Napoleon: Total War Game Cover
Napoleon adds enough new content to make it a worthy addition to your Total War collection.
Starting at $6.68Buy now

Napoleon: Total War Definitive Edition is a strategy game that allows you to experience the Peninsular Campaign from 1811-1814. Choose between France, Great Britain, or Spain and lead your campaign across a new independent map with 32 controllable regions. This edition includes all DLC and feature updates, adding new units, battles, and campaigns to provide hundreds of hours of gameplay. History is yours to shape in this definitive edition.

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Windows

Reviews

76%
Audience ScoreBased on 8,864 reviews
graphics233 positive mentions
stability111 negative mentions
  • graphics459 mentions

    The graphics of "Napoleon: Total War" have received mixed reviews, with many players noting that while they have aged, they still hold up reasonably well for a game released in 2010. Some praise the visuals for their detail and atmospheric effects, particularly during battles, while others criticize the reliance on outdated 2D sprites and occasional graphical glitches. Overall, the game is seen as a significant improvement over its predecessor, "Empire: Total War," but players recommend using mods for enhanced graphics and performance.

    • “The graphics are astonishing.”
    • “The visuals and audio design create an immersive atmosphere, making you feel like you're right in the midst of the Napoleonic Wars.”
    • “Amazing graphics - considering it was created in 2010, it's stunning!”
    • “The graphics have dated poorly, with a heavy reliance on 2D sprites that pop in noticeably, while the 3D animations are stilted and weird, especially during melee and when 40 cavalry reload their guns in perfect synchrony.”
    • “It's frustrating that a common bug around graphics settings requires a manual fix for a game this mature.”
    • “The graphics are not quite up to modern standards; however, they have somewhat stood the test of time.”
  • gameplay396 mentions

    The gameplay of "Napoleon: Total War" is generally praised for its refined mechanics and engaging tactical battles, offering a more polished experience compared to its predecessor, "Empire: Total War." While some players appreciate the historical accuracy and immersive campaigns, others criticize certain gameplay choices and AI limitations that can detract from the overall experience. Despite its smaller scope, the game is considered a solid entry in the Total War series, particularly for fans of the Napoleonic era, with many recommending mods to enhance gameplay further.

    • “While there are minor improvements that could enhance gameplay, the game's overall brilliance in historical accuracy, immersive campaigns, and strategic depth make it a must-play for strategy enthusiasts and history buffs alike.”
    • “The tactical battles are the heart and soul of the game, and the level of detail given to the units, terrain, and combat mechanics is remarkable.”
    • “The sheer specificity and versatility, packed with mostly realistic mechanics in battles, as well as the ability to learn a bit about how the world functions and how the geopolitical landscape may have looked like in the era the game is set in while playing the campaign... it is one of if not the most future-proof and brilliantly made games ever made.”
    • “The game has obnoxious mechanics that make for trash gameplay.”
    • “However, there are gameplay additions that are half-baked and badly implemented.”
    • “Most importantly, however, the gameplay mechanics are deeply broken.”
  • stability114 mentions

    The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with many users reporting frequent bugs and glitches that can disrupt gameplay, particularly in multiplayer modes. While some players note improvements over previous titles like Empire: Total War, issues such as random freezes, audio glitches, and unresponsive units remain prevalent. Overall, while the game is enjoyable, its stability is often compromised by these technical problems, leading to a less polished experience.

    • “Not buggy at all.”
    • “The game itself is crisp and clean and relatively bug free, and local multiplayer games have been a blast.”
    • “This game is cool; line battles are cinematic, as are naval battles. It's not that buggy, just a little glitchy at some points.”
    • “Multiplayer for me at least glitches whenever I attempt to join a game with my friend, gives an error message in a decently well-connected part of the United States.”
    • “The game freezes continually for many users - many (at least 10%) have the issue of freezing during sea battles.”
    • “Too buggy, having constant crashes and annoying sound glitches.”
  • story91 mentions

    The story aspect of the game is generally well-received, with many players appreciating its focus on Napoleon's historical campaigns and the immersive storytelling that enhances the gameplay experience. While some find the narrative engaging and well-researched, others criticize it for being slow-paced or lacking in replayability. Overall, the game is noted for its decent storyline that serves as a good introduction to the Total War series, despite some historical inaccuracies and limitations in campaign structure.

