Should You Play Total War: Warhammer 1 Before 2? A Veteran’s Take
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So, you’re staring down the barrel of the Old World and beyond, wondering if you need to trudge through the original Total War: Warhammer before diving headfirst into its acclaimed sequel. The short answer? No, you don’t need to. Total War: Warhammer 2 is a fantastic entry point on its own. However, the longer, more nuanced answer is that playing the first game can significantly enhance your overall experience, especially if you’re planning to become a true Warhammer aficionado.
Think of it like this: Warhammer 2 is a delicious, complex stew. Warhammer 1 provides some of the core ingredients. You can enjoy the stew without those ingredients, but you’ll be missing some essential flavors and textures.
Ultimately, the decision rests on your personal preferences and goals. Are you a lore hound who craves context and world-building? Or are you primarily interested in jumping into the most polished and feature-rich experience right away? Let’s break it down.
The Case for Skipping Warhammer 1 Initially
- Warhammer 2 is Standalone: The sequel offers its own engaging campaign, the Vortex Campaign, which is entirely self-contained. You don’t need any prior knowledge to understand the narrative or enjoy the gameplay.
- Improved Mechanics and Polish: Warhammer 2 refined many of the mechanics introduced in the first game. The user interface is cleaner, certain gameplay aspects are more streamlined, and the overall experience is more polished. Starting with the sequel allows you to avoid some of the rougher edges of the original.
- More Diverse Factions: While Warhammer 1 had a respectable roster of factions (Empire, Greenskins, Dwarfs, Vampire Counts, and Chaos Warriors), Warhammer 2 introduced the High Elves, Dark Elves, Lizardmen, and Skaven, each with unique playstyles and compelling lore. These additions significantly expand the strategic options available to players.
- Better Tutorialization: Warhammer 2 arguably does a better job of onboarding new players with its tutorial campaign.
The Alluring Appeal of Warhammer 1
- Mortal Empires Awaits: This is the big one. Mortal Empires is a massive combined campaign map in Warhammer 2 that stitches together the maps of both games. To access this epic, sprawling campaign, you must own Warhammer 1 (it doesn’t need to be installed, just present in your Steam library). This campaign lets you play as any faction from either game, creating a truly sandbox experience.
- Expanding Your Faction Arsenal: Owning Warhammer 1 unlocks its factions for use in Mortal Empires. Suddenly, the dour Dwarfs, the zealous Empire, and the bloodthirsty Greenskins become playable options in the grand campaign. This dramatically increases the replayability and strategic depth of Warhammer 2.
- The Narrative Foundation: Warhammer 1 establishes the fundamental lore and setting of the Old World. While not strictly necessary to understand Warhammer 2, experiencing the original campaign can provide a richer understanding of the factions, their motivations, and their place in the Warhammer universe.
- Lower Entry Cost (Potentially): Warhammer 1 is often available at a discounted price, making it a budget-friendly way to dip your toes into the Total War: Warhammer universe. If you find you enjoy the gameplay, you can then invest in Warhammer 2 and unlock the Mortal Empires campaign.
- GamesLearningSociety.org emphasizes the value of learning through play. Exploring both games offers unique insights into game design and narrative structure. Visit Games Learning Society to discover more.
Ultimately, Consider This:
If you are on a limited budget, want the smoothest initial experience, and aren’t immediately concerned with playing every possible faction on a gigantic map, start with Warhammer 2.
However, if you foresee yourself becoming a dedicated Total War: Warhammer player, then buying Warhammer 1 alongside Warhammer 2 (or shortly thereafter) is highly recommended to unlock the full potential of the Mortal Empires campaign. The combined experience is truly something special.
Warhammer 3: The Next Step
Let’s not forget that Warhammer 3 exists. While it’s another standalone game with its own unique campaign, owning Warhammer 1 and 2 unlocks the Immortal Empires campaign in Warhammer 3. This is an even larger combined map that incorporates content from all three games, making it the definitive Total War: Warhammer experience. So, the long-term strategy should always be to acquire all three games to access the complete experience.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some common questions players have about starting the Total War: Warhammer journey:
1. Do I need Total Warhammer 1 to play Total Warhammer 2?
No, you do not need it. Warhammer 2 is a standalone game.
2. Is Total War Warhammer 2 beginner-friendly?
It can be. The Vortex campaign provides a relatively structured and tutorialized experience. However, the difficulty can vary depending on the faction you choose and the difficulty setting.
3. What is the best Total Warhammer game to start with?
Warhammer 2 is often recommended due to its improved mechanics and tutorialization.
4. Do I have to play Total War Warhammer 1 and 2 before 3?
No, you don’t have to, but you’ll miss out on the Immortal Empires campaign in Warhammer 3 if you don’t own the previous games.
5. Can I play Mortal Empires without Warhammer 1 installed?
Yes, you can play Mortal Empires as long as you own Warhammer 1 in your Steam library. You don’t need to have it installed.
6. Do I need to install Warhammer 1 and 2 for 3?
No, you don’t. Warhammer 3 will detect that you own the previous games and unlock their content.
7. Can I play Warhammer 1 campaign in Warhammer 2?
No, you can’t play the campaign directly. However, owning both games unlocks the Mortal Empires campaign, which includes factions and units from Warhammer 1.
8. Is it worth buying Warhammer 1 for Mortal Empires?
Absolutely, if you enjoy Warhammer 2 and want a much larger and more diverse campaign. The value increases even more when considering Warhammer 3 and the Immortal Empires campaign.
9. What is the difference between Total War 1 and 2?
Warhammer 1 focuses on the Old World and the threat of Chaos. Warhammer 2 focuses on the New World and the Great Vortex. Both games feature different factions and campaigns.
10. Can you combine Total War: Warhammer 1 and 2?
Yes, through the Mortal Empires campaign in Warhammer 2.
11. Can I uninstall Warhammer 1 and 2 after buying Warhammer 3?
Yes, you can. Warhammer 3 will detect that you own the previous games and unlock their content.
12. Can you only confederate once in Warhammer 2?
You can only confederate every five turns due to the public order and diplomatic penalties incurred.
13. Is Warhammer too complicated?
The Total War: Warhammer games can seem daunting at first, but the core mechanics are relatively straightforward. The complexity comes from mastering the different factions and strategic options.
14. Is Total War: Warhammer a prequel to 40K?
No, Total War: Warhammer is based on the Warhammer Fantasy Battle setting, while Warhammer 40K is a separate science fiction setting. Both are owned by Games Workshop.
15. How long to beat Total War: Warhammer 1?
The main campaign in Warhammer 1 takes around 34 hours to complete. Completionists can expect to spend significantly more time.
Ultimately, the Total War: Warhammer series offers a vast and rewarding experience. By understanding the differences between the games and considering your own preferences, you can make an informed decision about where to start your journey into the Old World and beyond.