Total War Saga: Thrones of Britannia

Anglo-Saxons, Gaelic clans and Viking settlers battle for Brittania and the glory of forging a great empire. A change from the usual Total War games but a potential gateway to newcomers.

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"Total War Saga: Thrones of Britannia" is a strategy game set in 878 AD Britain. The Steel and Statecraft update enhances the political aspect of the game with a new Political Difficulty option and revised political events, while an Estates Overhaul aims to improve the management challenges of ruling a kingdom. Players can customize their experience to enjoy political intrigue or focus on other aspects of gameplay.

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Reviews

63%

Audience ScoreBased on 13,301 reviews

gameplay740 positive mentions

grinding176 negative mentions

gameplay
2,820 mentions
26 % positive mentions
66 % neutral mentions
8 % negative mentions
The gameplay in "Total War: Thrones of Britannia" has received mixed reviews, with players noting a blend of innovative mechanics and frustrating limitations. Many appreciate the introduction of food and supply systems, as well as unique faction mechanics that add depth and strategy, while others criticize the lack of garrisons in minor settlements and the tediousness of managing loyalty and resources. Overall, the game is seen as a streamlined experience compared to previous titles, appealing to newcomers but potentially disappointing for long-time fans seeking the complexity of earlier entries in the series.
- “The tactical gameplay is very refined compared to its predecessors (Rome 2, Attila) and I consider it to be the epitome of what a modern Total War title can offer in terms of unit combat.”
- “The campaign mechanics are fun and each faction feels different; the levy, supply, and food system makes it so you can't just steamroll everyone after 20 turns in the campaign and you actually have to plan out campaigns.”
- “The new recruitment system where you have to keep track of food to maintain armies along with other new mechanics including a unique mechanic for each faction have really made the campaign much more interesting.”
- “The recruitment mechanic (troops get recruited with 20% their numbers and get replenished over time as if they've taken casualties) has made the game unplayable.”
- “The campaign overall is frustrating and outright tedious, with civil wars being a constant headache and an overall lack of depth, content and an additional long list of poorly thought out campaign mechanics.”
- “The mechanics are simplistic and boring and you'll spend your entire game pushing arbitrary buttons trying to deal with it.”
graphics
1,250 mentions
46 % positive mentions
49 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The graphics in "Total War: Thrones of Britannia" have received a mixed reception, with many praising the stunning visuals, detailed artwork, and improved performance compared to previous titles like "Attila." Players appreciate the unique art style that reflects the historical period, although some criticize the lack of unit diversity and the cartoonish aesthetic. Overall, while the graphics are generally considered beautiful and immersive, opinions vary on their effectiveness in enhancing gameplay.
- “The graphics are absolutely stunning, and the physics engine in battle matches it.”
- “The graphics look great on ultra settings, the battle gameplay has many new aspects and is very cool.”
- “The graphics are beautiful, the AI is smarter than it has been.”
- “The graphics are terrible for a game in 2018, even at ultra/4k settings.”
- “The graphics are even worse than older games and it feels off.”
- “The devs screwed the pooch on this one, the graphics in my opinion are sub-par.”
story
418 mentions
26 % positive mentions
67 % neutral mentions
8 % negative mentions
The story aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the rich, faction-specific narratives and dynamic quests that enhance gameplay, while others criticize the overall lack of depth and coherence in the storyline. Many feel that the missions can be repetitive or poorly designed, leading to a sense of frustration, especially when they fail to register or provide meaningful engagement. Overall, while the historical context and immersive elements are praised, there is a consensus that the storytelling could benefit from more polish and variety to elevate the experience.
- “I enjoy the storyline and Celtic-style campaign graphics.”
- “A Total War title that can be conquered more quickly, but with a rich and focused story.”
- “The historical immersion is good and I loved uniting the Saxons as Alfred the Great with some great battles and story mechanics.”
- “The game feels a bit unpolished due to the story ending in Britannia... this could have been so much larger.”
- “The storyline needs a bit of attention since this is about historic figures and what has happened to the pre-battle speeches.”
- “There is no story substance that I want to tie myself to; the fighting is super boring, and the whole idea of raiding feels of little consequence.”
optimization
326 mentions
36 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
14 % negative mentions
Overall, the optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players noting significant improvements over its predecessor, *Total War: Attila*. While some users report smooth performance and good graphics even on mid-range systems, others experience stuttering and performance issues, particularly during late-game scenarios or large battles. Despite these inconsistencies, many agree that it is one of the better-optimized entries in the *Total War* series, with ongoing updates improving stability and performance.