    • “The different campaign options, the historical accuracy, and the storytelling are top notch.”
    • “This game is one of the best I have played; it has a good storyline and you will understand it even if you know little about the Napoleonic Wars.”
    • “The story is treated with massive respect.”
    • “Here though there is no unity or grand story... it's just fragments here and there presented in some ill-conceived kind of timeline format.”
    • “It is a shame the main campaign is more story driven and that the open campaigns are also fairly limited as it gives the game a feel of an expansion or DLC for Empire: Total War.”
  • music66 mentions

    The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with many praising its epic and atmospheric qualities that enhance the overall experience, while others find it dull or gloomy, lacking the uplifting elements they desired. The soundtrack is noted for its fitting classical themes and attention to detail, such as the inclusion of marching music, but some players feel it doesn't fully capture the spirit of the Napoleonic era. Overall, while the music contributes significantly to the game's immersive quality, opinions vary on its effectiveness and enjoyment.

    • “The music is great and the small details that you see here and there such as the drummers, whistlers, bugle men, and flag bearers marching about makes this game feel alive.”
    • “Incredible game; the music and voice acting is among the best I've ever experienced at setting the mood and tone - only Diablo 2 is better.”
    • “The soundtrack is great, providing an amazing feeling as you conquer the theatres that Napoleon had... cut down to size.”
    • “The soundtracks are a bit on the gloomy side – not exactly uplifting.”
    • “I get it's a Napoleon game, but a bit more positive music wouldn't hurt.”
    • “The soundtrack is really dull and ruins the game.”
  • replayability57 mentions

    The game's replayability is a mixed bag; while many players appreciate the depth and variety offered by mods and DLCs, the limited number of playable factions significantly restricts replay value for others. Some users highlight the enjoyment of different tactics and campaigns, suggesting that with the right modifications, the game can provide endless replayability. However, the consensus indicates that the lack of faction diversity and certain gameplay limitations detract from its overall replayability.

    • “It also has a lot of replayability in terms of different tactics for campaigns or just battling in general.”
    • “An excellent game with an enormous amount of replayability, especially if you go chasing Steam achievements!”
    • “You can also play the game now as almost any nation state of the Napoleonic age, which enhances replayability enormously.”
    • “I don't hate it completely... you can get a fun campaign in, but because there are only 4 factions in the whole game, there isn't much replay value at all.”
    • “The game and mechanics are well made, but the lack of factions to play in the campaign really limits replayability.”
    • “Choosing between 4 countries to play as makes the game less replayable, unlike other Total War games.”
  • optimization30 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization is a mixed bag; while many players report smooth performance on lower-end systems and improved stability compared to its predecessor, some users experience significant issues, particularly on high-performance setups and during campaign map navigation. The game is generally praised for its ability to handle large armies and battles effectively, but persistent bugs and pathfinding problems detract from the experience for some players. Despite these drawbacks, many find the game to be a well-optimized and enjoyable experience overall.

    • “I can't find any other game that has better optimization for such massive armies.”
    • “The strategic and tactical gameplay is far more optimized and stable, the graphics are somewhat improved and the overall experience is better (especially with modifications).”
    • “The units feel smoother, the game seems more optimized, and for the most part, it is historically accurate.”
    • “I am not recommending this game purely based on performance.”
    • “Serious performance issues as in other Total War titles, this one particularly stops me from continuing to play the game.”
    • “Poor pathfinding, badly optimized maps, and half a dozen other fundamental bits feel completely adrift here.”
  • humor29 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by its playful and absurd elements, such as exaggerated character traits and comical scenarios, like a short French man conquering Europe and humorous in-game dialogues. Players find joy in the game's quirky mechanics and glitches, often leading to hilarious moments during battles, especially when playing with friends. Overall, the humor adds a lighthearted touch to the gameplay experience, making it both entertaining and memorable.

