Total War: WARHAMMER II

A maximalist sequel that improves on almost every aspect of the first game.

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"Total War: Warhammer II" is a fantasy real-time strategy game with turn-based campaign and real-time battles. Choose from four factions, engage in statecraft, diplomacy, and exploration to build your empire. Experience a deep and engaging campaign with high replayability and multiplayer options. However, the game has some bugs and may require grinding. The game features stunning graphics, epic soundtrack, and humor, making it a highly emotional and atmospheric experience.

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Reviews

86%

Audience ScoreBased on 48,044 reviews

gameplay1,148 positive mentions

stability191 negative mentions

gameplay
3,715 mentions
31 % positive mentions
66 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Total War: Warhammer II" is widely praised for its depth and variety, with each faction offering unique mechanics that significantly alter playstyles and strategies. Players appreciate the blend of turn-based campaign management and real-time battles, which are enhanced by the addition of magic and diverse unit types. However, some criticisms arise regarding the balance of certain mechanics, the AI's performance, and the reliance on DLC for a complete experience, leading to mixed feelings about the overall gameplay experience.
- “The engine is the best in the franchise, the unit roster and legendary lords are well designed, the gameplay is addictive and the game races are unique and fun to play and learn.”
- “Each faction has its own unique gameplay mechanics that make them feel unique.”
- “The sheer variety of gameplay is immense, every single faction is different and feels unique in all its ways, from the battlefield, to economy and politics.”
- “Sadly, it represents the end of historical games from CA, and in order to appeal to a larger, mainstream audience, they have prioritized arcade gameplay and cinematics over strategy and fair simulation.”
- “Gameplay is full of BS; campaign movement indicators say you have enough movement points to complete an attack, and then when you confirm movement, now you're just short to complete this turn. Friendly + enemy reinforcements spawn in weird places, dumb AI, supply line mechanics, and anti-player bias pretty much force you to doomstack and cheese your way through a campaign.”
- “The vortex campaign is a decent idea, but for me personally, it had too many annoying mechanics and wasn't that much fun.”
replayability
1,427 mentions
52 % positive mentions
47 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The replayability of Total War: Warhammer II is widely praised, with many players highlighting its nearly infinite replay value due to the vast array of unique factions, each with distinct mechanics and playstyles. The game's extensive DLC offerings and strong modding community further enhance its replayability, allowing for countless hours of varied gameplay. Overall, players consistently report that the game's depth and diversity make it one of the most replayable titles in the Total War series.
- “The replayability is endless and each campaign feels way more alive and vibrant.”
- “Moreover, the sheer amount of free DLC available for this game promises tons of hours in replayability along with the mods.”
- “With over a dozen playable factions, counting the first game and DLCs, each having an incredibly unique and fun playstyle, replay value is simply through the roof.”
- “The game has a lot of replayability and if you really played all the campaigns you still have a plethora of mods at your disposal. One big downside of the game is the DLCs, for some factions/races you really need the DLC.”
- “While the gameplay itself is always the same, a top-down strategy with empire management and real-time battles, you can find countless hours of replayability in the form of all the different factions and play-styles available to you.”
- “The replayability is simply immense, and if you add mods to all the more fun.”
graphics
1,389 mentions
56 % positive mentions
41 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The graphics of Total War: Warhammer II have received widespread acclaim for their stunning visuals and attention to detail, with many players praising the vibrant art style and intricate unit designs. While the game demands a powerful PC to run at high settings, those who can meet the requirements are treated to breathtaking battle scenes and beautifully rendered campaign maps. However, some users have noted performance issues and graphical glitches, particularly on lower-end systems, which can detract from the overall experience.
- “The graphics are incredible, they truly are a sight to see and watch in battle.”
- “The graphics are fantastic with the magic effects being a standout for me.”
- “The graphics are stunning, there are a ton of great maps, and the mechanics of the game all work well.”
- “Game still looks like hammered shit; its LOD is entirely broken, with the vast majority of models reverting straight to potato mode graphics when you move more than 10 feet away from them. This issue has been going on for the entire year without a meaningful fix; this is pathetic.”
- “I can play much older Total War games on higher settings with much better graphics.”
- “The graphics are... they're terrible.”
story
1,009 mentions
32 % positive mentions
64 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The story in "Total War: Warhammer II" is generally praised for its depth and engagement, with many players appreciating the unique narratives tied to each faction, particularly in the Vortex campaign. While some find the overarching plot to be somewhat generic or lacking in originality, the integration of lore and character-driven quests adds a rich layer to the gameplay experience. However, there are critiques regarding the clarity of the story and its connection to gameplay, with some players feeling that the narrative can feel secondary to the strategic elements of the game.
- “Amazing lore-rich background and plenty of different story playthroughs with multiple options to play your own way.”