- “The game seems to be very well optimized, offering very good graphics and visuals while running quite smoothly.”
- “This was one of the most polished and optimized Total War games ever, second only to Shogun 2.”
- “The game runs extremely smoothly with great optimization.”
- “What I hate about this game is that it's an unoptimized piece of shit and still got sent to be sold.”
- “The performance is horrible, it crashes every other turn, which makes every round into a gamble, whether it will start the next turn, or simply die trying, (and let me tell you, it dies a lot.)”
- “With poor optimization and the tiny scope and simplified mechanics, I can't recommend it.”
music
286 mentions
64 % positive mentions
35 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread praise for its atmospheric quality and historical accuracy, enhancing the overall experience with a mix of orchestral and folk elements that fit the medieval setting. Many players find the soundtrack to be immersive and evocative, particularly during battles, although some critiques mention a lack of variety compared to previous titles in the series. Overall, the music is considered a strong point, contributing significantly to the game's ambiance and enjoyment.
- “The music is awesome, I think it's the best we have from any Total War game to date.”
- “The music and atmospheric feel to the game is just superb; CA have hit the nail square on the head with this, the music is great.”
- “The soundtrack is awesome; I love the artwork and the slow progression of time gives me great immersion, since I have the time to get used to the characters.”
- “This one is as creatively bankrupt as rap music.”
- “Music is dire.”
- “Even the music is copy-pasted from previous games, just because 'it fits'.”
replayability
194 mentions
19 % positive mentions
70 % neutral mentions
11 % negative mentions
The replayability of this Total War title is a mixed bag, with many players noting a significant lack of depth and diversity compared to other entries in the series. While some appreciate the unique factions and immersive setting, the limited number of playable factions and repetitive gameplay mechanics lead to a consensus that replay value is generally low. Players suggest that mods can enhance the experience, but overall, the game is seen as less replayable than its predecessors, making it more suitable for newcomers rather than veterans seeking extensive replayability.
- “Replay value is high with the amount of factions you can play with.”
- “The lords and factions have enough variety and uniqueness to demand replayability.”
- “Fun game with tons of replayability.”
- “It's a pretty solid Total War game, albeit very much a 'saga' title - meaning it has a very specific focus, and so not much longevity or replayability.”
- “Compared to other Total War titles, I feel it has a serious lack of replayability, lack of depth in story and campaigns, not to mention the random various crashes.”
- “Each faction is almost identical to each other, so the replayability is almost nil.”
grinding
184 mentions
2 % positive mentions
2 % neutral mentions
96 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game has been widely criticized for being excessively tedious and time-consuming, with many players feeling that it detracts from the overall enjoyment. Reviewers noted that the slow pacing, cumbersome management mechanics, and repetitive battles lead to a frustrating gameplay loop where progress feels minimal. While some appreciated certain new mechanics, the consensus is that the game often devolves into a grind that can be both boring and infuriating.
- “Brittania introduces new gameplay mechanics, but unlike the new mechanics in Empire, they are not tedious and distracting.”
- “You can't build a large enough army to meaningfully contend with your neighbors because you need a massive food surplus in order to support a large army; every unit requires 10 food just to exist, meaning you need a food surplus of more than 200 to support just one full-stack army, while the AI factions just walk around with full-stack armies all the time even if they've only got a couple of settlements with no farming or fishing improvements to speak of.”
- “I would love to see this economic/political system, maybe with a touch more to do, but not tedious maintenance every turn, in a Rome 3 or Shogun 3.”
- “It makes an already tedious game even more tedious and for no reason.”
- “The campaign overall is frustrating and outright tedious, with civil wars being a constant headache and an overall lack of depth, content and an additional long list of poorly thought out campaign mechanics.”
- “It is a tedious, micro-heavy slog that simply isn't much fun.”
stability
150 mentions
17 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
83 % negative mentions
The game's stability has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant bugs and glitches that detract from the overall experience. Common issues include AI pathfinding errors, crashes, and problems with siege mechanics, leading some to describe it as a "buggy mess." However, a few players noted that they encountered minimal issues, suggesting that experiences may vary based on individual setups and play styles.
- “I have played several Total War games over the years, and this is the first one where I find the UI of the campaign to be easy to understand and not buggy.”
- “It runs great on my rig; so far, I noticed only one minor bug during battle.”
- “Really enjoying it... runs great, no major bugs that I came across.”
- “Buggy, crash-filled experience.”
- “This game is too buggy.”
- “Buggy as f#%* could have been really good but it feels unfinished, rushed, and broken.”
atmosphere
102 mentions
71 % positive mentions
