmodded, the soundtrack is dull and repetitive.”
  • humor82 mentions

    The humor in the game is often described as a mix of absurdity and irony, with players finding amusement in glitches, unexpected AI behavior, and historical inaccuracies. Many reviews highlight the comedic value of gameplay failures and the ridiculousness of certain scenarios, such as units disappearing or soldiers behaving nonsensically. Overall, while the game has its flaws, players appreciate the humor that arises from these imperfections, making it a source of entertainment despite its shortcomings.

    • “I love how the campaign isn't as complex as some of the other Total War games (but if you're not like me and you're a pro, set it to very hard difficulty). Although Napoleon beats this game by a long shot, it is hilarious to see units disappearing and soldiers flying around the map.”
    • “Get any other Total War game, just not this one unless you want to spend more time laughing and watching enemy units do the stupidest things imaginable against your army as you effectively give up on tactics and just bumrush them because it's more convenient and takes less time - not like you'll lose any units anyway.”
    • “The AI hilariously runs in circles and refuses to attack you in battles.”
    • “There are every detail, forts, castles, naval battles (I don't enjoy it because it is not funny, but everybody except me found it funny), diplomatic relations, etc. But if you finish it single-player, multiplayer will be waiting for you, and believe me, it won't be easy against the computer.”
  • grinding74 mentions

    Reviews indicate that grinding in the game can be excessively tedious, particularly when managing large empires and engaging in battles, both land and naval. Players often feel overwhelmed by the manual unit replenishment and the slow pace of battles, leading to a sense of monotony. While some enjoy the depth of the campaign and the ability to shape their own path, many agree that the grinding aspect detracts from the overall enjoyment.

    • “In vanilla, the ship battles are more like Sid Meier's Pirates than realism, but at least they are not tedious.”
    • “It's sad as this game introduced many fun features that were stripped in later titles, and I really tried to like this game, but I just quickly got the feeling that I was just grinding the campaign map instead of fighting any meaningful battles.”
    • “You just don’t have the economy early game to combat this, and even if you send an army to deal with it, if you auto-resolve, the enemy army will just gain another shed load of movement points and retreat halfway across the map again, continuing the tedious chase.”
    • “The game's interface is not particularly attractive, and there is an intolerable wait between turns while we are made to sit through a tedious, unnecessarily long-winded graphic representation of what the rest of the world is doing for its turns.”
  • emotional22 mentions

    Players find "Empire: Total War" to be an emotionally charged experience, often describing it as heart-breaking and deeply immersive. The game evokes strong feelings through its portrayal of historical events, particularly the poignant moments of loss and the brutal realities of warfare, leading to a personal connection with the characters and their struggles. Many reviewers highlight the emotional weight of significant events, such as the death of a beloved general, which can elicit genuine tears and a sense of accomplishment.

    • “Absolutely heart-breaking.”
    • “That moment when your general who has conquered most of Europe and finally dies is heartbreaking, and you may shed a few tears.”
    • “Empire: Total War is the most emotional, connective, personal, grudging, and eventually, important Total War game to date.”
  • atmosphere20 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its immersive visuals and sound design that effectively bring the 18th-century world to life, making players feel like rulers and generals of the era. Many users express a deep appreciation for the historical ambiance, with some stating it enhances their overall gameplay experience and encourages repeated play. However, a few critiques mention that despite the strong atmosphere, the game's overall execution may leave something to be desired.

    • “The game's visuals and sound design contribute to its immersive atmosphere, bringing the 18th-century world to life.”
    • “Anyway, if you are keen on the atmosphere of the 18th century and would like to imagine yourself a ruler, general, and admiral of the Age of Enlightenment, this game will absorb you completely and give you real pleasure!”
    • “As much as I like its setting and atmosphere, I must admit it's poorly made.”
    • “This game really captures the atmosphere of the 1700s during the time when many European nations strived to colonize and expand their empires.”
    • “Anyway, if you are keen on the atmosphere of the 18th century and would like to imagine yourself a ruler, general, and admiral of the century of the Enlightenment, this game will absorb you completely and give you real pleasure!”
  • monetization10 mentions

    The monetization of the game has been criticized for relying heavily on ads and perceived cash grab tactics, particularly outside of the warpath campaign. While some users acknowledge that it isn't the worst example of exploitation, the overall sentiment suggests a lack of value and engagement, leading to a negative perception of its financial model.

    • “Other than the warpath campaign, there is no excuse for this obvious cash grab.”
    • “If you or a loved one has been exposed to a recent Steam advertisement for this game, please report it to the police because this game is as dead as a piece of software can get before it breaks a computer or destroys itself.”
    • “At least during this era, it wasn't an attempt to cash grab, which ruined the game; just inexperience with having factions of that era interact with one another.”
  • character development2 mentions

    Reviews indicate that character development is largely overlooked in favor of gameplay elements like battles and graphics, with some players finding traditional narrative aspects unimportant or distracting.

    • “Sprawling battles, stunning graphics, and nothing lame like 'plot' or 'character development' getting in the way.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
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Critic Reviews

88% average critic score

Buy Empire: Total War

Play time

130hMedian play time
257hAverage play time
65hMain story
99hCompletionist
30-362hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 108 analyzed playthroughs

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