Empire: Total War

Total PC Gaming (10 out of 10)

You simply cannot allow yourself to miss Empire, because right now, strategy gaming doesn’t get any better than this.

GameSpy ( )

Ultimately, though, the problems with the naval game aren't enough to dampen my enthusiasm. Both halves of Empire: Total War do the series proud and will have gamers happily whiling away the hours trying out conquer the 18th century. More important, the simplified interface elements, great campaign, and much-improved map and information screens make this the most accessible Total War yet, and a great place for those unfamiliar with the series to get started. Creative Assembly has once again proven its reputation is well-deserved, and Empire: Total War is a game that belongs in any strategy gamer's library.

AusGamers (9.6 out of 10)

As it stands, Empire: Total War is an amazing achievement. It feels like the natural progression of years of accumulated cutting-edge technology and gameplay. It definitely deserves your attention, with Creative Assembly cementing themselves as a developer at the forefront of large scale RTS and simulation gaming.

3D Juegos (9.5 out of 10)

Empire es la nueva joya de la corona Total War. Si alguien desea conocer la definición de la palabra estrategia en los videojuegos debería consultar primero con Creative Assembly para saber lo que este equipo británico tiene que decir al respecto. Mezclando con inusual habilidad estrategia por turnos y táctica en tiempo real, la nueva entrega de la saga aporta suficientes novedades como para tenerlo una vez más como uno de los mejores RTS de los últimos años. Empire es un gigantesco y asombroso monumento a uno de los siglos más convulsos de la historia del ser humano: El XVIII.

IGN UK (9.5 out of 10)

Despite a few minor chinks in its armour, Empire: Total War is an improvement over Medieval II in every conceivable way. Its campaign is larger, more tactical and engaging, while the improved AI ensures that real-time battles and siege warfare are more challenging and thrilling than in any previous Total War installment. Add the excellent 3D real-time naval warfare into the equation and you’re left with a game so accomplished and magnificent in scope that it deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as the greatest names in gaming history.

Vgames (95 out of 100)

לא משנה אם אתם חובבי אסטרטגיה מהסוג שאוהב מפות רחבות-ידיים ומשחקיות איטית ומחושבת בנסיון להשתלט על העולם, מהסוג שמחפש קרבות מלאי אקשן ומרובי חיילים, או מהסוג שמעוניין בעלילה סוחפת ובאווירה היסטורית: ב-אמפייר: טוטאל וור אתם תמצאו את כל מה שאתם מחפשים ויותר, במשחק עם היקף קולוסאלי, שיתן לכם שעות ארוכות של הנאה. בראבו !

Good Game (9.5 out of 10)

In times like these, with a global financial crisis, people turn to entertainment options that give good value. And this is a game where you'll set up an empire the sun never sets on, only to look out the window and see the sun rising. I'm giving it a 9.5.

Multiplayer.it (9.5 out of 10)

Empire: Total War è un gioco che qualunque appassionato di strategia (ma non solo!) deve avere nella sua collezione. Creative Assembly non solo ha ripreso tutti i migliori elementi della saga Total War, ma ha pensato bene di aggiungerne di nuovi e di apportare delle modifiche che, siamo sicuri, tutti gli appassionati apprezzeranno. Questo nuovo capitolo, per via del cambio di epoca, ha introdotto novità interessanti che hanno aumentato la profondità strategica e tattica, richiedendo al giocatore una maggiore e più meticolosa gestione di ciascun elemento del suo impero. Se escludiamo un livello di difficoltà troppo basso, che siamo certi verrà risolto con le prime patch, il gioco promette di essere lo strategico più divertente di questo 2009 appena iniziato. Non perdetevelo per nessuna ragione.

IGN (9.5 out of 10)

Empire: Total War is a masterful combination of all the things that I love about strategy games -- a great setting, a first-rate presentation, tactics that reward maneuver, and a strategic layer that requires flexibility in your plans. The 18th century is a perfect setting for the game design, and the new naval battles, while a tad clunky, finally deliver the series' one missing component. The new strategic options are nicely balanced by increased convenience and legibility across the map. True, the end game still drags a bit and there are some small, rough edges in the tactical battles, particularly at sea, but none of those errors compromise the incredible amount of fun you'll have developing your infrastructure, forging alliances and leading your forces into battle.

