Empire: Total War

 PC
  • Publisher: Sega
  • Release Date: Mar 3, 2009
User Score
7.0

Mixed or average reviews- based on 3194 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1,895 out of 3194
  2. Mixed: 545 out of 3194
  3. Negative: 754 out of 3194
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  1. SamuelHiller
    May 31, 2023
    10
    Easily my favorite total war game, it’s set during one of the most fascinating points in human history and the mechanics feel far more intuitive than shogun 2 or Rome 2.
  2. strangermoon
    May 24, 2023
    8
    empire tw have great potensial over legedanry mediveal 2 but miss the potenisal greatly. game focuses sea battle and gun play more than nations maps and close combat. ottomans here compared mw2 feels west nastinon. some untis like normal janssary use sword but every nation mostly gun focused untis more. maps also feels much smaller. less cityies. game simply go too forward on time beempire tw have great potensial over legedanry mediveal 2 but miss the potenisal greatly. game focuses sea battle and gun play more than nations maps and close combat. ottomans here compared mw2 feels west nastinon. some untis like normal janssary use sword but every nation mostly gun focused untis more. maps also feels much smaller. less cityies. game simply go too forward on time be good history total war game.… Expand
  3. Zyr_S19
    Jul 25, 2022
    10
    Самая лучшая часть серии. Доработали все огрехи и недостатки из прошлых частей
  4. sanyos
    Jun 8, 2022
    9
    Excellent game! So many possibilities to evolve your empire hehe I don't like only naval fights - it's so chaotic and ai has advantages against the user. You have to control every step of every ship from 20 in your army on the battleground because without this control your fleet is too silly. If you click only attack then with 99% chance your ship will ruin everything
  5. rezo_21
    Sep 19, 2021
    8
    ====================IIIIIIIIII GAME SCORE : 80 IIIIIIIIII====================
  6. Nikitosss95
    Feb 13, 2021
    8
    It’s a decent total war game, though I feel like there is a gap between M2TW and ETW not just in terms of quality, but also in terms of historical continuity, there is no total war game that covers the period of late renaissance and baroque period (30 years war would be particularly interesting topic to cover); nevertheless I think that it deserves higher rating than 7 points
  7. AlvarezCrack
    Sep 7, 2019
    8
    Gran juego de estrategia, las naciones que recomiendo para jugar serian España o Prusia. Eso si después de jugar algunas veces con diferentes facciones (diría 30 horas) cansa, pero no se preocupen que para eso están los mods, que están muy buenos, como el DarthMod o el Ultimate Empire HG.
    Tienen horas garantizadas con este juego (490 y aun lo juego xd), eso sí, no está bien optimizado por    Gran juego de estrategia, las naciones que recomiendo para jugar serian España o Prusia. Eso si después de jugar algunas veces con diferentes facciones (diría 30 horas) cansa, pero no se preocupen que para eso están los mods, que están muy buenos, como el DarthMod o el Ultimate Empire HG.
    Tienen horas garantizadas con este juego (490 y aun lo juego xd), eso sí, no está bien optimizado por momentos, así que espérate bajones o que se ponga bien lento cada cierto tiempo, después de eso no encontraras mayores dificultades, es un juego relativamente fácil de aprender si nunca habías jugado algo así antes.    … Expand
  8. Sandro86
    May 17, 2019
    8
    It's in not bad just not as good as Total War: Rome. I really didn't enjoy naval battles.
  9. Yurchik
    Mar 2, 2019
    10
    Game cool! I've only played in Rome: Total War before. Maybe because of this and liked that he played only two, but the battles at sea I was pleasantly surprised! I do not regret that bought. The game is very interesting.
  10. MinehDerp
    Nov 11, 2018
    10
    In my opinion, this game is a masterpiece. I will explain why in a few categories:

    Price: Great value for what you get in this game. Difficulty: Very easy to learn, and great for newcomers to the total war series. Gameplay duration: There is no end. (coming from someone with 227 hours) Graphics: For the time, pretty good. Not many bugs, and AI rarely acts idiotic    In my opinion, this game is a masterpiece. I will explain why in a few categories:

    Price:
    Great value for what you get in this game.

