Medieval II: Total War

80%
Game Brain Score Based on 12,781 reviews
  • graphics
  • gameplay
  • replayability
Medieval II: Total War Game Cover
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"Medieval II: Total War" is a real-time strategy game, offering both single-player and multiplayer options. Players command armies, expand reigns, and conquer cities across the Western and Middle Eastern world from 1080-1530 AD. The game features dynamic battles with thousands of troops, emphasizing warfare, religion, and politics during the Middle Ages' most turbulent era, including the Crusades, gunpowder's rise, and the discovery of the Americas.

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

Reviews

80%
Audience ScoreBased on 12,781 reviews
graphics241 positive mentions
stability93 negative mentions
  • graphics713 mentions

    The graphics of "Medieval II: Total War" are widely regarded as dated, reflecting its 2006 release, yet many players find them acceptable given the game's age. While some reviews highlight the visuals as a drawback, others appreciate the charm and detail that still hold up, especially with the support of mods that enhance the graphical experience. Overall, the consensus suggests that while the graphics may not compete with modern titles, they do not detract significantly from the game's engaging gameplay and historical immersion.

    • “The graphics are excellent for the age of the game, and are still impressive today in my opinion.”
    • “Surprised on how detailed and good this game is for a game from 2006; the graphics are way ahead of its time.”
    • “The graphics still hold up surprisingly well for a game that was almost released a decade ago, in large part because the spectacle is so based on the massive numbers in the armies instead of incredible detail on the individual units.”
    • “The graphics are old-fashioned, the gameplay is sometimes not super responsive, pathfinding is meh, and the diplomacy is a bit broken.”
    • “Its UI is god-awful, troops have horrible pathfinding, graphics are terrible without mods or reshade, and the camera is more like torture than anything else (even with free cam mod).”
    • “The graphics are dated, no doubt, and for some you might have to do the same trick for Rome to get the map speed from 'my potato just died' to 'hey this is pretty smooth'.”
  • gameplay678 mentions

    The gameplay of Medieval II: Total War is widely praised for its depth, strategic complexity, and engaging mechanics, offering players hundreds of hours of replayability through various factions and scenarios. While some users note that the graphics and certain mechanics feel dated, the overall experience is enhanced by a vibrant modding community that adds new content and fixes. Despite minor frustrations with AI pathfinding and diplomacy, the game is considered a classic in the Total War series, balancing turn-based strategy with real-time battles effectively.

    • “It can provide hundreds of hours of gameplay, each time showing new unique situations.”
    • “It's infinitely fun and replayable, great mechanics, plenty of mods...it's just good.”
    • “The gameplay, the setting, the size of the world to conquer, the variety and amount of different units.”
    • “The graphics are old-fashioned, the gameplay is sometimes not super responsive, pathfinding is meh, and the diplomacy is a bit broken.”
    • “The gameplay is mostly having a stronger force on paper as the auto-battle is much more efficient than actually fighting them.”
    • “The battle mechanics are fair, but pathfinding is definitely bothersome during sieges, player or AI.”
  • replayability173 mentions

    The game is widely praised for its exceptional replayability, with many users highlighting the vast array of mods and diverse factions that enhance the experience. Players report hundreds, if not thousands, of hours of gameplay, with each campaign offering unique challenges and strategies. Overall, it is considered one of the most replayable strategy games available, appealing to both casual and hardcore gamers alike.

    • “Underneath all of the eccentricities is one of the better RTS games of its time, and one that has absolutely endless replay value to it.”
    • “With mods, this is easily the most replayable and expansive strategy game ever made.”
    • “The modding community is quite vast and huge, they're still coming up with new and interesting mods, which makes the game replayable and holds its value even 16 years after its release.”
    • “There's little replay value after the first couple of hours.”
    • “Feel cheated due to lack of replayability, but I feel the experience is a net positive overall.”
    • “The only con is that only about five or six of the factions are playable from the beginning until one completes either the short or long campaign.”
  • music148 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its epic and immersive quality, enhancing the overall atmosphere and gameplay experience. Many reviewers highlight the soundtrack's ability to evoke strong emotions during battles and campaigns, with specific tracks being memorable and timeless. Overall, the music is considered one of the standout features of the game, contributing significantly to its nostalgic and engaging appeal.

    • “The closest description can be that my soul flew in the sky and I had the most beautiful experience of my life due to the beautiful atmosphere of the game and its pleasant music.”
    • “The music is fantastic and varies from faction to faction and region to region, which makes the whole world come alive and feel organic.”
    • “The soundtrack is amazing and the visuals hold up to the test of time.”
    • “The only thing I don't like about this game is the Danish having the Slavic soundtrack, since I know Scandinavian languages I'm just a bit disappointed about this; might have to learn to code to add a Danish language pack.”
    • “Its a good game and worth buying although I think that it has quite a boring and depressing atmosphere, especially with the music.”
    • “Also, the sound effects and music aren't playing on certain parts.”
  • story110 mentions

    The story aspect of the game is largely player-driven, with many reviewers noting that it lacks a traditional narrative but allows for personal storytelling through gameplay. While some appreciate the engaging missions and historical context, others find the grand campaign repetitive and uninspired, particularly in the late game. Overall, the game offers a framework for players to create their own stories, with varying degrees of satisfaction depending on individual play styles and expectations.