Gameplanet (9.5 out of 10)

The interdependence of strategy and military is what makes the Total War series so appealing, even to armchair pundits with remarkably different tastes. Civilization fans will love the overview and the minute attention to every conceivable detail; table-top Generals will froth at the mouth and yell "charge!" at each cannon volley, likely prompting concerned glances from anyone in the vicinity. But for a game to appeal at such a level to so many, and to bring a remarkable period of time to life in such a brilliant and capable way - that's the true sign of quality. Sure, there are flaws - I'm not a fan of the loading times - but there's no problem that couldn't be addressed with a patch or two, and for the most part this is a game that will rate amongst the very best of 2009.

Game Informer Magazine (9.5 out of 10)

To say Empire: Total War is a deep experience is an understatement. The latest game in the famed strategy series combines thrilling real-time battles with turn-based 4X empire building and outshines its predecessors in every possible way. The studious attention to historical detail, ambitious web of political intrigue, and spectacular battles place this game in the pantheon of strategy greats alongside Civilization and Age of Empires.

Computer and Video Games (CVG) (9.4 out of 10)

There's a piece of page furniture in PC Gamer reviews that often goes unnoticed. It's the 'Must Buy' badge. Some assume that we give it to high scoring games automatically, but it's not so. A game could be a high scoring instance of a ludicrously niche genre that only a handful of people will ever get a kick out of, and therefore would not earn the Must Buy. Occasionally though, we give a high score to an instance of a ludicrously niche genre that everyone will get a kick out of. That's precisely why Empire: Total War gets a Must Buy award.

NZGamer (9.3 out of 10)

Empire: Total War offers so much gameplay, and such good gameplay, that it is really a must-buy for every little general out there. I eagerly await the full campaign multiplayer which has been promised as part of a future patch!

4Players.de (92 out of 100)

Ich will euch ja nicht Angst und Bange machen, aber Empire: Total War ist ein gigantisches Biest von einem Strategiespiel, ein Zeit- und Beziehungskiller ersten Grades. Wer sich einmal in seine epischen Fänge begibt, wird nicht mehr so schnell aus dem unnachgiebigen Rundengriff heraus finden. Vor allem für jene, die auch nur einen Hauch von Interesse für das Zeitalter der Preußen und Musketen haben, öffnet sich Pandoras militärhistorische Box. Ja, die Ladezeiten nerven. Ja, es gibt immer noch unsinnige KI-Manöver und kleine Fehlerchen - aber alles en detail. Und selbst wenn die Kontraliste da unten zu voll für Platin scheint: Wenn ein Entwickler ein dermaßen großes Spektrum anbietet, bleibt das nicht aus. Die ausgezeichnete Leistung besteht darin, dass die Briten ein überaus komplexes Spiel alter Schule weiter verfeinert haben. Brettspielflair und Echtzeitkrieg wurden noch nie so faszinierend zusammen geführt wie in diesem Epos.

Vandal Online (9.2 out of 10)

En definitiva, pocos peros se le pueden poner a este nuevo juego de estrategia de The Creative Assembly que vuelve a convertirse en uno de los principales exponentes del género de la estrategia en el mundo de los compatibles. No por nada, estamos ante un título sobresaliente en todos sus apartados, uno de esos juegos que se disfrutan de principio a fin del que difícilmente te podrás despegar en meses. Resulta tópico afirmarlo, pero verdaderamente The Creative Assembly se ha superado a sí misma; Empire: Total War es una de esas obras maestras que ningún aficionado a los videojuegos debería dejar escapar.

Gamers.at (92 out of 100)

Keine andere Spielreihe hat sich den Leitsatz "Mit der Zeit gehen" so zu Herzen genommen wie die Total War-Franchise. Nach Antike und Mittelalter geht es in Empire wieder einen großen Sprung in der Menschheitsgeschichte nach vorne, in das Zeitalter von Entdeckungen, industrieller Revolution, zahlreicher militärischer Auseinandersetzungen und des radikalen Denkens - in die Epoche des 18. Jahrhunderts.

PC Format (UK) (92 out of 100)

These are relatively minor niggles in the shadow of this colossus of a game. The challenges presented by the Grand Campaign firmly establish Empire as the stuff of legend: it’s far-reaching, truly massive and utterly engrossing. Once more, CA has refused to rest upon its laurels, creating one hell of a time-filching game; expect some late nights and cancelled social engagements once Empire hits your hard drive.

