Total War: Pharaoh

65%
Game Brain Score Based on 2,055 reviews
  • gameplay
  • graphics
  • optimization
Total War: Pharaoh Game Cover
Total War: PHARAOH is a smashing success as a grand strategy game and brings the hit franchise to a new historical era. Fascinating leaders and subplots with mechanics to match help make each play session fresh and enjoyable.
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"Total War: Pharaoh" is a historical strategy game set in ancient Egypt during the Bronze Age Collapse. Players can choose to lead Egypt as its Pharaoh, conquer as the Great King of the Hittites, or command the Sea Peoples' hordes. The game features dynamic real-time battles and turn-based empire management, with a focus on the dramatic events that threaten Egypt's destruction. Unearth a vibrant recreation of the Bronze Age Collapse and lead your faction to victory.

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Reviews

65%
Audience ScoreBased on 2,055 reviews
gameplay221 positive mentions
stability32 negative mentions
  • The game has beautiful graphics and a well-designed campaign map that immerses players in the Bronze Age setting.
  • The new mechanics, such as the court system and resource management, add depth and complexity to the gameplay.
  • The battles are engaging and require strategic thinking, with a focus on unit positioning and terrain.
  • The game feels limited in scope, with only a few factions and a small map compared to previous Total War titles.
  • The AI can be frustrating, often making illogical decisions and failing to provide a challenging experience.
  • Many players feel the game is a rehash of Total War: Troy, lacking originality and depth.
  • gameplay603 mentions

    The gameplay of Total War: Pharaoh has received mixed reviews, with some players praising its new mechanics, such as the court system and resource management, which add depth and variety to the campaign. However, many criticize the battle mechanics and AI, describing them as frustrating and unpolished, leading to a gameplay experience that can feel repetitive and lacking in strategic depth. Overall, while the game introduces interesting concepts, it struggles with execution, leaving some players feeling it is a rehash of previous titles like Troy rather than a significant evolution in the series.

    • “The mechanics are really fun and interesting, the races are all varied yet realistic, and the play style is really good for historical gameplay that can be compared to Total War: Warhammer 3.”
    • “The unit variety is incredible, the campaign gameplay is fun and engaging, and the battles feel absolutely incredible and have just the right pace to give room for tactical decisions.”
    • “The gameplay loop here is gossiping to learn what plots that person is doing or is a victim of, and you gain regard with them.”
    • “The mechanics feel uninspired, and the overall progression lacks depth.”
    • “The gameplay in Total War: Pharaoh is nothing short of boring.”
    • “The game fails to engage players in a meaningful way, with repetitive tasks and lackluster objectives that fail to capture the essence of strategic gameplay.”
  • graphics202 mentions

    The graphics of Total War: Pharaoh have received widespread acclaim for their stunning visuals, immersive atmosphere, and detailed art style, often described as the best in the series. While many players appreciate the vibrant and historically inspired aesthetics, some criticize the UI and certain graphical elements as cartoonish or lacking depth compared to previous titles. Overall, the game is noted for its impressive performance and optimization, allowing it to run smoothly even on mid-tier systems, though some users express disappointment with the gameplay mechanics and content relative to the graphical quality.

    • “The graphics are amazing, this is truly a beautiful game and easily outpaces any other Total War game I have played to date, this is true for both the campaign map, the UI, the battle maps and the units and weather effects as well.”
    • “The graphics are excellent, atmosphere of the game is very immersive.”
    • “The campaign map looks great and has the best fog of war graphic I have ever seen in a video game.”
    • “Even a dedicated gaming computer that runs Immortal Empires just fine will struggle to reach 15 fps on the lowest graphics settings.”
    • “I feel like developers got lazy with this one... it was released about 2 years after the release of WH3 and the graphics and mechanics seem to be buggy and outdated.”
    • “The game does indeed feel like Troy only in a different area of the map; however, my biggest complaint is that, like Troy, it feels more like watching a low-budget cartoon instead of playing a historical Total War title.”
  • optimization66 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players praising its smooth performance and stability, particularly on lower-end systems, while others report significant issues such as sluggish unit response, memory leaks, and performance degradation over time. Overall, it is considered one of the better-optimized entries in the Total War series, though some users still experience frustrating performance problems that can render the game unplayable after extended sessions.

    • “Overall a really fun, very fleshed out and super optimized game that will only get better once they add the family tree (for free!).”
    • “The game runs smoothly and flawlessly, a testament to the craftsmanship of the developers.”
    • “Having fun, best optimized Total War title in the series, run bar none too.”
    • “The game is unplayably poorly optimized.”
    • “I am struggling with performance issues so much that it's almost unplayable.”
    • “There is literally no reason for having to reduce settings from ultra, to high, to medium, and still have so many performance issues.”
  • replayability50 mentions

    The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with many players appreciating the unique mechanics and extensive campaign customization options that enhance replay value. However, some reviewers express disappointment over the limited number of playable factions and the similarity in gameplay experiences across multiple campaigns, which detracts from overall replayability. While the potential for varied playstyles exists, the lack of diverse factions and content leaves some feeling that the game falls short in this aspect compared to other titles in the Total War series.

