Is There Any Reason to Play Total War: Warhammer 1?
The short answer is: yes, but mostly for completionists or those on a very tight budget. While Total War: Warhammer 2 and Total War: Warhammer 3 offer superior gameplay, mechanics, and overall experiences, Warhammer 1 still holds a niche appeal, primarily as a gateway to unlocking content in the later games and a historical artifact of the series’ evolution. Let’s delve into the details.
Unlocking Mortal Empires and Immortal Empires
The most compelling reason to own Warhammer 1 stems from its integration with the subsequent titles. Owning Warhammer 1 is required to unlock the Mortal Empires campaign in Warhammer 2. Mortal Empires combines the maps and factions of both games into a single, massive campaign map, offering an unparalleled grand strategy experience. This is a substantial increase of content and can greatly impact your level of satisfaction with both titles.
Similarly, owning Warhammer 1 (along with Warhammer 2) is also required to unlock Immortal Empires in Warhammer 3. Immortal Empires is the definitive Total War: Warhammer experience, encompassing almost all races and lords from the entire trilogy on an even larger map. Without Warhammer 1, you’re significantly limiting your access to the full roster of factions in these expansive campaigns.
Exploring the Origins
Beyond the content unlocks, Warhammer 1 provides a fascinating look at the genesis of the Total War: Warhammer series. It showcases Creative Assembly’s initial vision for bringing the Warhammer Fantasy Battles world to life in a Total War game.
While Warhammer 2 significantly improved upon the formula, Warhammer 1 still boasts impressive graphics for its time, especially during tactical battles. It introduces iconic factions like the Empire, Dwarfs, Greenskins, Vampire Counts, and (via DLC) factions like the Bretonnia and Wood Elves, all rendered with a level of detail that was groundbreaking upon release. It is fun to revisit some of these factions that have been reworked over time, and see their simpler and more direct game play.
A Budget-Friendly Entry Point (Sometimes)
Warhammer 1 is frequently available at a discounted price compared to its sequels. This makes it a potentially attractive option for players who are unsure whether they’ll enjoy the Total War: Warhammer series and are hesitant to invest in the more expensive titles. In effect, it’s a relatively low-risk way to dip your toes into the Warhammer world and determine if the grand strategy gameplay appeals to you. The relatively low cost can allow you to experience the universe to its full potential, and it’s still an awesome, stand alone game with its own strengths and merits.
Reasons Against Playing Warhammer 1 Primarily
Before rushing to purchase Warhammer 1, it’s important to acknowledge its limitations:
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Outdated Mechanics: Warhammer 2 and Warhammer 3 feature numerous gameplay improvements, quality-of-life enhancements, and faction reworks that are absent in Warhammer 1.
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Faction Reworks: Warhammer 1 does not include many faction reworks present in the subsequent games.
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Inferior Tutorial: Both Warhammer 2 and Warhammer 3 have far superior tutorial experiences.
Is Warhammer 1 Still Worth It? The Verdict
Ultimately, the value of playing Warhammer 1 depends on your individual circumstances and priorities. If you’re a die-hard Total War fan, a Warhammer lore enthusiast, or simply want to unlock the full potential of Warhammer 2 and Warhammer 3‘s combined campaigns, then Warhammer 1 is a worthwhile investment, especially when purchased on sale.
However, if you’re primarily interested in the best possible Total War: Warhammer gameplay experience, then you’re better off starting with Warhammer 2 or Warhammer 3 directly, as they offer more refined mechanics, engaging campaigns, and a wider range of features.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Do I need to own Warhammer 1 to play Warhammer 2 or Warhammer 3?
No, you don’t need to own Warhammer 1 to play Warhammer 2 or Warhammer 3. Each game can be played independently with its own base content. However, owning Warhammer 1 unlocks additional content in Warhammer 2 and Warhammer 3 in the form of Mortal Empires and Immortal Empires respectively.