    • “One of my favorite games that I played when it originally released. It's fantastic to see it on Steam and great to see the franchise continuing. However, having played Rome and a few others, this storyline and time period are my favorite.”
    • “The story is what you make it, like all Total War games. This was one of the greatest games of its era and certainly the best strategy game.”
    • “Medieval 2 has the ability to tell a story like no other game I've ever played. Whether your king's son becomes a dreaded monster or a chivalric knight of the realm, it's all up to you and the way you play.”
    • “The grand campaign is boring beyond belief, late game is lackluster, and boils down to you forcibly having to enjoy getting punished by the pope's horrible mission choices, having every merchant you've ever bought be killed within a turn of being made, and having every neutral AI on the map attempt to lay siege to your cities.”
    • “This game has almost no story at all, despite my usual preference for games requiring narrative structure and plot direction.”
    • “The campaign mode has no story, like every other Total War game; based on the situation of your nation and other nations, plans and ambitions, you make your own story.”
  • stability101 mentions

    The game's stability is a significant concern among users, with many reporting frequent bugs, glitches, and crashes that can disrupt gameplay, particularly during campaigns and tutorials. While some players note that the game can still be enjoyable despite these issues, others express frustration over persistent freezing and pathfinding problems, especially in siege battles. Overall, the game is described as "buggy" and "clunky," with varying degrees of stability depending on individual experiences and system configurations.

    • “It runs great on computers new and old too, avoiding the problems of Rome: Total War.”
    • “The multiplayer is super fun, not too buggy.”
    • “It runs great with huge units, even on my terrible 250 dollar laptop.”
    • “The game became buggy and keeps freezing and also sometimes crashes.”
    • “I used to be able to play it and now my game freezes and crashes my computer every time I start it up.”
    • “Tutorial doesn't work and the game itself is so buggy and crashes so much it's ridiculous.”
  • humor43 mentions

    The humor in the game is widely praised, with players finding joy in its absurd scenarios, witty voice lines, and comical interactions between factions. Many highlight the hilarious pre-battle speeches and the amusing consequences of player choices, such as excommunication or unexpected invasions. Overall, the blend of dark humor and lighthearted banter contributes significantly to the game's charm and entertainment value.

    • “Watching little dudes fly through the air when a cannon blast hits them is funny.”
    • “Sometimes this game is hilarious; you can piss off the pope and get excommunicated (in which you'll get f'cked), you can have a merciless general that became a cuckold when his wife cheated on him.”
    • “Best in the Total War series with hilarious dialogue, great layout, and effects that are only slightly dated.”
    • “It's not funny anymore; all of your Total War games that I have are like this.”
    • “The humor feels forced and falls flat, making the experience less enjoyable.”
    • “I expected more clever jokes, but most of the humor is just repetitive and stale.”
  • optimization30 mentions

    The game's optimization is a mixed bag; while it runs smoothly on older machines and offers a fun experience, many users report significant performance issues, including crashes and lag, particularly in online modes. Some players suggest that the game is poorly optimized compared to newer titles, yet it still holds up well for its age, especially with the aid of mods. Overall, while it can be enjoyable, newcomers should be cautious about performance settings and potential bugs.

    • “And that is why I believe this game is the masterpiece of Total War, and truly deserves a remastery to optimize its performance on newer machines.”
    • “Optimization is fine for an older game and you'd be surprised how well it holds up compared to some of the newer Total War games.”
    • “It still looks great, runs smoothly even on old computers, the campaign is very interesting, and the online is my favorite part.”
    • “Good game, but terrible optimization that makes campaigns crash every few turns with 'unexpected errors'.”
    • “And since I bought this game merely to play online battles, bugs, insufficient optimization, and excessive amounts of lag literally ruin the whole experience.”
    • “They are poorly optimized and polished and serve only as cash cows for the developers to milk for a short time with DLCs that should have been included in the game from the beginning.”
  • grinding29 mentions

    Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be quite tedious, often describing it as repetitive and requiring excessive micromanagement, particularly in late-game scenarios. Many reviews highlight the lack of depth in gameplay, with battles becoming monotonous and the need for constant grinding to progress. While some appreciate the game's complexity and strategic elements, the overwhelming nature of the grinding can detract from the overall enjoyment.

