Total War: PHARAOH DYNASTIES

87%
Game Brain Score Based on 3,122 reviews
  • gameplay
  • graphics
  • music
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"Total War: PHARAOH DYNASTIES" expands the campaign map from Ancient Egypt to Mesopotamia and the Aegean, adding new factions, settlements, and victory objectives. The new Dynasty system lets you start a family tree, navigating strategic marriages, deaths, and assassinations while dealing with mortality. Sea travel lanes have been added for faster fleet movement, enabling raids and invasions to reach further and faster.

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Reviews

87%
Audience ScoreBased on 3,122 reviews
gameplay174 positive mentions
grinding22 negative mentions
  • The Dynasties update has transformed Pharaoh into a fully fleshed-out historical Total War game, offering a massive map and diverse factions.
  • The new mechanics, such as the lethality system and resource management, add depth and strategy to both battles and the campaign.
  • The game features beautiful graphics and a rich atmosphere, immersing players in the Bronze Age setting.
  • The AI remains problematic, often making poor tactical decisions and failing to utilize its armies effectively.
  • The court system and some mechanics feel underdeveloped and can become tedious over time.
  • There are still bugs and performance issues, particularly with memory leaks and crashes during longer play sessions.
  • gameplay515 mentions

    The gameplay of Total War: Pharaoh has received mixed reviews, with many praising the depth and variety of new mechanics, such as the lethality system and intricate campaign features like court politics and resource management. However, players have expressed frustration with persistent issues like troop pathfinding, AI behavior, and the overwhelming number of mechanics that can detract from the overall experience. Despite these criticisms, the game is noted for its engaging battles and immersive historical setting, making it a significant improvement over its predecessor, Troy.

    • “The combination of campaign map mechanics, along with interesting tactical options during land battles make this one of the most enjoyable Total War games.”
    • “The new mechanics, particularly around diplomacy and internal politics, add layers of depth that keep each campaign fresh and engaging.”
    • “Each faction is brought to life with unique units, technologies, and cultural traits, providing a rich and varied gameplay experience.”
    • “I played a few factions, but kept finding myself overwhelmed by mechanics I couldn't really understand combined with an aggressive AI despite any difficulty setting.”
    • “The battles are bland and awful, the gameplay is dry and somehow feels dated even when compared to older games in the series.”
    • “There are mechanics to simulate factions trying to grab for the head of whichever court you are a part of, for example the high king's court for the Hittites, which is a lot of busywork for no satisfying gameplay or benefits.”
  • graphics148 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim for their beauty and detail, with many reviewers praising the stunning artwork and immersive environments. While the visuals are generally considered top-notch and well-optimized, some players noted issues with performance and minor bugs, suggesting that further polishing is needed. Overall, the graphics are seen as a significant highlight, contributing to an engaging gameplay experience.

    • “Graphics are incredible and run as well as Rome 2 does for me - great software design, I guess, or just the advancement of game development.”
    • “Epic scale, great graphics (though a bit unoptimized as of right now), lots and lots of content and more coming in the future through mods.”
    • “Pharaoh-dynasties is very polished, the battles are a huge improvement compared to Troy (though still not as good as Attila), and the game visuals are gorgeous!”
    • “Graphics frankly have not improved since Rome II (though optimization has!), and the battles have continued the modern trend of dumbed down arcade mechanics from Warhammer where every unit feels like wet noodles.”
    • “Somehow with this game's graphics engine, even seeing units on the battlefield gives you eyestrain; they just sort of fade into the terrain at a distance.”
    • “The aesthetics and designs of the units are just awful; given any actual independent design freedom beyond directly copying Osprey uniform books just always leads to the most godawful looking designs.”
  • music55 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its immersive quality and regional diversity, enhancing the overall gameplay experience. Many players appreciate the incorporation of tracks from previous Total War titles, which adds a nostalgic touch, while the original compositions are praised for their ability to evoke the game's historical setting. Overall, the soundtrack is considered one of the standout features, contributing significantly to the game's aesthetic and emotional depth.