    • “Real chads roleplay as the funny French man himself and purposefully lose that campaign once they get to Russia.”
    • “The filler arc with the hot air balloon was freaking hilarious, especially when it kept getting deployed in the middle of the battlefields.”
    • “Funny warm game, get a friend that's just as dumb as you and do a battle with only tanks; it will legit be the most fun you've ever had.”
  • grinding21 mentions

    Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and frustrating, with many citing slow and clunky combat, chaotic battles, and cumbersome management systems as significant drawbacks. The ship-to-ship battles are particularly criticized for being painful to learn and unresponsive, contributing to a general sense of dullness. While some players appreciate the casual gameplay, the overwhelming sentiment is that the game requires excessive grinding, making it a less enjoyable experience.

    • “However, TW: Napoleon suffers from tedious management issues, chaotic battles, and a general dullness that is hard to endure for long.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “Although the main problem with this game and most of their other games is that when you're not in a battle, it is kind of tedious to build and research.”
  • atmosphere17 mentions

    The atmosphere in "Napoleon: Total War" is widely praised for its immersive qualities, enhanced by stellar audio design, beautiful graphics, and a compelling soundtrack that captures the essence of the Napoleonic Wars. While some players find the campaign atmosphere lacking, the overall experience, particularly during battles, is described as engaging and atmospheric, making it a standout title in the Total War series. The game's ability to evoke a historical ambiance, combined with visual and mechanical improvements, contributes to its reputation as one of the most atmospheric entries in the franchise.

    • “The visuals and audio design create an immersive atmosphere, making you feel like you're right in the midst of the Napoleonic Wars.”
    • “One of the most atmospheric Total War games I have played, with a stellar soundtrack, wonderful art style, and beautiful graphics. Napoleon: Total War is a must-play for any fan of the franchise.”
    • “The atmosphere of battle is outstanding...”
    • “The battles are fantastic, but the campaign atmosphere is so bad that I don't enjoy playing the game at all.”
    • “Empire doesn't have the polish nor the atmosphere.”
    • “Multiplayer has an atmosphere feeling about it.”
  • emotional6 mentions

    Players express a deep emotional connection to the game, with some experiencing intense feelings of sadness and frustration due to technical issues that hindered their enjoyment. The game's narrative, particularly the Waterloo finale, evokes strong emotional responses, with players reporting moments of tears and heartbreak. Overall, the emotional impact of the game is significant, highlighting both the joy it brings and the sorrow when expectations are unmet.

    • “As for the Waterloo finale... man, that cannon ending is heartbreaking.”
    • “- Old but still visually stunning, I cried about twice playing this.”
    • “I cried for hours because I loved this game so much. It was one of my favorite games, and now one of my dream games is destroyed. If anyone knows how to fix it, please tell me; I need to hear Napoleon.”
  • character development1 mentions

    While the game features realistic character designs that enhance the gameplay experience, the reviews do not specifically address character development, focusing instead on gameplay enjoyment and sound quality.

  • monetization1 mentions

    The monetization strategy has been criticized as a cash grab, particularly due to the separate sale of DLCs, which many users feel undermines the value of the game.

    • “Selling DLC separately was just a cash grab all this time.”
    • “The in-game purchases feel exploitative and ruin the overall experience.”
    • “It's frustrating to see essential content locked behind a paywall.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
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Buy Napoleon: Total War

Play time

76hMedian play time
150hAverage play time
29hMain story
81hCompletionist
37-270hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 24 analyzed playthroughs

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