    • “This game is amazing, one of the greatest games of the Total War franchise by far, bringing a huge amount of micromanagement (not too tedious) allowing you to command virtually every aspect of your chosen faction right down to choosing heirs to inherit your royal lineage.”
    • “Gameplay seems great at first, but there is 0 diplomacy; after a number of turns every AI faction will declare war on you and will never accept peace, making every campaign the same slog of constantly fighting enemy stacks. It's uninteresting, not fun, and very tedious.”
    • “Most battles follow a similar pattern, and you might fight 2 or 3 battles on every turn as the game progresses. Each battle takes a very long time, which meant I ended up letting the computer figure out who won most of the battles instead of watching the same old tedious process.”
    • “Unit recruitment is slow and can get tedious in long campaigns.”
  • atmosphere23 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and evocative qualities, enhanced by a captivating musical score and historically accurate sound effects. Players feel transported to a medieval world, experiencing a blend of beauty and grit that enriches both gameplay and storytelling. The combination of detailed graphics, engaging mechanics, and a strong sense of historical context contributes to an overall exceptional atmospheric experience.

    • “The closest description can be that my soul flew in the sky and I had the most beautiful experience of my life due to the beautiful atmosphere of the game and its pleasant music.”
    • “The game has a powerful atmosphere that is hard to detach from; moreover, it has a lot of historical facts right from historical events to army units.”
    • “The game's medieval atmosphere is further boosted by a provocative musical score, accurate sound effects, and nation-themed voice dialogue.”
    • “A new graphics engine replaced the 'technicolor' effect of Rome, doing justice to the metallic effect of armor and ever-sharpening detail; Medieval 2 appears darker, gritty, alongside a menacing atmosphere.”
    • “War gore-iness is dimmed by funny clips throughout the campaign and the medieval atmosphere just makes you feel like you're in the middle of those historical times of swords and fairy tales.”
  • emotional10 mentions

    Players find the emotional aspect of the game to be deeply engaging, particularly through the powerful feeling of commanding armies and the intense moments of battle that evoke a strong sense of immersion. The loss of beloved generals adds a poignant layer to the experience, fostering a connection that can lead to genuine emotional responses. However, frustrations with technical issues and controls can also lead to moments of anger, contrasting with the otherwise wholesome and heartwarming themes present in the game.

    • “I love the rhythmic drums when you're making your initial movements and then when you clash it gets intense and really makes you feel the emotional weight and immersion.”
    • “When generals inevitably die, in combat or of old age, it can be emotional, because you were there with them from the start, built them up from nothing, and watched them conquer, only to have to watch them die.”
    • “A heartwarming game that teaches you that a few very special individuals are a lot better than hordes of the same type of boring civilian people.”
  • monetization9 mentions

    The monetization strategy of the game has drawn significant criticism, with players expressing frustration over the prevalence of microtransactions, DLCs, and perceived cash grabs that detract from the overall experience. Many feel that the game has shifted from a passion-driven project to a profit-focused model, leading to a lack of quality and support for modding. However, some players appreciate that certain factions can still be unlocked through gameplay rather than purchases, contrasting it with other titles in the series.

    • “Medieval 2 Total War reeks of Creative Assembly's past passion for the genre and their games, before waves of DLC entered the fray and corrupted its newly released games with microtransactions for stuff that should already be in the game.”
    • “If the day ever comes when Medieval 3 comes out, and it isn't plagued by microtransactions or loot boxes, I will probably love it more than this one.”
    • “Look how they massacred my boy, turning the new ones into a glorified Clash of Clans game; they are selling us cheats and faction unlocks on top of bare-bones DLCs and microtransactions.”
    • “Look how they massacred my boy, turning the new ones into a glorified Clash of Clans game. They are selling us cheats and faction unlocks on top of bare-bones DLCs and microtransactions.”
    • “Medieval 2: Total War reeks of Creative Assembly's past passion for the genre and their games, before waves of DLC entered the fray and corrupted its newly released games with microtransactions for stuff that should already be in the game.”
    • “This game is nothing more than a cash grab, a definitive edition that changes nothing, fixes nothing, and runs terribly on high-end computers.”
  • character development2 mentions

    Character development in the game is highly praised, with users noting the depth and appeal of the characters' traits and speeches, making it stand out among other titles. One user expressed a strong emotional connection to a character, wishing for their ascension to a significant role, highlighting the game's ability to foster attachment and investment in its characters.

    • “General speeches, character development, and traits are so engaging that no other two games come even close.”
    • “Character development - I wish Ayyub could be sultan; I love him :'(”
    • “Character development - I wish Ayyub could be sultan. I love him :'(”
    • “General speeches, character development, and traits are just so tasty that no other game comes even close.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

90% average critic score

Buy Medieval II: Total War

Play time

175hMedian play time
386hAverage play time
31hMain story
132hCompletionist
50-573hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 65 analyzed playthroughs

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