    Difficulty:
    Very easy to learn, and great for newcomers to the total war series.

    Gameplay duration:
    There is no end. (coming from someone with 227 hours)

    Graphics:
    For the time, pretty good. Not many bugs, and AI rarely acts idiotic

    Gameplay:
    I'm going to take a while on this section. You have many options for the gameplay. First, you have the battles. You can either do land, sea, or siege battles. The are many maps, and really fun to command thousands of troops. You can even pop into some real-life scenarios. Including the Battle of Brandywine Creek in the US revolution. Then, you have the campaigns. There is one set campaign, Road to Independence. Which you start in Jamestown, Virginia and go through to Seven Years War and the revolutionary war, including battles against the Powhattans in Jamestown and the Battle Of Bunker Hill. Then. You have the Grand Campaign. You can either play as Great Britain, Spain, Russia, the Ottoman Empire, France, Sweden, Martha Confederacy, Prussia, United Provinces, Poland-Lithuania, and Austria. You take control of that nation and its armies and conquer the world. The AI is non-historic, so it can make for fun and funny gameplay. (In one instance, Austria captured Mexico and Nicaragua xD). One more gameplay option to go: Multiplayer. I haven't played multiplayer though, so i can't judge it :p.

    Replay-ability:
    As you can tell from my 227 hours, this game is very replayable.

    DLC:
    Haven't bought; Can't judge

    In conclusion:
    9.5/10. Very excellent game. I'd recommend it to people of ages 10+. With amazing gameplay, fair graphics, much content, and overall very worth it, I recommend it to you who is reading right now. Thanks for reading my review!    … Expand
  11. iddqd4
    Mar 16, 2018
    8
    Этот текст здесь для того что бы оценка отобразилась в моем профиле.
  12. Cech
    May 16, 2017
    10
    Одна из двух лучших стратегий в истории игр

    Не считаю, что рядом с "Империей" и её предшественником "Наполеоном" (вторая лучшая стратегия в истории игр) что-то может даже рядом стоять Тут можно захватить мир и это не выглядит так скучно и нелепо как в "Цивилизации" (не считаю её плохой, но как стратегия слабее в разы) Несколько кампаний, исторические и неисторические события по    Одна из двух лучших стратегий в истории игр

    Не считаю, что рядом с "Империей" и её предшественником "Наполеоном" (вторая лучшая стратегия в истории игр) что-то может даже рядом стоять

    Тут можно захватить мир и это не выглядит так скучно и нелепо как в "Цивилизации" (не считаю её плохой, но как стратегия слабее в разы)

    Несколько кампаний, исторические и неисторические события по вашему желанию. Герои - вполне реальные правители, генералы, адмиралы, министры и, возможно, представители спецслужб.

    В ней есть всё, что мы любим
    - война: эпичные битвы на земле и моркие баталии;
    - отношения: торговля, коалиции, убеждения, угрозы, подкуп и коварство;
    - красивый внешний вид;
    - разнообразные локации;
    - есть место для ролевого отыгрыша;
    - строительство поселений; (привет, Тодд)
    - прокачка, исследования, апгрейд;
    - шпионаж, религиозный бунт и даже государственный переворот, и я не всё в силах перечислить.    … Expand
  13. TemplarGR
    Sep 9, 2016
    10
    The best Total war, the pinnacle of the series. One of the rare occasions where official reviewers scored it right.

    Don't get me wrong, the launch was attrocious, i remember it clearly, i had pre-ordered it. And CA should pay for this blatant disregard for the customer. But as a game, this was a masterpiece. And today, after the patches it received, it is perfectly playable and fun.    The best Total war, the pinnacle of the series. One of the rare occasions where official reviewers scored it right.

    Don't get me wrong, the launch was attrocious, i remember it clearly, i had pre-ordered it. And CA should pay for this blatant disregard for the customer. But as a game, this was a masterpiece. And today, after the patches it received, it is perfectly playable and fun.

