Top 10 greatest Total War game editions of all time.

Medieval II: Total War is the second installment, released in 2006, following Medieval: Total War. Set in Europe during the Age of Enlightenment, it spans the Middle Ages to the Colonial Era. The game covers the Crusades, the Mongol invasions, the rise of Islamic kingdoms, and European exploration of the Americas and other colonies.

Medieval II: Total War received a solid 88 rating on MetaCritic.

Details:

• Release Year: 2006
• Expansion Pack: Kingdoms
• MetaCritic Score: 88

Unlike other Total War games that are rooted in real-world history, Warhammer introduces an epic fantasy world filled with mythical creatures and intense battles. Total War: Warhammer II is the second title in the series, released in 2017. Players can choose from various factions such as the Empire of Man, Elves, Orcs, Goblins, Dwarves, and more. If you're a fan of fantasy films like The Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, or Game of Thrones, or games like Warcraft, Diablo, and God of War, this is a must-play.

Details:

• Release Year: 2017
• Expansion Packs: Mortal Empires, Rise of the Tomb Kings, Curse of the Vampire Coast
• MetaCritic Score: 87

The previous installment, Total War: Warhammer, also ranks among the Top 10 Greatest Total War Games of All Time. This was the first title in the series to introduce monstrous armies, dragons, beasts, and magic, launching in 2016. According to Sega, the Warhammer series will have three parts, so one more Warhammer edition is expected to be released in the future.

Details:

• Release Year: 2016
• Expansion Packs: Chaos Warriors, Call of the Beasts, Realm of the Wood Elves, Bretonnia, Norsca
• MetaCritic Score: 86

Total War: Three Kingdoms is the latest installment of the Total War series, released in 2019.

This game is set during the Three Kingdoms period of China, a time familiar to many through figures like Cao Cao, Liu Bei, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Zhuge Liang. Total War: Three Kingdoms is based on the historical narrative of the Three Kingdoms: during the late Han Dynasty, factions vied for control. After a period of turmoil, the three strongest factions emerged to form the main conflict between the Wei (Cao Cao), Shu Han (Liu Bei), and Wu (Sun Quan). Players can choose from legendary figures like Liu Bei, Cao Cao, Sun Jian, Gong Sun Zan, Yuan Shao, and Yuan Shu, and build their forces to dominate the land. There are two main gameplay modes: Romance, inspired by the novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms, which gives players stronger heroes and a mix of strategy and character development; and Record, based on the historical Records of the Three Kingdoms, focusing primarily on tactics.

Total War: Three Kingdoms features stunning graphics, a captivating storyline, and has broken several records: it became the highest pre-ordered Total War title, the strategy game with the highest concurrent players on Steam, and the fastest-selling game in the series (over 1 million copies in the first week of release).

Details:

• Release Year: 2019
• Expansion Packs: None
• MetaCritic Score: 85

As the first title that launched the iconic Total War series, Shogun: Total War was released in 2000, set during the Sengoku period. This game is the precursor to the legendary Shogun 2, sharing many similarities in terms of story and gameplay. While it faced limitations in graphics and gameplay due to being the initial release, Shogun: Total War still earned an 84 rating on MetaCritic.

Details:

• Release Year: 2000
• Expansion Pack: The Mongol Invasion
• MetaCritic Score: 84

Napoleon: Total War was released in 2010, set during Napoleon's era as he sought to conquer Europe. Players can take on the role of Napoleon, building and commanding his army, or choose to play as one of his opponents, such as Britain, Austria, Prussia, or Russia.

The game was praised for its graphics, historical accuracy, and the grandeur of its battlefields. However, it did face criticism for the game's AI, which some felt was lacking. Additionally, some players believed that Napoleon: Total War didn't offer much innovation over its predecessor, Empire: Total War, which had been released just a year earlier.

Details:

• Release Year: 2010
• Expansion Pack: The Peninsular Campaign
• MetaCritic Score: 81

Total War: Attila is considered a direct continuation of Rome II, set during the decline of the Roman Empire. By this time, the empire is divided into the Eastern and Western Roman Empires, facing attacks and invasions from surrounding nations such as the Huns, Mongols, Britain, France, and Prussia. This installment not only emphasizes construction and combat but also highlights diplomacy, both internally and with neighboring factions.

Although it ranks near the bottom of the Top 10 Best Total War Games of All Time, Total War: Attila has still garnered positive reviews, scoring an 80 on MetaCritics. This score places it above other Total War installments such as Medieval, Rome, and Saga: Throne of Britannia.

Details:

• Release Year: 2015
• Expansion Packs: The Last Roman, Age of Charlemagne
• MetaCritic Score: 80

The crown jewel of the Top 10 Best Total War Games of All Time is undoubtedly Rome: Total War, released in 2004 and named Game of the Year.

Rome: Total War is set in the ancient Roman period, where players begin by choosing one of the three powerful Roman families: Julii, Brutii, or Scipii. They must build, expand, and use strategy to unite Rome through epic battles. In addition to following the campaign, players can also recreate famous historical battles.

The release of Rome: Total War revolutionized the Total War franchise with major changes, such as the introduction of free movement. The game also made significant improvements in user experience, solidifying its place in Total War's legacy and influencing later installments. Its graphics were notably enhanced, drawing players deeper into its immersive battles while refining strategic elements.

Even years after its release, Rome: Total War remains a legendary title in the Total War series. The game has received numerous awards and high scores from both critics and players. On Game Rankings, it earned a remarkable 91.64%, with IGN rating it 9.4/10, and MetaCritic awarding it 92, the highest score across all Total War games.

Details:

• Release Year: 2004
• Expansion Packs: Barbarian Invasion, Alexander
• MetaCritic Score: 92

When discussing the Total War series, one cannot overlook the masterpiece that is Total War: Shogun 2, an enhanced version of the classic Total War: Shogun.

Set during the Sengoku period of Japan, a time of chaos, samurai uprisings, and constant warfare, Total War: Shogun 2 incorporates the influence of Western forces. Players choose from a variety of clans such as Oda, Shimazu, Mori, Tokugawa, Takeda, Uesugi, Date, Chosokabe, Hojo, Hattori, and Otomo, each offering unique military strengths, from samurai (Shimazu, Date, Hojo) to ninjas (Hattori, Tokugawa), archers (Chosokabe), and ashigaru (Oda), as well as alliances with the West for advanced weaponry (Otomo). This diversity of clans and advantages makes Total War: Shogun 2 one of the most intricate and dynamic games in the Total War series.

One of the greatest strengths of Total War: Shogun 2 is its ability to authentically recreate the historical and cultural aspects of Japan during the Sengoku period. The game incorporates various combat styles, weapons, and special features, such as assassinations, setting it apart from other titles in the franchise. Its graphics are also exceptional, ranking as one of the most visually stunning entries in Total War. Total War: Shogun 2 earned an impressive 89.33% on Game Rankings and 90 on MetaCritic, reflecting the high praise it received.

Details:

• Release Year: 2011
• Expansion Packs: Rise of the Samurai, Fall of the Samurai
• MetaCritic Score: 90