    • “The soundtrack and visuals deserve a special mention too—both are top-notch and really help immerse you in the world of ancient Egypt.”
    • “One of the most mechanically interesting Total War games to date, one of the more historically flavorful, and that's all garnished with some of the finest sounds, music, and visuals of any Total War ever.”
    • “All in all, the music is fantastic, the map is beautiful, and various factions are unique.”
    • “I own all the Total War series (including DLCs) since Rome, and I noticed the soundtrack in these games is getting worse with every game (perhaps Jeff van Dyck raised the bar too high).”
    • “The music is okay, not the best.”
    • “A few great improvements over the original, this is a small ask though: can we please get that one soundtrack added back to the zoomed out view of the map/royal decrees window?”
  • optimization48 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization has received mixed feedback; while many players report good performance and scalability, some experience crashes and memory leaks after extended play. Graphics are generally praised, though some feel they haven't significantly improved since previous titles. Despite some performance issues, the game is considered well-optimized for high-end setups, with many players enjoying smooth gameplay compared to earlier Total War titles.

    • “From the campaign layer, to the battle layer, to the fantastic performance (for a Total War game), everything has exceeded my expectations.”
    • “Game is very well optimized (running 4K with max graphics on a 3070, smooth), has an abundance of comprehensible features even if they take some getting used to, and the time period in general is very interesting, made better by the fact that they've actually added in more distinct cultures.”
    • “Performance, graphics, and audio are all top notch, just as it was with Troy.”
    • “I have a very high-performance PC setup and I have never made it more than 15 minutes into this game without a crash.”
    • “So after playing this game for a few hours, I'm appalled that it hasn't been optimized for PC (it's the only platform).”
    • “There is some sort of memory leak or performance issue that is causing excessive lag after a few hours of play.”
  • replayability46 mentions

    The game boasts exceptional replayability, driven by its diverse factions, unique cultural mechanics, and community-driven content such as mods and custom scenarios. Players appreciate the freedom in nation development and the variety of gameplay experiences offered by different legacies and minor factions. While some players feel it may not match the endless replayability of other titles in the series, the overall consensus is that it provides a rich and engaging experience with significant replay value.

    • “Choosing which gods/goddesses to worship also adds an extra layer which leads to a unique game experience and replayability.”
    • “Both the new major and minor factions bring a lot of replayability, plus all of the mods coming over from (legacy) Pharaoh and Troy.”
    • “I am on my second dynasty playthrough and though I am having fun, this does not have the same endless replayability for me as other Total War titles, especially Warhammer.”
    • “Seems to have a strong foundation for replayability and if we're lucky enough to have the wonderful modders from the other games in the series work their magic a bit here, there is so much potential.”
    • “The community-driven content, including mods and custom scenarios, further extends the game's replayability, ensuring that no two campaigns are ever the same.”
  • story24 mentions

    The game's story is characterized by a rich tapestry of court intrigue, allowing players to engage in blackmail, conspiracy, and power struggles to gain favor with the pharaoh and amass wealth. While it offers an open sandbox for emergent storytelling reminiscent of previous Total War titles, some players feel that the overarching plot is overshadowed by gameplay mechanics and recurring issues from earlier games. Overall, it presents a classic redemption narrative for the franchise, though it may lack a cohesive big-picture storyline.

    • “What CA has done with Pharaoh is a classic redemption story, and one with a magnificent bronze ending.”
    • “This is the kind of emergent storytelling that used to exist in Rome/medieval Total War.”
    • “With each culture, you get certain ancient legacies that come with it - these are basically long-form side quests or features unique to you throughout the rest of your game.”
    • “I get that that happened historically, but if I populate my court with my closest allies and they continue to try and assassinate, discredit, and plot against me, what's the point?”
    • “Instead of getting story objectives, you can just toy around with your tools in an open sandbox of opportunities and make your own story.”
    • “Now a little plot twist: every single problem in this game has been in virtually all the preceding Total War games.”
  • grinding22 mentions

    Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be excessively tedious and boring, with many mechanics feeling like busy work that detracts from the fun. While some appreciate the multilayered systems and potential bonuses from careful management, the overwhelming amount of micromanagement and repetitive tasks leads to frustration and a lack of engagement.

    • “The mechanics being vomited all over the player are tedious busy work designed by people who are constantly asking the question, 'does this function make their game/faction/character unique?' Instead, they should have been asking the question, 'does this function make all the above fun?'”
    • “The campaign map is extremely tedious and you have to excessively micromanage to get the results you want.”
    • “The campaign, although somewhat nice at first, becomes tedious and boring extremely quickly.”
  • stability18 mentions

    The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting persistent bugs and glitches that have plagued the series since earlier titles, particularly after reaching later turns in campaigns. While some users note that certain aspects of the game are relatively stable, the overall experience is marred by frequent freezes and performance issues, leading to calls for significant improvements from the developers to enhance playability.

