Medieval II: Total War – Pound the peasants….

Mike Bantick
Tuesday, 16 January 2007 16:35

Opinion and Analysis

Medieval II:Total War
	Developer:	Creative Assembly
	Publisher:	THQ
	Rating:	M
PC

But don’t piss off the Pope.  Follow these simple guidelines as you make your way through the complex intricacies of this latest in the Total War series from Australia’s Creative Assembly.

I have been following the Total War franchise from its inception based in feudal Japan; Shogun: Total War.  Last year the series really grew up with the release of the polished Rome: Total War.

This is what PC gaming is all about, none of your game-pad flinging here.  This is deep complex gaming at a number of strategic and tactical levels.

Essentially this is Rome: Total War repackaged in the more exciting medieval time period and enhanced graphically.  For fans of the series we still see the turn based strategic maps with – if the player wants to – the action zooming to an exquisite tactical display for a real time battle when required.  Still there are no Ship to Ship tactical engagements.

Space does not permit a full examination of the gaming options available during the turn base strategic game, so here is a short summary. 

City management, including taxes, riot control, upgrading of town size, religion management and trade.
Agents, such as Spies, Assassins, Merchants, Priests, Diplomats and more.
Direction and Missions received by the Pope as well as the odd Crusade or two.
Trade, Diplomatic and Religious options to subjugate enemies to your faction without direct conflict.

But what of the real time battles? - see page 2