    Many people don't seem to appreciate this game, because they were used to the more arcade-y battles of previous installments. You know, just click on units and charge!. Well, Empire Total War does a really good job with its battle system, portraing the battles of its era. You need proper tactics, and positioning is key. Morale is everything.

    The battles are more chess-like, like in real life Napoleonic-era battles. You need to take care of not breaking your battlelines, while breaking the opponents, causing morale shocks, and eventually routing him. This takes knowledge of how the units work, and how to position your units properly.

    I write these things because many people think this game had bad battles, because they tried to play those battles like Medieval II and Rome. I did at first too, i know.

    In the end, this is the best gunpowder era game we have. If you love maskets and cannons, and want a really great empire management game with cool tactical battles, this game is for you.

    This was much better than Rome and Medieval II, Napoleon and Shogun II began the downward spiral of casualisation. This spiral began because people complained about Empire. Careful what you wish for people, you didn't like the realism of Empire, Rome II is what you eventually got.    … Expand
  14. Atilla1456
    Aug 30, 2016
    9
    An amazing game, one of the best in the Total War series and my personal favorite. The game runs very smoothly and gives interesting gameplay, allowing players to use different playstyles with different nations. Each nation offers unique gameplay. Overall, I am impressed with this and give it 9/10 rating. The game could be a bit more historical, although I understand the game was not meantAn amazing game, one of the best in the Total War series and my personal favorite. The game runs very smoothly and gives interesting gameplay, allowing players to use different playstyles with different nations. Each nation offers unique gameplay. Overall, I am impressed with this and give it 9/10 rating. The game could be a bit more historical, although I understand the game was not meant to be played in all ways historically.… Expand
  15. RaminGray
    May 7, 2016
    10
    i am sorry about people's that have negatived review to this nice game . unfortunately some of player can't wait and think carefully . these games are not exited to them because not action .and so puzzle work to do . you have to command ,role ,economy terms ,also you have to change the history , this people's don't know how to play then comes and write about rts games . i have beeni am sorry about people's that have negatived review to this nice game . unfortunately some of player can't wait and think carefully . these games are not exited to them because not action .and so puzzle work to do . you have to command ,role ,economy terms ,also you have to change the history , this people's don't know how to play then comes and write about rts games . i have been playing rts games from 1995 until now and the Empire:total war is the best rts game on 2009 .… Expand
  16. Redwarrior1up
    Sep 11, 2015
    8
    One of the better entries into the Total War series, it has its highs and lows.

    Pros: The game finally opened the world map with the base game although some earlier adaptations had given peaks into the Americas and other areas. The expanded unit selection felt greatly improved over most games in the series who offered only a few unit types with little difference in play style. Cons:    One of the better entries into the Total War series, it has its highs and lows.

    Pros: The game finally opened the world map with the base game although some earlier adaptations had given peaks into the Americas and other areas. The expanded unit selection felt greatly improved over most games in the series who offered only a few unit types with little difference in play style.

    Cons: The AI will anger most people to no end, for something as simple as colonial era line infantry you'd think it'd be easy to nail down decent mechanics, most units will get the job done for combat but its very immersion breaking. Campaigns in this game are rather bland after a certain point and you quickly get locked into a system of being drawn into pseudo world wars, where in trade is useless and you're only option for profitability is to conquer your neighboring territories leading to a larger world war.

    All in all its a decent game that fell short of what it could've delivered.    … Expand
  17. PisiEfendi
    Jul 23, 2015
    10
    Perfect game. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  18. Hardcard
    Apr 11, 2015
    9
    I'll review Empire:Total War v1.5 plus all DLCs.

    Like a lot of people here I discovered the Total War series with Rome:TW, back in 2005. After ten years of playing every title Creative Assembly has released, I think Empire:TW has all the necessary elements to claim the throne of the Total War saga. Its attention to detail and richness of features is remarkable. Powerful ships of    I'll review Empire:Total War v1.5 plus all DLCs.

