Total War: WARHAMMER Review
Addictive turn-based empire-building with colossal, real-time battles, set against the backdrop of epic fantasy lore.
last updated Jul 30, 2024
Total War: WARHAMMER possesses the addictive allure of grand strategy amidst the rich fantasy lore that fans adore.
Gameplay: Learn to Control the Chaos
Total War: WARHAMMER is like that overly complex board game that your friends insist on playing but you just can’t quite wrap your head around at first. It's the grand strategy title that combines realms of turn-based empire management with the chaotic thrill of real-time battles — and it demands your patience like a pet cat demanding treats at 3 AM. One of the most admirable aspects is the diverse factions, each with its own unique mechanics, allowing you to experience different strategies and play styles. However, be prepared for a steep learning curve that can often feel like a metaphorical wall of bricks; get ready for the ol' 'you'll learn the hard way' approach where trial-and-error reign supreme. Yet somehow, amid the losses and humiliation, players find themselves hooked, whispering sweet nothings to their armies, convinced that next time, victory is just around the corner.
Audio: The Distant Roars of Dragonfire and Battle Hymns
The audio in Total War: WARHAMMER serves as more than just background noise; it’s the pulse that drives your epic conquests and catastrophic defeats. Each faction brings its own unique sounds — whether it's the synchronized clanging of metal from your dwarven armies or the eerie chants from your undead hordes, they all come together to create an immersive auditory experience. The soundtrack is vast and varied, perfectly complementing the highs of glorious victories and the lows of tragic defeats, making you feel each battle in your bones. However, there are moments when the sounds can falter due to performance dips during massive battles, where your ear is treated to an orchestra of glitches and chaos rather than a grand symphony. Still, this doesn’t take away from the overall engaging and thematic aural landscape that enhances your strategic whims.
Graphics: A Visual Feat with Room for Improvement
Visually, Total War: WARHAMMER is one of those games that can make you gasp in awe as gigantic monsters stomp across lush battlefields and armies clash in epic formations. The art style pays homage to the grainy lore of the Warhammer universe, making each race feel distinctively alive—except, of course, when your computer decides to crash the party. Performance can stumble under the weight of enormous battles, leading to lag and longer load times that tear you away from your hard-fought campaigns. While the visuals are undoubtedly impressive, the age of the game does show, and it might leave you yearning for a graphical facelift that only future iterations seem to bring. Still, for those willing to overlook these aesthetics in pursuit of glory, the eye candy remains a treat, capturing the essence of a world filled with epic lore and treacherous battles.
Community and Content: The Unending Quest for More
While many players have embraced Total War: WARHAMMER with open arms, the community stands in stark contrast to the game's sheer potential, as frustrations over the pricing and availability of DLC often mar the experience. Newcomers may find it disheartening when they realize the content avalanche awaiting them comes with a hefty price tag — one that feels painfully steep for an 8-year-old game. Still, there's something delightfully nostalgic about soaring videos of massive armies clashing amidst the backdrop of the Warhammer universe. Replaying campaigns with different factions laces the game with high replayability, though the desire for additional quality-of-life features resonates through the forums. More than ever, the thrill of playing THW: WARHAMMER becomes a double-edged sword: richly fulfilling yet occasionally frustrating as you navigate the ecosystem of epic strategy.
STEAM RATING
Developer
CREATIVE ASSEMBLY, Feral Interactive (Linux), Feral Interactive (Mac)
Publisher
SEGA, Feral Interactive (Linux), Feral Interactive (Mac)
Release Date
May 24, 2016
A Chaotic Yet Rewarding Experience
Total War: WARHAMMER possesses the addictive allure of grand strategy amidst the rich fantasy lore that fans adore. While quirks and performance issues linger like old castle ghost stories, the game delivers an expansive and engaging experience that entices players to hone their skills in the chaotic world of Warhammer. Just make sure you're prepared for the rollercoaster ride that awaits both in game mechanics and your bank account.