    • “The ability to fully customize your campaign experience by tweaking both new and traditional features of Total War in general gives this quite a bit more replayability than it would appear.”
    • “These paths can focus towards warfare, nation building, religion (such as the custom god creation with Egypt mentioned before), etc. All of these improve replayability and give meaningful choices to your campaign.”
    • “Total War: Pharaoh is a good game; the ability to both customize the game rules and choose your faction mechanics is a great plus to its replay value.”
    • “The main issue is with replayability - most campaigns end up with you as the Egyptian or Hittite leader and using their unique units (instead of your faction's unique units).”
    • “In terms of value, this is the Total War game with the least amount of replayability so far.”
    • “This game isn't even replayable; all the factions are basically the same, using the exact same tech tree.”
  • music47 mentions

    The music in the game has received largely positive feedback, with many players praising its immersive quality and ability to enhance the atmosphere, particularly during battles. The blend of electric guitar and Mediterranean influences has been noted as a standout feature, contributing to a dynamic and engaging experience. However, some players feel the soundtrack is somewhat reserved compared to previous titles, with a few describing it as forgettable despite its overall quality.

    • “The music is beautiful and specific to the setting.”
    • “The graphics are great, the scenery gorgeous and authentic, music is good, sound effects are great, the battles are slower paced which I like.”
    • “It's a beautiful and crisp game, the art and UI are top notch, the audio design is fantastic, and the music is enthralling.”
    • “The music in this game is off the rails.”
    • “Dont buy it they are so far from the rome i loved its completely not worth it and some how i paid 30 bucks for a fucking soundtrack u guys need to sell that shooting game n come out with medival 3 or some kinda blessing to have me spend another dime on this bs if anything buy troy and be just as disappointed tried and still cant love it no matter how hard i try not the same.”
    • “The graphics, the campaign map, the sound design, the music, its all really well done, but unfortunately thats where it stops for me.”
  • story45 mentions

    The story aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players praising its immersive campaign mechanics and engaging Egyptian theme, while others criticize it for lacking depth and coherence. The court system and political intrigue add layers to the narrative, but many feel the overall storytelling is disconnected and underdeveloped. Despite its potential, the game is seen as a re-skin of previous titles, with calls for improved narrative integration and character development.

    • “The campaign is actually a pretty awesome story, and as long as you auto-resolve every battle, you will have no issue.”
    • “Its historical accuracy, immersive gameplay, and captivating storyline make it one of the best Total War games in recent years.”
    • “As a fan of ancient Egypt, the land of pharaohs and the story of their flashpoint at the end of the Bronze Age is super flavorful, and CA Sofia did a spot-on job representing the era and getting the flavor rounded out!”
    • “You are given a story, told to more or less follow it, and that story is inappropriately presented and it feels disconnected from the game...this must improve in the future.”
    • “The historical setting of ancient Egypt had the potential to introduce innovative mechanics, captivating storytelling, and strategic depth that could have set Pharaoh Total War apart from its predecessors.”
    • “Boring gameplay, boring & shallow mechanics, terrible story.”
  • stability38 mentions

    The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players praising its performance and minimal glitches compared to previous titles, while others report significant bugs, sluggish unit responses, and crashes, particularly in multiplayer modes. Many users express hope for future updates to address these issues, indicating that while the game runs well for some, it remains unoptimized and problematic for others. Overall, the consensus suggests that the game is less buggy than past releases but still requires substantial improvements.

    • “The game runs great, graphically it's beautiful, gameplay is really good and interesting.”
    • “Very well made game, very polished as they say, little to no glitches.”
    • “As a total war fan of almost 20 years, it feels like they finally got down the optimization and it runs great on my meh-tier PC.”
    • “I love the game, but it's buggy and hangs.”
    • “I want to like this game, but it just has audio lag, freezes on loading, and if you tab out, it's done.”
    • “The game needs updating badly, very buggy; you get confused on who is your faction in battles because they all look the same, very confusing gameplay compared to other titles.”
  • grinding23 mentions

    Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be excessively tedious and frustrating, with many citing the repetitive nature of resource management, army positioning, and court systems as major drawbacks. While some appreciate the strategic layers added by various mechanics, the overwhelming complexity and lack of engaging content lead to a sense of monotony, detracting from the overall enjoyment of the game.