    Like a lot of people here I discovered the Total War series with Rome:TW, back in 2005.
    After ten years of playing every title Creative Assembly has released, I think Empire:TW has all the necessary elements to claim the throne of the Total War saga. Its attention to detail and richness of features is remarkable.

    Powerful ships of the line, pirates, best sea battles ever, commerce all around the globe, profitable trade lanes, plenty of colonies, very useful technology research options, musketeers of all kinds and the first riflemen, devastating artillery, classical music, very interesting historical announcements, silly mustaches, wigs and uniforms, great graphics, details and effects, gunpowder and smoke everywhere, etc. If you have a craving for these things, Empire:TW is just the thing you are looking for.

    This game separates itself from the rest of TW titles (except for Shogun II and perhaps Rome II in certain aspects) with respect to naval commerce and battles, regions on the map, types of agents, unit replenishment, building options and tech tree
    If you are used to the endless building options from Rome:TW or Medieval II:TW, you'll find Empire:TW a tad simplistic in this regard, but the amount of amazing stuff this game has to offer compensates for it. Don't get me wrong, you can still build a fair number of different buildings in both cities and towns, but the assortment has been reduced in comparison (cosmetic buildings have been eliminated, which is a good thing, if you ask me).
    Empire:TW is all about smart diplomacy, a strong navy, colonization, trade, trade and yet more trade.
    Trade lanes can be raided by fleets, damaging the economy and, for the first time in TW, the blockade of a major commercial port (connecting you to your colonies and major trade partners) can lead to disaster.
    In Rome/Medieval II you could conquer most of the campaign map without a decent navy, that's not the case in Empire:TW... without a strong navy you can't secure trade lanes, can't defend your ports, can't transport invasion forces safely, etc. Besides, you'll be missing one of the best things in the game: naval battles between frigates, galleons, brigs, sloops, etc.
    In Rome II:TW I usually autoresolve naval battles because they are pretty dumb and broken, but in Empire:TW I just can't stop commanding my fleets personally, positioning my ships for a deadly broadside, taking the wind into account, surrounding the enemy fleet, boarding enemy ships and capturing them when they are worth it, fighting pirates in the Caribbean, researching technologies to improve my fleet, it's exhilarating!!! Graphics and effects are pretty good too, even for 2015. I can't get enough naval battles in Empire:TW, I'm totally addicted... Every time my first /second rate ships of the line fire their three decks of heavy cannons at the enemy, I feel a unique excitement. The sound of the cannons, the smoke from the gunpowder, the wooden hulls being splintered, the sails being ripped, the masts being broken...as I said, graphics and effects are great, naval battles are thrilling and feel quite realistic, also, strategy is essential, which finishes the package.

    What about the regular land battles? Well, effects and graphics are great too, the unit firing dynamics is amazing too, specially after researching milestone technologies like "fire in ranks", "platoon fire" and others. It's awesome to see how the first rank of soldiers crouches after firing, so the second rank can fire right after, and then the third one. The musket sounds, the gunpowder smoke, units being decimated by enemy fire, etc., it's just awesome. Not to mention the artillery, mortars and howitzers are specially deadly when loaded with special kinds of ammo, which needs to be researched too.
    Strategy is vital here too, which also finishes the package nicely.

    Research is conducted in special buildings (schools, colleges, universities) and can be accelerated using gentlemen (agents than can duel other agents, steal technologies or research them), technologies can be exchanged with other nations through diplomacy, which is great.

    Diplomacy options are more complete than in previous TW titles.
    Several buildings can be constructed in specific landmarks outside major cities.
    Ministers can be sacked if they are incompetent.
    Units can be replenished almost everywhere and can also be separated from their parent army.

    To summarize, Empire:TW is a delight to play, specially if you have a craving for this historical period.