Fragland.net (91 out of 100)

There is so much more to be said (on for instance the extensive multiplayer possibilities, the options to set op skirmish games yourself, the historical missions and all new details like trade and diplomacy, or the possibility to dual with certain characters). Empire: Total War , however, is a total package that will appeal to both the general as the prime minister in you, that's both accessibly as infinitely deep, and that contains more content and replayability than half of all your games together. If Gears 2 is a reason to buy and Xbox360, or Killzone 2 makes you want to have a PS3, then this stragegy game is definitely a reason to put together a hi-end game pc. A beast of a game with plenty of unfinished edges and details which easily disappear in the grandure, depth and immersion of the gameplay. Buy it!

1UP (A-)

Empire overreaches in parts, but I suppose that's the price of ambition. It will get even more ambitious once Creative Assembly adds the promised multiplayer campaign mode. But Empire's lumbering remoteness says something about the age it portrays: a century of mass armies and big ideas, the Wealth of Nations and age of steam. For all its problems, it's undoubtedly progress.

TotalVideoGames (TVG) (9 out of 10)

Empire: Total War continues the franchise’s legacy, simply a masterpiece in the strategy genre. Significant improvements and enhancements to virtually every aspect of the game make this a must-have for fans of the series, whilst we’d urge anybody who’s yet to take the plunge to check it out – Empire: Total War defines PC gaming.

Absolute Games (AG.ru) (90 out of 100)

Формально «сюжет» Empire заканчивается в 1799 году. Понятно, что мы получим в дополнении: наполеоновская кампания, столкновение американского Севера и Юга, восстание сипаев, русско-турецкая война… В XIX веке было пролито ничуть не меньше крови, чем в XVIII. Ну а пока не теряйте времени, империю за день не построишь. Когда еще мы увидим нечто столь же красивое, величественное и интересное?

Meristation (9 out of 10)

The Creative Assembly vuelve a regalarnos una obra maestra de la estrategia. Un excelente juego con infinidad de posibilidades, de opciones y de facciones con las que intentar conseguir la dominación de un siglo tan tumultuoso como fue el XVIII. Un imprescindible en toda colección que se precie.

GameSpot (Belgium/Netherlands) (90 out of 100)

Empire: Total War vereist een korte inspanning en soms wat frustratie verbijten, maar als het game je eenmaal te pakken heeft, dan is dat om je niet meer los te laten. De intelligentie van de computergestuurde generaals had nog wat beter gekund, maar voor het overige over de hele lijn een waardige nieuwe aflevering in een grootse reeks.

Jeux Vidéo Network (18 out of 20)

Révolutionnaire par rapport aux précédents épisodes, Empire Total War est tout aussi beau et accessible que ses aînés. Un jeu équilibré, fun, riche et souvent jubilatoire. Un hit incontestable !

SEGA-Mag (Objectif-SEGA) (9 out of 10)

Et cela se ressent dans le jeu à tous les niveaux. De par son genre hybride unique, Empire n'a pas vraiment de concurrent mais il n'en demeure pas moins la référence en matière de jeu stratégique, le tout agrémenté de bataille en temps réel d'une rare intensité. Il faudra surtout retenir que malgré une telle richesse, le joueur même néophyte pourra se lancer dans l'aventure sans trop d'encombres et bien profiter de tout ce que le jeu peut offrir grâce à la qualité des tutoriaux et la clarté de l'interface. Et pour les habitués, c'est du total bonheur. On est déjà impatient de connaître la prochaine époque qui sera traitée dans la suite et les nouvelles possibilités que l'évolution des technologies pourront nous offrir mais en attendant, Empire a de quoi nous occuper de très nombreuses heures avec sa campagne solo gigantesque, sans parler du multi-joueurs qui promet de belles batailles entre amis.