    • “After an extremely brief stint of just 27 minutes, I made the decision to request a refund for this game, which I can only describe as a DLC for 'Total War: Troy.' The game is a tedious, uninspired addition to the Total War series, which seems to be on a downward spiral.”
    • “The court system, the building management, and the royal decree systems are the worst offenders here - it feels like everything is complicated and tedious without being engaging, like the developers just added features until it took players a certain amount of time per turn.”
    • “When you own 60+ territories and still must continue to constantly develop all of them to manage invasions from every direction, it just becomes tedious.”
  • atmosphere17 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its immersive quality, enhanced by excellent graphics, music, and well-designed battle maps. Players appreciate the detailed depiction of the ancient Middle East and the cultural elements that contribute to a rich, atmospheric experience, reminiscent of previous titles like Shogun 2. While some critiques mention inconsistencies in the battle weather system, the overall consensus highlights the game's ability to transport players into the historical setting of the late Bronze Age.

    • “Immersive atmosphere with excellent music and visuals.”
    • “Fantastic atmosphere of ancient Middle East!”
    • “The game does a great job of conveying the mood of the Bronze Age collapse through UI, dynamic visual effects, campaign events, music, and voice acting.”
    • “Again, the game is absolutely beautiful...but there is something to be said about dark battlefields of mud-soaked soldiers not benefiting from an atmosphere of bright and vibrant colors everywhere.”
    • “If you are actually interested in the late Bronze Age, particularly the approach to the Bronze Age collapse, 'Pharaoh' is loaded with atmosphere, cultural and religious tidbits, and aesthetic representations of a period that is otherwise fairly neglected in gaming.”
    • “It has atmosphere and immerses you into ancient Egypt.”
  • monetization11 mentions

    The monetization strategy of the game has been heavily criticized, with users labeling it as a cash grab that prioritizes profit over quality. Many feel that the game is unfinished and that microtransactions are exploitative, as they create problems only to sell solutions. Overall, players express disappointment in the game's potential being undermined by rushed development and poor monetization practices.

    • “The monetization model is fair and doesn't feel exploitative, allowing players to enjoy the game without feeling pressured to spend money.”
    • “I appreciate that the game offers cosmetic items that don't affect gameplay, making it easy to support the developers without compromising the experience.”
    • “The pricing for in-game purchases is reasonable, and I love that there are plenty of ways to earn currency through gameplay.”
    • “This game has a lot of potential that probably won't be met because CA/Sega started to love rushing and releasing unfinished games just to then drop them looking for another cheap cash grab.”
    • “2023 should have been one of the better years for game releases and instead it's been one ugly cash grab after another.”
    • “It feels like a sloppy project thrown together for a cash grab and I just can't do it anymore. Tried twice to get my money back before the 14 days and they denied my request.”
  • emotional5 mentions

    The emotional responses to the game are mixed; some players express disappointment and heartbreak over perceived poor quality and pricing, while others find a profound emotional narrative in the game's depiction of a world succumbing to chaos and destruction. This contrast highlights a divide in player experiences, with some feeling deeply connected to the game's themes and others feeling let down.

    • “It really is heart breaking.”
    • “Cannot recommend this game or this series anymore, which is heartbreaking to me.”
    • “For me, seeing this ancient world slowly (and literally!) disappear into darkness as countless invading hordes, famines, droughts, and unrest begin to destabilize the world was a wonderful and more emotionally narrative experience than I've had yet in a Total War title.”
  • character development5 mentions

    The character development in the game is praised for its depth and variety, allowing players to shape their faction leaders through numerous choices and mini-games, enhancing the overall experience. However, some reviewers feel that the character designs lack personality and purpose, suggesting a need for more skilled designers to elevate this aspect further. Overall, the game strikes a balance between simplicity and intricate character growth.

    • “Interesting character development with crowns and titles.”
    • “I think you guys have to hire some talented character designers and perhaps someone who actually knows how to create characters with personality and purpose.”
    • “The campaign is fun with the little mini-games such as the court, ambitions/objectives, and there's a sense of character development as you turn your faction leader into whatever you want with all the options and choices you are given.”
    • “Has some of the crispness and simplicity of the earlier games but with new levels of character development and unit idiosyncrasies.”
  • humor4 mentions

    The humor in the game is described as inconsistent, with some players finding moments of levity in the impressive cinematics, while others feel the overall tone is more serious and not particularly funny. Despite this, players appreciate the engaging gameplay and learning aspects, which can overshadow the lack of humor.

    • “The funny thing is that in my 9 hours, I had like 4 battles in total, because I'm enjoying every moment of learning about different benefits to buildings, factions, provinces, etc.”
    • “Impressive cinematics, sometimes funny, sometimes grim.”
    • “Laughing and singing.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

72% average critic score

Buy Total War: Pharaoh

Play time

17hMedian play time
51hAverage play time
2-51hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 26 analyzed playthroughs

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