26 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its authenticity and immersive qualities, effectively capturing the early medieval British setting through outstanding art direction, evocative music, and detailed sound design. Reviewers note that the atmospheric battles, along with the game's visual and graphical presentation, enhance the overall experience, making it feel polished and engaging. Many comparisons are drawn to previous Total War titles, highlighting a strong thematic consistency that resonates well with fans of the historical genre.
- “The atmosphere and art direction are outstanding to depict the time period; the music and the stained-glass UI art really make it feel at home.”
- “The music and atmospheric feel to the game is just superb; they have hit the nail square on the head with this, the music is great.”
- “To fans of the time period: this game really nails the medieval British atmosphere, and it's probably worth buying at full price if you really like the setting.”
- “It's a great game but the stuff they did very well like the art style and atmosphere are spoiled by the smaller more annoying things.”
- “Come on, thinking that a mob of god fearing peasants would instantly flip over without a fight the second my smelly cousin walks in kind of ruins the atmosphere of the game.”
- “Atmosphere of ship battles is good but very buggy at times.”
monetization
58 mentions
2 % positive mentions
5 % neutral mentions
93 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game has been overwhelmingly criticized as a blatant cash grab, with many reviewers expressing disappointment in the perceived lack of effort and innovation from the developers. Players feel that the game is a re-skinned version of previous titles, prioritizing profit over quality, and while some acknowledge minor redeeming qualities, the consensus is that it is not worth the full price. Overall, the sentiment reflects a growing frustration with the game's monetization practices and a call for more genuine development efforts.
- “Some playability issues during multiplayer and very few microtransactions, but they can easily be ignored.”
- “This game will probably get 20ish hours from me if it's lucky and I will never play it again... I really hate to say it but this is nothing more than a cash grab by CA / Sega.”
- “Very disappointed in the Total War cash grab scheme.”
- “Creative Assembly is now EA in my eyes because their policies have turned to greed and microtransactions everywhere.”
humor
40 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is often derived from its quirky art style, amusing unit names, and the absurdities of gameplay, such as AI mishaps and unexpected character behaviors. Players find enjoyment in the comedic elements of multiplayer interactions and the humorous voice work, particularly resonating with British players who appreciate the funny place names and army titles. Overall, while some aspects may be unintentionally funny, they contribute to a lighthearted experience that enhances the game's charm.
- “I don't get the negative reviews, this game is funny, the setting is beautiful and interesting, and the mechanics are interesting.”
- “Which in some cases even gives you bonuses, etc. The army names are hilarious things like 'the swine array' or 'Odin's huge sack' (I made that last one up-- but you can change any army name!).”
- “A single stack enemy general unit (of 12 men) can conquer half your kingdom if left unchecked, which is hilarious.”
character development
22 mentions
27 % positive mentions
55 % neutral mentions
18 % negative mentions
Character development in the game has received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the loyalty system and faction-specific missions, while others criticize it for lacking depth and immersion compared to titles like Crusader Kings, Shogun 2, and Attila. Many feel that the character development mechanics are basic and uninspired, particularly in family dynamics and overall engagement, leading to a less satisfying experience. Overall, while there are elements of character development present, they are often seen as constrained and not fully realized.
- “Good graphics and character development and interaction with events - the loyalty system makes the game feel a little more realistic.”
- “You can pay more attention to character development, building infrastructure, and arranging beneficial marriages.”
- “+ character development and faction-specific missions.”
- “Character development, loyalty, and estate mechanics are terrible, just terrible.”
- “Character development is also constrained and, frankly speaking, boring.”
- “This game offers no depth, no character development, no immersion.”
emotional
20 mentions
90 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
10 % negative mentions
Reviews highlight a mixed emotional experience with the game, where some players appreciate the potential for deep emotional investment through character interactions and historical context, while others feel disconnected and frustrated by gameplay mechanics that hinder engagement. The lack of meaningful political intrigue and the inability to form strong connections with troops contribute to a sense of disappointment, leading some to express regret over their purchase. Overall, the emotional depth varies significantly among players, with some finding it lacking and others recognizing its potential.
- “Watching your leaders have children, your allies rise and fall, and your enemies interact really makes for an emotional investment that's hard to find in other games.”
- “I wasted 40 euros on this and I cried about it every day.”
- “Touching on an intriguing period of history, the invasion of Britannia by the Scandinavians in the 9th century.”