    As always, TW titles are vastly improved using mods, in this case I recommend DarthMod.
    It introduces tons of improvements, several new units, increased income from settlements and trade, graphical improvements, AI improvements, new awesome classical music and themes, etc.    … Expand
  19. rangermankin
    Sep 25, 2014
    10
    Empire: Total War is an amazingly vast and epic journey that spans the globe more than any of its predecessors or children. Want to invade India, mount war elephants and then ship them to the US to prevent the American revolution? Then do it! It was buggy and extremely frustrating (mainly because I was enjoying it so much) at first but after the tears of patches it runs well and you canEmpire: Total War is an amazingly vast and epic journey that spans the globe more than any of its predecessors or children. Want to invade India, mount war elephants and then ship them to the US to prevent the American revolution? Then do it! It was buggy and extremely frustrating (mainly because I was enjoying it so much) at first but after the tears of patches it runs well and you can finish an epic 150 hour game with no problem. It's inexpensive and thrilling. If you like history, strategy, and real time tactical combat on a massive scale then get it and judge for your self.… Expand
  20. pierrem
    Sep 25, 2014
    8
    Without the bugs, this game would deserve 10. At its launch it was but a lousy beta, but now, without the crash and slowings in siege battles, it would be perfect. Anyway this game proved that CA is unable to deliver anything but a beta on release date.
  21. Mr_Bismark
    Sep 13, 2014
    8
    First off this game requires a powerful computer in order for the game not to lag so badly. This game is literally addicting and contains many campaigns and scenarios to choose from. The main American campaign should be played to get an understanding of the game and to get used to the controls in a battle and economic management. The map is huge divided into 3 main theaters of NorthFirst off this game requires a powerful computer in order for the game not to lag so badly. This game is literally addicting and contains many campaigns and scenarios to choose from. The main American campaign should be played to get an understanding of the game and to get used to the controls in a battle and economic management. The map is huge divided into 3 main theaters of North America(Doesn't have the western United States but compensates with parts of South America), India , and Europe( Contains a small part of Northern Africa). The overall pros of this games are the huge near global map, 10ish nations (campaigns) to play as and a difficulty setting of easy to insane, religion plays a role, unexpected moves from allies,neutral, or enemy nations while in game, graphics are very good if you have a high resolution. The cons which are minor are the unrealistic time from which when you click end turn it takes 6 game months,Rare bugs,and a long wait time for other nations to take their turns because of the large amount of nations which can take 1 to 2 minutes when placed in fast forward. Overall Best Strategy game I have ever play with little to no bugs and it's very addicting with so many scenarios.… Expand
  22. Lucelin
    Aug 22, 2014
    8
    Empire Total War is my Favorite to play of the Total war series, including Shogun 2, and Rome 2. The first of the series to include real time naval combat, and what a great job they have done. The game looks beautiful and its combat mechanics are sound.

    There are still a few issues particularly with cavalry, (as there are with all the total wars so far), with the units splitting up over    Empire Total War is my Favorite to play of the Total war series, including Shogun 2, and Rome 2. The first of the series to include real time naval combat, and what a great job they have done. The game looks beautiful and its combat mechanics are sound.

    There are still a few issues particularly with cavalry, (as there are with all the total wars so far), with the units splitting up over a large area and not staying in cohesion, particularly when chasing down routing enemies. Have had the odd bug where both reinforcement troops for player and PC wont completely come onto the map and therefore are there but cannot be controlled.

    The game does use massive resources and load times are a little longer than i would like, but with graphics turned right down, is acceptable. Like all the total war games, I am not so fussed with graphics but absolutely adore the game play.

    The introduction of the technology tree is an interesting addition to the game that I'm not particularly for or against but does add some depth. Improvements have been made in diplomacy and trade as well but still not quite where i wold like to see them.

    I want to be able to tell another country to make peace with an enemy not just declare war.