2. What is Mortal Empires?
Mortal Empires is a grand campaign in Total War: Warhammer 2 that combines the maps and playable factions from Warhammer 1 and Warhammer 2. This allows you to play as factions from both games on a much larger campaign map. You must own both Warhammer 1 and Warhammer 2 to access Mortal Empires.
3. What is Immortal Empires?
Immortal Empires is the definitive grand campaign in Total War: Warhammer 3. It encompasses almost all races and legendary lords from all three Total War: Warhammer games on a vast, combined map. Warhammer 1 and Warhammer 2 are not required to play Warhammer 3. However, if you want access to all of the playable races and legendary lords, you must own all three games, as well as several pieces of DLC.
4. Is Warhammer 2 better than Warhammer 1?
Yes, in most aspects, Warhammer 2 is considered a better game than Warhammer 1. It features improved gameplay mechanics, a more engaging campaign, and numerous quality-of-life enhancements. The magic and monster gameplay is also vastly improved.
5. Is Warhammer 3 better than Warhammer 2?
Warhammer 3 also has several advantages over Warhammer 2, with improved sieges, unit customization, and more fleshed out and dynamic races. However, it also has some quirks and flaws. Many players see it as a sidegrade to Warhammer 2, with some factions and mechanics being better and some being worse.
6. Which Total War: Warhammer game should I start with?
The consensus is that starting with Warhammer 2 is the most beginner-friendly. It has a better tutorial and campaign structure for new players. Warhammer 3 is also a decent starting point, with a good tutorial. Warhammer 1 is an obsolete starting point, due to its less helpful tutorial and missing quality of life updates.
7. Are the DLCs for Warhammer 1 worth buying?
The value of Warhammer 1 DLCs depends on your interest in the specific factions they add. If you enjoy playing as the Wood Elves or Beastmen, then their respective DLCs can be worthwhile investments. However, keep in mind that these factions have since received reworks in Warhammer 2 and Warhammer 3, and if you have a preference, you may prefer to just buy one of the other titles to get access to the rework.
8. Will my Warhammer 1 DLC carry over to Warhammer 2 and Warhammer 3?
Yes, Warhammer 1 DLC (that adds new races) carries over to Warhammer 2 through the Mortal Empires campaign, and Warhammer 3 through Immortal Empires. However, you will only be able to use this new content in the combined campaign.
9. Can I combine Warhammer 1 and Warhammer 2 without owning all the DLC?
Yes, you can combine Warhammer 1 and Warhammer 2 to play the Mortal Empires campaign even if you don’t own all the DLC. The base races will still be playable, but you won’t have access to the factions introduced by the DLC unless you purchase them separately.
10. How long does it take to beat Total War: Warhammer 1?
The main campaign of Total War: Warhammer 1 takes approximately 34 hours to complete. Achieving 100% completion can take upwards of 162 hours.
11. Is Total War: Warhammer a AAA game?
Yes, the Total War: Warhammer games are considered AAA titles. They are large-scale releases with significant budgets and high production values.
12. Is Total War: Warhammer easy to play?
The Total War: Warhammer games have a steep learning curve, especially for new players. There are many complex mechanics and strategic considerations to master. However, with practice and patience, anyone can become proficient.
13. Does Henry Cavill play Total War: Warhammer?
While Henry Cavill is known to be a fan of Warhammer 40k, it is not widely known if he plays Total War: Warhammer specifically.
14. Which Warhammer game has the best story?
Total War: Warhammer 2 is often praised for having a more engaging and compelling narrative campaign compared to Warhammer 1. While the storytelling is certainly above average for strategy games, the campaigns are more focused on strategy than narrative.
15. Where can I learn more about the strategy genre and game-based learning?
You can explore the world of strategy games and their educational potential at the Games Learning Society website: GamesLearningSociety.org.
In conclusion, while Warhammer 1 may not be the optimal starting point for newcomers to the series, it remains a valuable piece of the Total War: Warhammer puzzle, especially for those seeking to unlock the full scope of Mortal Empires and Immortal Empires.