Tweakers.net (9 out of 10)

Empire: Total War is als spel groter en beter dan we ooit hebben gezien in het strategiegenre. De mogelijkheden op de campagnemap zijn eindeloos en derhalve lang niet allemaal genoemd in deze review. Onder de nieuwe features ligt bovendien het ijzersterke fundament van het bekende Total War-concept, dat zowel in het turn-based deel als in het real-time deel uitstekend is uitgewerkt. De introductie van de Road to Independence, de eerste keer dat je een soort verhalende modus tegenkomt in Total War, is een verrijking voor het spel. De versimpelingen op de campagnemap maken het spel gemakkelijker speelbaar. Dat geldt niet voor de introductie van de zeeslagen, die best lastig zijn. In de praktijk lieten wij die dan ook al vrij snel links liggen. Ook zal de omvang van de Grand Campaign niet bij iedereen in goede aarde vallen; Total War was altijd al een tijdrovende bezigheid, en dat wordt met Empire: Total War alleen maar erger. Dat laatste bedoelen we voornamelijk in positieve zin.

Gry Onet (9 out of 10)

To chyba już oczywiste, że „Empire: Total War” to świetna gra. I będzie jeszcze lepsza, gdy tylko zostanie wydana obiecana kampania wieloosobowa oraz pojawią się rozbudowane fanowskie modyfikacje, które przecież tak znacząco ulepszyły poprzednie gry z serii „Total War”. Zdecydowanie polecam. „Empire: Total War” to aktualnie najlepsza strategia na rynku.

Jeuxvideo.com (18 out of 20)

Empire Total War représente bien le paroxysme attendu de la série. Même s'il n'innove que timidement, par petites touches savamment distillées, l'introduction des batailles navales suffit à elle seule à le rendre incontournable auprès des fans de la série, qui se réjouiront également du nouveau contexte historique. Le jeu apporte une nouvelle preuve, s'il en était encore besoin, que Total War est décidément un grand nom de la stratégie, avec lequel il faut plus que jamais compter.

Eurogamer.net (UK) (9 out of 10)

Empire is a massive game with massive edges. They remain scrappy. It's these sort of things which keep it from a 10; that limit it to being merely one of the games of the year, one which I'm going to play another round of immediately.

Gamer.nl (9 out of 10)

Eigenlijk is er maar één slotsom mogelijk voor Empire: Total War: dit is de grootste, meest uitgebreide, meest tactische RTS-game van dit moment. De review bestaat al uit een behoorlijk aantal woorden, maar we zijn vast en zeker wat nieuwe elementen vergeten te noemen en hebben we bij lange niet alles uitgelegd. En dat kan ook niet. De beste manier om alles te ontdekken, is gewoon de game zelf kopen en een Grand Campaign starten. Groentjes zullen in de eerste instantie worden overladen met informatie en mogelijkheden, maar geloof maar dat dit de beste en meest overzichtelijk Total War-game ooit is. In de afgelopen tien jaar is het Creative Assembly gelukt om de serie bijna tot in perfectie te verbeteren.

Gameplay (Benelux) (90 out of 100)

Empire biedt alles wat de Total War-reeks zo geliefd maakt, plus nog een heleboel meer. Een absolute aanrader!

Game Arena (9 out of 10)

At the end of the day I find myself in the peculiar predicament of hating the pathing, disliking the setting and being underwhelmed by the sea battles... and yet still consistently attempting to conquer the world. The series has always traditionally been the kind of game which is too difficult for your average gamer, and Empire: Total War isn't here to pander to the Everyman. It takes a hard-line approach at strategy gaming and despite a few hiccups it conquers all those in its path. If it comes to a vote though, I say we go back to Rome and we fix that iffy AI.

Good Game (9 out of 10)

Well, for a HUGE game, we really only noticed 1 bug, which was sometimes the music would cut out. And compared to previous games, this one is a lot less resource intensive. On a year old computer you should be able to run it perfectly on high settings. I'm giving it a 9.

GameStar (Germany) (90 out of 100)

Empire ist groß. So groß, dass ich die Umfangswertung am liebsten auf 15 Punkte erhöhen würde. Klar, vielfältig waren die Total-War-Titel immer. Doch Empire erweitert die grandiose Runden-Echtzeit-Mischung noch dazu sinnvoll, zu den alten Suchtfaktoren "Nur noch eine Provinz erobern" und "Nur noch eine Schlacht gewinnen" gesellen sich frische wie "Nur noch eine Technologie erforschen", "Nur noch eine Revolution überleben", "Nur noch eine Handelsroute knüpfen" - und zack! Ist's wieder drei Uhr nachts. Die Schönheitsfehler bei der KI und der Bedienung verzeihe ich Empire zudem eher als weniger komplexen Titeln. Wahre Strategen kommen am 18. Jahrhundert nicht vorbei.