- “The story is enormous and the map is ridiculously large.”
- “The vortex campaign is a story-driven narrative campaign that will give you an ultimate objective to achieve, usually within a soft hidden time limit.”
- “The storyline makes no sense and feels like it was added as an afterthought.”
- “The story unfortunately falls down a bit in connecting with the actual gameplay, as the only actual interaction you have with the story is a set of pre-made missions.”
- “There's no interesting storytelling or any particular depth or challenge, and other than the occasional touch of flavor, every campaign quickly ends up feeling the same through repetitive actions and tedious, shallow strategy.”
optimization
406 mentions
24 % positive mentions
54 % neutral mentions
21 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players noting significant performance issues, particularly during large battles and on the campaign map. While some users report improvements and smoother gameplay compared to previous titles, others experience severe lag and stuttering even on high-end PCs. Overall, the game appears to require further optimization to fully address these performance concerns, despite being more stable than earlier entries in the series.
- “Lots of new content has come out (some free, most paid) and regular patches with bug fixes, performance improvements, and balance changes.”
- “This game is incredibly well optimized.”
- “The game runs smoothly and it's very well optimized (90 fps+, all on ultra, on a gtx 1070, 16gb ram, i7 7700).”
- “The performance is very bad but the game itself is very fun.”
- “Completely unplayable, extreme lagging and stuttering even with my above average PC, but I still have extreme problems with lag.”
- “The big issue of this game - poor optimization, it's really bad, much worse than in the first game.”
stability
224 mentions
14 % positive mentions
1 % neutral mentions
85 % negative mentions
The stability of the game has been widely criticized, with numerous players reporting frequent glitches, crashes, and freezes that significantly hinder gameplay. While some users have experienced minimal issues, the overall consensus indicates that the game is plagued by bugs, particularly in multiplayer and during specific campaign scenarios, making it frustratingly unstable for many. Despite its potential and engaging content, the persistent technical problems detract from the overall enjoyment and playability of the game.
- “In my time playing, I have encountered slim to no glitches and have had very fun gameplay experiences.”
- “When compared to older Total War games, I also found this one to be almost completely bug-free, and since Warhammer 2, I have yet to quit a grand campaign due to any bug or technical problems.”
- “Sega/CA have finally managed to release a well-polished and almost bug-free Total War game for the first time in a very long time.”
- “The only problem is that the blood DLC glitches out the game and makes it really hard to play.”
- “This game is a buggy money grab.”
- “The game is just extremely buggy, mostly unplayable, crashes just so often that you would wish you never spent the money on this.”
music
204 mentions
55 % positive mentions
43 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received a mixed reception, with many praising its atmospheric qualities and dynamic soundtracks that enhance gameplay, particularly during battles. While some players find the music to be epic and fitting for the game's fantasy setting, others feel it lacks memorability and could benefit from more variety. Overall, the soundtrack is generally regarded as solid, contributing positively to the immersive experience, though some critiques suggest it doesn't reach the heights of other iconic game soundtracks.
- “The music is beautiful and creates wonderful atmospheres, the aesthetics are gorgeous, and the gameplay is consistently gripping.”
- “The dynamic soundtracks consistently manage to pump up the tension at just the right pace, while being subtle enough to not be distracting.”
- “The music is fantastic and I feel an improvement on the first game.”
- “The only thing I am not a big fan of is the music.”
- “Tw Warhammer's music is just a soulless orchestra, the kind you hear all the time in every western fantasy RPG.”
- “The graphics and music are uninspired, and the story and characters are non-existent, and while there is 'lore', it’s only effective after being invested into a game, not helping a player get invested to begin with.”
grinding
197 mentions
2 % positive mentions
10 % neutral mentions
88 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game has received significant criticism, with many players finding the late-game campaigns to be excessively tedious and drawn out. Players report that sieges and resource management can become monotonous, often leading to a feeling of mindless repetition rather than engaging strategy. While some enjoy the depth and complexity, the overall sentiment leans towards the experience being a long, grindy slog, particularly in the later stages of campaigns.
- “A bit grindy sometimes.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “A tiny bit grindy sometimes.”
- “I don't know how CA managed to make conquering the world as a horde of insane monster men into the most tedious experience in gaming, but it's certainly an impressive feat.”
- “The late stages of the campaign are incredibly dull, as you often reach a point where victory is all but entirely assured and you are merely going through the tedious process of filling out the last points on your victory checklist.”
- “The vortex campaign is fun the first time through, but once you understand the mechanics behind it, the fun factor quickly dissipates and the whole thing becomes tedious rather than strategic.”
humor
138 mentions
99 % positive mentions
-1 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The humor in "Total War: Warhammer II" is widely praised for its light-hearted and often absurd elements, particularly through the quirky characterizations of factions like the Skaven and Lizardmen, who are described as "funny rat guys" and "funny dinosaur guys." Players enjoy the over-the-top voice acting and comedic scenarios that arise during battles, contributing to a unique blend of dark humor and fantasy lore that enhances the overall gameplay experience. While some find the humor to be a delightful aspect of the game, others note that it can sometimes be overshadowed by gameplay frustrations.
