Napoleon: Total War Critic Reviews

The cannon may be the final argument of kings. But the Total War series is undoubtedly the king of the real time strategy genre - and Napoleon: Total War could very well be Creative Assembly’s crowning jewel.

Visually stunning high-strategy from the masters of the genre.

Total War is a come back for the Total War series: after the uncertain step of Empire, we now are in front of a wonderful game, one with great gameplay. Walking in the shoes of Napoleon is a dream for every strategist and being able to do it in such a game is fantastic. Multiplayer is the icing on the cake.

While the game retells the campaigns of its namesake in somewhat linear fashion, developers The Creative Assembly have retouched and introduced a number of new gameplay mechanics that create a much more intricate experience than any Total War game to date.

Napoleon: Total War doesn't redefine Total War but that was never its intention. The bottom line is that Napoleon: Total War is a must have for all who like those dashing battles of the 19th century.

Whether or not you can forgive CA for 'pulling a Valve' is up to you, but please don't blame the game itself - this is a worthwhile experience and well worth the money in reality, if not in principle.

Napoleon: Total War doesn't topple Empire: TW, but the new setting sets you back in the Napoleon Wars. The game is really worth a look.

More totally brilliant Total War as the strategy stalwart delivers arguably its strongest showing.

Napoleon is an enjoyable addition to the Total War franchise but it's not as a big a game changer as previous sequels. While Napoleon and his armies were probably every bit as terrifying as Mongols, Vikings or Barbarians, the scope of this sequel is a bit more limited.

Tightened engine.

SEGA made good use of the experience made with Empire to improve its RTS formula, resulting in a more effective gameplay. Although Napoleon: Total War has its shortcomings – even with the AI – it still manages to keep the player involved throughout, thanks to its thoroughness and rather accurate historical setting.

Napoleon: Total War may not rewrite history, but its subtle gameplay refinements, tactical variety, and new multiplayer campaign do more than enough to offset the litany of legacy issues hindering this otherwise impressive strategy game.

With huge campaigns and multiple gameplay options, you won't be finished with Napoleon until the next Total War game is released.

It's a far tighter package than Empire was.

Napoleon is a game of land battles, continental conquests and European power struggles. This was an incredibly rich backdrop that inspired numerous writers and composers, one of whom is Beethoven and is featured in game’s phenomenal soundtrack. That I happen to sink a minimum of three or four hours every time I click on the icon is another reason why it’s an enjoyable game.

Despite the lack of artificial intelligence and the more closed campaign structure, Napoleon: Total War has dozens of small and big new features, nice multiplayer options and a new approach to the series.

Even when the graphics aren’t up to date anymore, Napoleon: Total War is a great add-on to one of the best strategy games ever. Especially the drop in battles is very exciting.

Napoleon Total War is a great RTS game, an incredible homage to the real french emperor. With great gameplay, and several game modes for single player and multiplayer, it's a great addition to the series. But it relies heavily on the basics of Empire Total War, so it feels a bit held back due to the lack of real improvements.

If you are looking for improvement and advance in the Empire: Total War formula, Napoleon is not your game. But if you are looking for a great RTS gameplay and an amazing on-line experience –skirmishes- this is your game.

This new chapter in the total War saga brings a new level of historic detail to the RTS and turn based strategy games, polishing a lot of flaws of the recent Empire. Although the much more detailed and intriguing campaign and the new online campaign features do not suffice to not make it look like a huge update rather than a brand-new game. An awesome update, but we should expect something more from a full release of the franchise.