Cyber Stratege (9 out of 10)

Le meilleur des Total War ! Toujours aussi spectaculaire, mais avec une petite dose d’historicité, des batailles enfin tactiques et une grande campagne beaucoup moins caricaturale que les précédentes. Nous attendons impatiemment les campagnes multijoueurs, annoncées pour un futur patch !

Cheat Happens (9 out of 10)

Strategy fans – you already know you need this game. It’s a must own, plain and simple. Those who have shied away from the genre, you need it too. There has never been a better jumping on point than Empire: Total War. Think about it – an incredibly engaging tutorial to get you acquainted mixed with incredible visuals and deep, lasting gameplay? Why would you not want such a masterpiece?

GamingBolt (9 out of 10)

Put simply, Empire Total War is one of the best games of this year, and is far and away one of the best strategy games of the year; maybe even the best. The huge scope, the fantastic real time battles and the strategic depth have all come together to create a game that is a joy to play-even if it is a little rough around the edges.

Games TM (9 out of 10)

Though ostensibly a sober and serious title, Empire is imbued with warmth that sees leading characters taking mistresses that boost their stats and, should they get bored, descending into heavy drinking and gambling. Just leave Napoleon Bonaparte in a backwater hell for a few years and see what happens. It's all so bloody marvellous that only someone physically allergic to the 18th Century will fail to glean maximum pleasure from prolonged play that is ripe for modding. Bring on the inevitably superb expansion packs, we're hungry for more.

GameGrin (9 out of 10)

That said, Empire: Total War is the sort of game you can play for hours on end without losing interest taking the dreaded "one more turn" persona that has many people addicted to the Civilization series. I have managed to lose chunks of the weekend and most weekday evenings in my conquest to crush Spain with the adorable Dutch, with the rare excuse of "I have to play this much for the review" on hand to bail me from certain disapproval. You may not have that defence, but you would be missing a very worthwhile and thoroughly enjoyable experience if you do not play this early contender for game of 2009.

Blend Games ( )

You can also play land and sea battles with up to seven other players but the real treat will be the multiplayer campaign mode that The Creative Assembly plans to add in a future future. This isn't the only reason Empire will get better over time; my experience with the game was relatively bug-free but many users have experienced crashes and save file corruption. These glitches are obviously frustrating but they don't change the fact that Empire: Total War is one of the best empire-building games you'll ever find. If powdered wigs come back into style, it's because of this game.

PC Games (Germany) (90 out of 100)

Was hatte ich Bammel: Denn die Version, die wir in der vorherigen Ausgabe spielten, erwies sich als erschreckend unfertig. Und dann reißen die Entwickler doch noch das Ruder herum, servieren uns ein geniales Spiel, das im Vergleich zum Vorgänger in nahezu allen Belangen verbessert wurde. Zwar zwicken noch hier und da kleine Probleme, aber darüber kann ich hinwegsehen. Denn Empire wird mich die nächsten Monate nicht mehr loslassen.

PC Action (Germany) (89 out of 100)

Fantastische Grafik, riesige Schlachten, Langzeitmotivation bis zum Tag des Jüngsten Gerichts: Empire macht alles richtig. Allein auf der riesigen Weltkarte könnte ich stundenlang meinen Größenwahn ausleben. Nur schade, dass die neuen Seekämpfe so fummelig geraten sind, sodass ich sie weiterhin am liebsten vom Computer berechnen lasse, ohne sie in Echtzeit auszutragen. Die Gegner mit dem Hirn eines Backsteins sind dagegen schon fast so etwas wie ein Markenzeichen der Reihe. Für den nächsten Teil möchte ich aber wieder Ritter und Burgen: Kollege Frank und seine Bekannten tragen ja vielleicht gerne Röcke und Perücken, ich stehe aber eher auf dicke Rüstungen und Schwerter!

Play.tm (88 out of 100)

I didn't even manage to try out the eight-person multiplayer; there just wasn't enough time. Once they get round to releasing the full strategy game as a multiplayer experience I'll review that for you, as I'm sure I'll have a lot more to talk about than latency and lobbies. Until then, if you have the time and the dedication, Empire: Total War will shower you with gaming glory and riches. I'm just going to make my deadline with this review. If the game hadn't just crashed, (for the third time in close to 30 hours) out an hour or so back it would no doubt have been even later. It's now almost 1AM and I'm giving serious thought to at least firing it up once more and finishing off the Poles before letting the smoke settle for the night.