- “Engaging, challenging, fun and often very very funny - Brian Blessed is great as Gotrek "squeaky bum time!" Goblins chanting "stab stab stab!"”
- “The game is full of light humor and awesome fantasy lore.”
- “The characters all have over-the-top voice acting that fits perfectly into such a self-serious setting, and the pre-rendered cutscenes vary from cheesy and funny to very grounded and immersive.”
- “Funny enough, I think the one that bugs me the most is the in-game music.”
- “The jokes feel forced and often miss the mark, making the humor fall flat.”
- “I expected a lot more laughs, but the humor is mostly cringeworthy.”
monetization
97 mentions
3 % positive mentions
15 % neutral mentions
81 % negative mentions
The monetization model of the game has been widely criticized as a blatant cash grab, with many players expressing frustration over intrusive ads, microtransactions, and content locked behind paywalls. Despite the game's solid mechanics, the aggressive monetization tactics, including large updates that primarily add advertisements and remove features, have soured the experience for many users. Overall, while some players still enjoy the game, they recommend caution regarding its monetization practices and suggest waiting for sales to avoid excessive spending.
- “The downside is that the best units are from microtransactions, but most of them are worth the money.”
- “Aside from the relentless microtransactions, it's a fun game if you're willing to shell out $130+ bucks.”
- “Can we all just appreciate for a moment that a triple A PC game launches in 2017 with no day one DLC or microtransactions.”
- “It is really a cash grab and there is very little integrity in the business model for the game, but that doesn't mean the game isn't solid.”
- “If a game is still full price after five years and has most of its content locked behind microtransactions, something is seriously wrong.”
- “The monetization for this game isn't okay; it's bad.”
atmosphere
67 mentions
64 % positive mentions
31 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its rich, immersive qualities, enhanced by stunning visuals, detailed sound design, and a deep connection to Warhammer lore. Players appreciate the diverse settings and unique factions, which contribute to a captivating experience that feels both fresh and true to the source material. Overall, the game's atmosphere is considered one of its standout features, providing a compelling backdrop for strategic gameplay and engaging battles.
- “There is everything you need - a deep lore, the overall atmosphere of the game, the sounds, voices, music, plenty of diversity, and what's also important - it grows and expands all the time - I hope it never stops.”
- “Playing this is a feast for the soul (whether you side with chaos or not!) the music is beautiful, and creates wonderful atmospheres, the aesthetics are gorgeous, and the gameplay is consistently gripping.”
- “The atmosphere of the Warhammer world is also very well done with great visuals, sound effects, and voice acting.”
- “Not to mention that the high speed gives you zero time to appreciate the atmosphere of the battle - further reducing immersion.”
- “The atmosphere of Warhammer Fantasy is still there; however, it is not as dark as it was in the first game, which is intended due to the new region with jungles and cold ones - Warhammer's dinosaurs.”
- “The universe is handled very well, and you should end up feeling a sort of Lord of the Rings atmosphere... but one in which you can literally field steam tanks to destroy daemon-crazed vikings riding giant mutant mammoths.”
emotional
33 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Players express a strong emotional connection to the game, highlighting moments of joy, heartbreak, and nostalgia tied to their experiences and the lore. The dynamic music and customizable characters enhance the emotional stakes of battles, while the depth and variety of gameplay foster memorable campaigns. Despite some frustrations with game mechanics, the overall sentiment reflects a deep appreciation for the emotional engagement the game offers.
- “Losing a lord to an attack is heartbreaking.”
- “Deploying your armies, marching into battle, and winning or losing battles will change the music dynamically, creating a desirable emotional effect.”
- “Great game, have some hours in it and can say I personally love it, love the magic, the flavor in units, the heroes. Since I was a kid I loved Warhammer and the Total War series, so when the first game came out I cried. I loved the first, love this one even more, and I know I'm going to adore the third one.”
character development
13 mentions
62 % positive mentions
23 % neutral mentions
15 % negative mentions
Character development in the game receives mixed reviews, with some praising the unique character design and compelling stories set in a rich lore, while others find it lacking depth and engagement. Players appreciate the integration of RPG elements and strategic gameplay, but some criticize the character development as dull and simplistic, particularly in the absence of a more structured narrative or campaign progression. Overall, the character design is noted as visually appealing, though opinions vary on the effectiveness of character growth throughout the game.
- “It is like the best parts about Heroes of Might and Magic II mixed with some really great technical battles and the character development of an RPG.”
- “Strategy, character development, compelling stories, a grim dark setting in the Warhammer universe.”
- “Fantastic quests, character development, storyline, and plenty of strategy to work your brain!”
- “Character development is dull; the game is easy to cheese without levels anyways.”
- “In my opinion, despite having random lore texts and battles, it still lacks a story mode with time settings, cutscenes and dialogues, character development, and campaign endings/outcomes.”