    Empire Total War is a massive leap forward for the franchise for the time and overall is a massive success. Thank You Creative Assembly    … Expand
  23. Jomanponer
    Jun 9, 2014
    10
    Not sure what everyone is complaining about, I thought this game was fun as hell. Good unit selection, nice size maps, long and satisfying campaign, good campaign plot or story as well. Very fun multiplayer just alot of fun in general. Things I would have liked is that I found that their was limited carnage. When I play the other total wars their is destruction everywhere and it feelsNot sure what everyone is complaining about, I thought this game was fun as hell. Good unit selection, nice size maps, long and satisfying campaign, good campaign plot or story as well. Very fun multiplayer just alot of fun in general. Things I would have liked is that I found that their was limited carnage. When I play the other total wars their is destruction everywhere and it feels real, which I want in empire total war however its a a few scattered bodies in a huge map, and I think more melee units would be nice.… Expand
  24. Efa
    Apr 18, 2014
    10
    My undisputed favorite from the Total War series.
    Only complaint is the AI's inability to conduct naval invasions of other land masses + India.
    Great economy, scale and the best style of naval combat from any of the games.
  25. Casual_gamer
    Mar 31, 2014
    10
    I truly like this game very much! Its a pitty there are so few players anymore, its difficult to get a hold on a multiplayer battle nowadays. Huge replayablity value.
  26. eblaster
    Mar 25, 2014
    10
    based on other reviews i thought the game was bad but then i got it i love its my favorite game lots of people say its bad well i dont its a great game for people that like strategy and war.
  27. total
    Jan 27, 2014
    10
    It is a great game highly recommend it too series fans and newcomers alike. The only problem I have with it is the diplomacy. That is one of the biggest problem that is in all of the total war games. Why don't outer country's want too trade? also one outer thing. This is a great single player but if you want online
    Napoleon: Total War is much better online game then this one. In    It is a great game highly recommend it too series fans and newcomers alike. The only problem I have with it is the diplomacy. That is one of the biggest problem that is in all of the total war games. Why don't outer country's want too trade? also one outer thing. This is a great single player but if you want online
    Napoleon: Total War is much better online game then this one. In Napoleon The graphics are way better, there are more maps to play on and there a lot more units to use in battle.

    On the outer hand Empire way better in single player then Napoleon. In Empire the map is way bigger, a lot more factions to play as and you have a lot more freedom. In Napoleon you have to go by what they did in history in Empire you don't. So you want a vary good single player get this one but if you want a vary online Napoleon Total War is the one to go with    … Expand
  28. maor4774
    Jan 23, 2014
    9
    this game is one of the best in the total war sries, the map is huge and with many nations to play, the battles from india to america and all around europe make you fell like you are in the 1700s, it is one of the best RTS games i have ever played, it have few problems like the not so good AI, and the minor bugs but in the it a great game and every RTS fan sould love it.
  29. sacredzak
    Jan 14, 2014
    10
    All I need to say is....... BEST GAME EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  30. EnNombreDeDios
    Dec 21, 2013
    10
    MAJOR improvement over the past total wars! nothing to complain best rts in its year... great campain map,, realy HUGE, many different units, each faction has its own special units etc, also improved diplomatic (still not the best but ok) AI sucks somtimes but its decent and realy improved again.
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Awards & Rankings

5
#5 Best PC Game of 2009
3
#3 Most Discussed PC Game of 2009
6
#6 Most Shared PC Game of 2009

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
90

Universal acclaim - based on 62 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 61 out of 62
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 62
  3. Negative: 0 out of 62
  1. PC Gamer UK
    94
    Astonishing...Immense... A strategy masterwork. [Mar 2009, p.54]
    Read full review
  2. Eurogamer
    90
    In some ways, it's the closest we've come to the enormous social novel from the period after that which Empire chronicles: it's a Tolstoy-esque War and Peace of a game. Its problems may be the inevitable problems of trying something with such sheer scope. As such, if you want the breathtaking vision of the game, you have to accept the flaws in the details - for now, at least.
    Read full review
  3. InsideGamer.nl
    93
    This is the best Total War game thanks to all the little tweaks. Sometimes little differences make a good game great. The battles ask of you that you think more about your actions and managing your empire never was easier. The sea battles are fun to watch, but are a little hard to control. Nevertheless, Empire: Total War is a game that can make you forget about the time.
    Read full review
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