Armchair General (86 out of 100)

In the final tally, Empire: Total War is a very good game and highly recommended. It is one of the most anticipated titles of this year and the hype, combined with the gaming audience’s thirst for a great war game, have set the bar very high for Creative Assembly. Empire: Total War is somewhat short of those lofty goals and is not a great game yet; hopefully patching and the modding community will shortly polish this somewhat rough gem. But in the meantime, fix bayonets, look to your front, and pay no mind to the man who is struck. Advance, for today you fight for the Empire!

Games Finder (8.5 out of 10)

If you had to give an award for the best Total War game it would probably have to be handed to Empire: Total War and is a must grab for fans or those wondering which game from the series they should play first.

GameSpot (8.5 out of 10)

It's impossible to condense an experience as broad and as rich as Empire: Total War to a few thousand words. Its complex amalgam of turn-based empire building and real-time skirmishing is exciting and involving, and it's both fuller and more streamlined than its predecessors. But like those predecessors, it inspires that compulsion to accomplish just one last turn, even when your eyes are bleary and your body longs for sleep. Although some rough edges are in serious need of sanding, this is a complex and rewarding game that will keep strategy fanatics tied to their keyboards for months at a time.

games xtreme (8.5 out of 10)

It's one of the better Total War games. It has new features and a new time period. It also has some annoying elements and some bugs; I had a couple of freezes and CTDs that annoyed me. A lack of a deeper mp mode put me off a little but the sp game is fun and there's a lot of potential here.

Click! (8.5 out of 10)

Empire to bardzo dobra kontynuacja zasłużonej serii, która przenosi graczy do ciekawych czasów wielkich wojen. W trybie turowym oddaje skomplikowane realia epoki, a podczas bitew, zwłaszcza lądowych, zapewnia wielkie emocje i okazję do zostania domorosłym Napoleonem. Vae victis!

YouGamers (83 out of 100)

Empire: Total War is impressive and very ambitious in scope, but it feels like the final polish was sacrificed to ship the game according to a set schedule. First patches have resolved some of the worst bugs, but the gameplay is still riddled with dumb AI and other issues that can't be overlooked. Pretty and perhaps after some patches a truly great game, but it's not there just yet.

Mana Pool (8.2 out of 10)

So is Empire: Total War worth buying? If you are a big fan of the Total War series, and like the 17th century setting – then yes – absolutely. Each empire plays just a little differently, with different units, look and feel at their disposal. There’s plenty of replayability if you look at it that way, and it has the Road to Independence campaign to offer on top of that. The biggest challenge for Empire: Total War is that there are just a lot of good alternatives out there – including some of its own predecessors. Still, if you’re in the mood for some 17th century conquest, Empire is as good as it’s going to get at the moment. It was pretty bad on release, but in its current state the game is highly enjoyable and much, much more polished. And there’s a fair few mods available to keep you entertained as well.

2404.org PC Gaming (8.2 out of 10)

Empire: Total War is a lot of game. There’s a multi-player mode, which fluctuates between working and not working, but really, this game is meant to be played for its sprawling single-player campaign. It’s a game that’s springing leaks in every conceivable layer of its design, but it somehow sails on, always sure of what it’s setting out to do, even if it falls short in some areas. Maybe you should hold off until a lot of the path-finding, AI and other technical problems are ironed out, but what’s out there now is an ambitious and huge product, that’s easy to admire and just as easy to enjoy.

Giant Bomb ( )

Even with its flaws, though, the newest Total War is so breathtaking and immersive that it's hard not to recommend to avid strategy fans. Games this deep seem to be a dying breed, and though it's not something I'd feel comfortable recommending to more casual players, patient fans of the genre should know the sheer scope and complexity of the game currently has no equal and is worth weathering the hiccups.