    • “Another good aspect of the game is that it seems quite bug-free and stable.”
    • “The game starts being laggy and buggy after turn 70-80, like the original Pharaoh, and I need to re-open the game every 15 turns to continue my campaign.”
    • “It's the same glitches and bugs since Empire: Total War days.”
    • “But if it is an unplayable buggy mess, then it'll never be worth the money.”
  • atmosphere15 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its beauty and depth, with a refreshing art style that effectively captures an apocalyptic setting. Players appreciate the rich flavor and strategic engagement it offers, reminiscent of older titles in the series, while the presence of mythology and spirituality enhances the immersive experience. Overall, the game successfully combines varied factions, cultures, and mechanics to create a compelling and atmospheric gameplay environment.

    • “It has an amazing atmosphere, and for the first time since Attila, I find myself thinking about strategies and my next moves in the campaign even when I'm away from the keyboard.”
    • “Though it is fast-paced, it suits this timeframe somehow. All in all, it is a solid game with depth, atmosphere, and tons of variations throughout the game map, with different factions, cultures, and strategic challenges combined with deeper economy, better diplomacy, and religious lore.”
    • “The art style is refreshing, and the apocalyptic atmosphere was nailed, slowly growing more gritty as the end times draw near.”
    • “Though it is fast-paced, it suits this timeframe somehow, but it could have been a little slower. All in all, it is a solid game with depth, atmosphere, and tons of variations throughout the game map, with different factions, cultures, and strategic challenges combined with deeper economy, better diplomacy, and religious lore. The gods feel present in the lives of the Bronze Age people, and the mythology and spirituality seep through, like they would back then.”
    • “It brings back the atmosphere and excitement of the older games.”
  • humor10 mentions

    The humor in the game is described as a mix of cringe-worthy moments and absurd scenarios, such as armies rushing two units and fighting with straw boats, which some players find amusing. While the intro is noted for being particularly cringy yet funny, the overall comedic elements seem to be hit-or-miss, with some players appreciating the humor while others find it lacking in comparison to other titles.

    • “However, they concentrate with everything they have; the whole army rushes your two units, which is hilarious for 2024. They always kept units in reserve, but not anymore.”
    • “And fight with straw boats because it sounds funny.”
    • “Also, the intro to the game is super cringe but funny.”
    • “Good news: the game has better performance than Troy: Total War. The bad news is: the game has much worse performance than Warhammer III... this is not funny, really.”
  • emotional8 mentions

    Players express strong emotional frustration regarding the game's mechanics, particularly the unrealistic behavior of chariot horses during combat, which they find disappointing and disheartening. Additionally, the excessive camera movements contribute to a sense of nausea and wasted time, further detracting from the overall experience.

    • “If that is really the case, it is heartbreaking.”
  • monetization6 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game has been criticized as a cash grab, with many reviewers feeling that it offers little new content compared to its predecessor, Pharaoh. Users express disappointment in the lack of meaningful changes and the overall quality, suggesting that the game prioritizes profit over innovation.

    • “This is probably my least favorite Total War release that I own, which feels more like a cash grab by Creative Assembly. The animations are terrible, such as the archers on walls.”
    • “Nothing meaningful changed from Pharaoh; if you liked Pharaoh, you will like this. If you didn't like Pharaoh, you won't like it. It's the same game, just a cash grab for anyone.”
    • “Please make more of them at this scale and stop with the cash grab sagas!”
  • character development4 mentions

    Character development in the game is highlighted through well-designed characters and engaging cut scenes, particularly in the Blood & Sand DLC, which enhances the overall experience. While some players appreciate the depth given to generals and ancillary characters, others find it to be somewhat exaggerated. Overall, the visual appeal complements the character arcs effectively.

    • “The game features great character designs and well-done cut scenes that enhance the overall experience.”
    • “I appreciate the character development of the generals and some ancillary characters, adding depth to the story.”
    • “The post-battle duel animations are impressive and contribute to the immersive character development.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

31hMedian play time
659hAverage play time
18-100hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 18 analyzed playthroughs

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