Is Warhammer 2 the Best Total War? A Deep Dive
Unequivocally, Total War: Warhammer 2 stands as a monumental achievement in the Total War franchise and a strong contender for the title of best Total War game ever made. It masterfully blends the historical grand strategy Total War is known for with the rich, fantastical world of Warhammer Fantasy Battles. Its diverse factions, engaging campaign mechanics, and sheer replayability contribute to an experience that continues to captivate strategy gamers years after its release. While newer installments like Warhammer 3 have built upon its foundation, Warhammer 2 retains a special place due to its polished gameplay, excellent content, and the sheer joy of commanding armies of Lizardmen, High Elves, Dark Elves, and Skaven.
Why Warhammer 2 Still Reigns Supreme
The reasons for Warhammer 2’s enduring appeal are manifold. Firstly, the faction diversity is astounding. Each of the core races, High Elves, Dark Elves, Lizardmen, and Skaven, are deeply thematic, with unique campaign mechanics, unit rosters, and playstyles. The High Elves, for example, focus on diplomacy and trade, while the Skaven spread corruption and utilize cunning ambushes. This asymmetry makes each campaign feel dramatically different.
Secondly, the Vortex Campaign provided a compelling narrative framework. While some may prefer the sandbox nature of Immortal Empires in Warhammer 3, the Vortex Campaign offered focused objectives and escalating stakes, making it a fantastic entry point for new players and providing a sense of urgency often lacking in other Total War titles.
Thirdly, Warhammer 2’s technical polish at launch was significantly better than many other Total War games, including Warhammer 3 at its initial release. While not without its bugs, it was generally a stable and optimized experience, allowing players to focus on the strategy rather than wrestling with technical issues. This stability helped cement its positive reputation.
Finally, the modding community for Warhammer 2 is vibrant and active. Countless mods enhance the gameplay, add new factions, and tweak mechanics, extending the game’s lifespan indefinitely. From small quality-of-life improvements to complete overhauls, the modding scene keeps Warhammer 2 fresh and exciting. Studying and modifying games can be a great educational activity. You can learn more about the educational benefits of games on the Games Learning Society website at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.
Addressing the Competition
While Warhammer 2 holds a strong position, it’s important to acknowledge other contenders for the title of best Total War game. Shogun 2: Total War is often praised for its tight focus, elegant gameplay, and stunning visuals. Its historical setting provides a different kind of immersion, and its mechanics are arguably more streamlined than Warhammer 2’s.
Rome: Total War remains a classic for its grand scale, historical authenticity, and groundbreaking gameplay. Its influence on the entire series is undeniable. Medieval II: Total War is another fan favorite, lauded for its depth, historical accuracy, and the iconic Crusades campaign.
Total War: Warhammer 3 is the natural successor to Warhammer 2, incorporating all three games into the massive Immortal Empires campaign. It features improved graphics, updated mechanics, and new factions. However, its initial launch was plagued with technical issues, and it lacks the polish and focused campaign of Warhammer 2.
Ultimately, the best Total War game is subjective. It depends on individual preferences for setting, gameplay mechanics, and historical accuracy. However, Warhammer 2’s combination of fantasy, strategy, and excellent execution makes it a strong contender for the top spot.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while other Total War titles offer compelling experiences, Warhammer 2’s unique blend of fantasy and strategy, its faction diversity, and its overall polish make it a strong candidate for the best Total War game. Its enduring popularity and vibrant modding community attest to its lasting appeal. Whether you’re a seasoned Total War veteran or a newcomer to the series, Warhammer 2 is definitely worth experiencing.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Should I get Warhammer Total War 1 or 2?
If you’re new to the series, start with Warhammer 2. It’s the better game overall. Owning both 1 and 2 unlocks the Mortal Empires campaign in 2, allowing you to play factions from both games. Warhammer 1 is only useful if you want to try the game on a tighter budget before investing in the sequel.
2. Is it still worth playing Warhammer 2?
Absolutely! Warhammer 2 remains a fantastic game with excellent replayability. Its campaign mechanics are still engaging, and the faction diversity keeps things fresh.
3. Is there a game better than Total War?
While personal preference varies, some consider games like Crusader Kings III and Civilization VI to be superior in terms of grand strategy and depth. The article mentions Iron Harvest as a possible alternative due to its addition of “World Map Campaigns”. Ultimately, it depends on what aspects of strategy games you value most.
4. Should I start with Total War Warhammer 2 or 3?
If you are looking for the most up-to-date experience, start with Warhammer 3. It features the Immortal Empires campaign, which combines content from all three games. However, be aware that Warhammer 3 had a rough launch, and some players still prefer the more polished experience of Warhammer 2.
5. Is Total Warhammer 2 beginner friendly?
Single-player can be challenging, depending on your chosen faction and difficulty level. Multiplayer is generally considered less beginner-friendly due to experienced players.
6. Can I play Warhammer 3 without 1 and 2?
Yes, you can play Warhammer 3 without owning 1 and 2. You only need Warhammer 3 installed to access the Immortal Empires campaign, provided the other games are in your library.
7. Is Total War a AAA game?
Yes, Total War is a multi-award-winning AAA games franchise developed by Creative Assembly.
8. What is the best Total War game to start with?
Some recommend Rome 2 Total War or Shogun 2 Total War as good starting points due to their intuitive mechanics and historical setting. However, Warhammer 2 is also a viable option, especially if you enjoy fantasy settings.
9. Should I play all Total War: Warhammer games?
While not necessary, playing through the previous entries can enrich your experience with the Immortal Empires campaign in Warhammer 3. Each game offers unique campaigns and perspectives on the Warhammer world.
10. What is the point of Total War Warhammer 2?
Warhammer 2 combines turn-based strategy on a campaign map with real-time tactical battles. Players manage settlements, engage in diplomacy, and command armies in epic conflicts.
11. Is Total War Warhammer 2 worth buying?
Absolutely! If you enjoy strategy games and the Warhammer setting, Warhammer 2 is definitely worth picking up. Its depth, replayability, and sheer scale make it a fantastic value.
12. Does Warhammer 3 look better than Warhammer 2?
Yes, Warhammer 3 generally features improved graphics, updated textures, and more detailed environments compared to Warhammer 2. However, some players may prefer the art style of Warhammer 2.
13. Is Total War Warhammer 2 complicated?
There is a learning curve, but the game does a decent job of introducing the basics. Choosing a faction for your campaign can be one of the most challenging aspects, as each race has unique mechanics and playstyles.
14. Should I play Total War in order?
There’s no need to play the Total War: Warhammer games in order. Each game has its own campaign, but the narrative is not interconnected. The primary benefit of owning multiple games is access to the combined maps and factions in Mortal Empires (Warhammer 2) and Immortal Empires (Warhammer 3).
15. What is the next Total War game?
As of late 2023, the next Total War game announced is Total War: Pharaoh, which will be set in ancient Egypt.