Thunderbolt Games (8 out of 10)

Despite the somewhat disappointing oceanic escapades and occasionally overloaded meta-political wrangling, Empire: Total War charges on to victory and plants a tattered flag firmly both in the heart and mind. Its technical depth is unparalleled, and it challenges the player in ways other games simply cannot. It’s difficult not to begin wondering if it’s more than just a strategy title and in fact an allegory for the brutally impersonal nature of war itself, though perhaps this is over thinking the game’s nature. Regardless of any latent, potentially ethically inquiring core, however, this is a strategy title that triumphantly captures the essence of oppressive and authoritarian leadership in conflict, in the process achieving - on the surface and indeed for most players - exactly what it sets out to do.

InsightBits (4 out of 5)

Empire is an extremely ambitious game that raises the bar for what strategy games should be like in terms of sheer scope, depth, gameplay, and immersive battles. While it has its flaws, they can be fixed for the most part with a few good patches, and shouldn’t detract from the fact that Empire is an exquisite game and thoroughly worth the money.

True Game Headz ( )

“Empire: Total War” does many things right, it’s a long game with extremely huge scope. This is not the type of game you can simply jump in and play. You will need to study a bit about the military formations and think about each turn, as you slowly build your country with a great economy and army. But while it does contain great content, it still suffers from the ghosts of the franchise’s past – the A.I. is still as dumb as a brick with down syndrome when it comes to sieges, and diplomacy is just a fancy word for “silly demands” in A.I. speak. Overall, it is the best game in the “Total War” series, but due to its major A.I. faults, it is not the “perfect” game for the series.

Hooked Gamers (8 out of 10)

It is not often that I start writing my review for a game with a mindset that is torn between awe and frustration. I can’t get my current game of Empire: Total War to continue anymore. The game is broken. I am too disgruntled to start a new game right now, leaving me ample time to write up the review you have just read. I am sure that the game will be fixed with a patch somewhere down the line, and have tried to give a fair score that is not solely based on the stability and performance issues. However, the game that you will be buying in the stores is unfinished and the score given should reflect that.

Game 2.0 (8 out of 10)

Γενικά, παρά τα προβλήματα του σε τομείς όπως το ΑΙ (το οποίο είναι ομολογουμένως δύσκολο εγχείρημα στα παιχνίδια στρατηγικής) και το loading, το Empire: Total War είναι καλό παιχνίδι. Δεν έχει πολλά προβλήματα το οποία αδυνατούν να λυθούν και το internet είναι γεμάτο με κοινότητες οι οποίες αφιερώνονται πάντα, όχι μόνο στο να φτιάχνουν mods που κάνουν τα Total War games αγνώριστα, αλλά βοηθάνε και νέους παίχτες να καταλάβουν έννοιες και λεπτομέρειες οι οποίες δεν απαντώνται πάντα μέσα στο παιχνίδι. Είναι τελικά ένας τίτλος, ο οποίος απο πολλές απόψεις αξίζει την προσοχή των strategy fans και θα τους απασχολήσει για καιρό.

Immoral Gamers (8 out of 10)

Not merely the futile fundamentally pointlessly pedantic semantic mental mutual wank-fest we all know it to be, philosophy in Empire has practical benefits and drawbacks. The more the rights of man and other such theoretical advancements are disseminated among a culture, the less content the populace will be with their material lot. It’s a constant balancing act to keep your people content while also keeping them productive. And it’s always fun to pit an empiricist with a gun and a bullet against a stalwart solipsist and see who comes out on top.

Peliplaneetta.net (80 out of 100)

Loppujen lopuksi Empiren ongelmat voi tiivistää liian aikaiseen julkaisuun. Vaikka tunnetuimmat tekniset ongelmat johtuvatkin uusista NVIDIAn ajureista ja Steamin palvelimien takkuilusta, on selvää, että pitkät latausajat ja huono tekoäly johtuvat viimeistelyn puutteesta. Samasta syystä johtunee ohjeiden huono taso. Ohut manuaali kertoo miten peliä pelataan, mutta Empire tarvitsisi kipeästi Civilopedia-tyyppisen ohjeen, josta voisi tarkistaa vaikkapa eri valtiomuotojen erot tai yksikköjen numeroarvojen merkityksen.

Tap-Repeatedly/Four Fat Chicks ( )

Fans (like myself) of prior TW titles will appreciate the massive improvements to the turn-based campaign, but may be disappointed by the sleepytime AI in both the real-time and turn-based portions of the game, the infuriating pathfinding, and poor unit diversity.