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. AdamW
    Jun 22, 2009
    8
    Very good game but not with out its bugs, most of them have been fixed in patches and post release patches have been good including new units added to the game.
  2. NathanW.
    Jul 9, 2009
    8
    The total war game series is probably the best RTS game I've ever played. At first I thought medieval was the best thing ever but when this came out it blew medieval away. Empire:total war has the best graphics AI deaths and unit control system out of all the RTS I've played before except maybe universe at war on unit control. One of its best features is the new campaign map The total war game series is probably the best RTS game I've ever played. At first I thought medieval was the best thing ever but when this came out it blew medieval away. Empire:total war has the best graphics AI deaths and unit control system out of all the RTS I've played before except maybe universe at war on unit control. One of its best features is the new campaign map with the fact that it,1, has the buildings outside of the towns which I think is more realistic and,2, that there is three theaters of war, India, North America, and Europe. The only reason I gave it a eight is that in single and multiplayer battles there isn't very many factions to choose from and I dont want to have to get a mod just to play a faction. Also, the faction's units are so similar and that it doesnt show the factions strengths and weaknesses, its not a important feature but its fun to know and could help when choosing a faction. Lastly, when you kill a faction in campaign their not playable, thats what gave me more of a reason to kill them off in medieval. Oh and I never patched and it never crashed or anything except once and because my pc had a virus.… Expand
  3. zanzabar
    Nov 11, 2009
    8
    This game is all about the MP experience but unfortunately it was gutted and coming from cod4 its a huge downgrade, using a p2p connection and rotating the server on a persons computer laggs and forces at least a 150ms ping but also limits the game to 9v9, removes user generated maps and has no mod kit. this is unaceptable for a game thats purchased for MP only.
  4. EzraY.
    Nov 17, 2009
    8
    Well, for all those who are complaining about how ETW is so buggy... I have this thing, to say: it can't be helped! ETW is a big step for CA, dropping swords for muskets, which means that ETW is the prototype for Napolean Total War. To prove this point, Shogun was the prototype for Medieval just as Rome was for Medieval 2. So even though it is still buggy, but it is still a Total War Well, for all those who are complaining about how ETW is so buggy... I have this thing, to say: it can't be helped! ETW is a big step for CA, dropping swords for muskets, which means that ETW is the prototype for Napolean Total War. To prove this point, Shogun was the prototype for Medieval just as Rome was for Medieval 2. So even though it is still buggy, but it is still a Total War title. I would expect Napolean Total War to be much more better and also lesser buggy since CA would have solved most of the bugs by then. Anyone who gives a '0' to a game that deserves at least a 7 doesn't know how much work is required to make such a game.… Expand
  5. NicholasF
    Dec 16, 2009
    8
    very fun and challenging game. a bit harder to get into than medival ii or rome, because of the busy-ness of the map and new features to get used to (polotics, more buildings per region, ect. ) but a very fun game.
  6. AndresV
    Mar 11, 2009
    8
    Do I have to write a review? Well, let me say that I really enjoy this game. I bought it through steam but have had no problems due to that fact. The naval combat is a lot of fun. The battle music can get a little annoying after a while. Many of the other poor reviews I've read simply haven't applied to my experience though. All I can say is that you should buy it if you have Do I have to write a review? Well, let me say that I really enjoy this game. I bought it through steam but have had no problems due to that fact. The naval combat is a lot of fun. The battle music can get a little annoying after a while. Many of the other poor reviews I've read simply haven't applied to my experience though. All I can say is that you should buy it if you have enjoyed any of the other Total War series. If you havent tried any of the others, why even Rome is still fun. I play it modded still, you should try the previous ones first because they are cheaper. But otherwise it is alot of fun this new one.… Expand
  7. ML
    Mar 13, 2009
    8
    This is an amising game, but i expected more of it. I find he turns to be short, despite the large campain map. Naval battles get very chaotic very fast. Some people complain the AI will never transport troups over seas. I have founs this to be false as i was i got attacked by the french while playing the brittish. The AI pathfinding might seem terrible, but when u think about it, u see This is an amising game, but i expected more of it. I find he turns to be short, despite the large campain map. Naval battles get very chaotic very fast. Some people complain the AI will never transport troups over seas. I have founs this to be false as i was i got attacked by the french while playing the brittish. The AI pathfinding might seem terrible, but when u think about it, u see wat their trying to acomplish, wich is not much and could still use alot of improvements. The techtree, land battles in general the addition of sea battles and small towns are great. I have seen very litle bugs and crashes.The historaical acuracy could be beter. I find M2TW and Rome to be more "user friendly"(in lack of beter words). I realy liked the family tree in rome and medieval, wich has been remooved. I hope in the first expantion pact they will fix most of these problems and include the erly XIXth century and a seperate campain simular to the road to independance, but based on the napoleonic war.… Expand
  8. NickW
    Mar 24, 2009
    8
    A fairly solid game that could use a little polish. Campaign AI is meak and the ship AI is even worse. Rakes, the assassination and spy unit, are quite weak and have a very low probability at succeeding in their task - making them quite unreliable. Sea battles are very hard to control, which is suprising considering that the land battles are so intuitive. I have to say, the focus on A fairly solid game that could use a little polish. Campaign AI is meak and the ship AI is even worse. Rakes, the assassination and spy unit, are quite weak and have a very low probability at succeeding in their task - making them quite unreliable. Sea battles are very hard to control, which is suprising considering that the land battles are so intuitive. I have to say, the focus on Firearms makes this Total War far more exciting than previous titles and the tactics change accordingly. Melee still has its place however, which some of the most effective units belonging to this catagory.… Expand
  9. Karolis
    Apr 27, 2009
    8
    A great game, lacks some sound maybe. Because they weren't only playing drums while marching, there were flutes and all kinds of stuff. A bunch of bugs, and some balance issues. Overall a freakin awesome game! i bought it, and i suggest others to do it
  10. EmilH
    May 24, 2009
    8
    Game is good, but as with alot of new games they release them to early, crashed alot when i started playing which causes frustration.

    Read a previous guys review and he said the game was very unstable, i have a similar setup to him, i got a Q6600 @ 3.4ghz 8gb of ram and a 4870X2, i run the game at max settings with 8AA at 1680x1050 and i have seen no lagg so far whatsoever, and i have    Game is good, but as with alot of new games they release them to early, crashed alot when i started playing which causes frustration.

    Read a previous guys review and he said the game was very unstable, i have a similar setup to him, i got a Q6600 @ 3.4ghz 8gb of ram and a 4870X2, i run the game at max settings with 8AA at 1680x1050 and i have seen no lagg so far whatsoever, and i have unit scale turned up to huge. Check ur comp for viruses dude ;)    … Expand
  11. VictorN
    Jul 13, 2009
    8
    This game is great, don't get me wrong, but the bugs and glitches just ruined my overall experience with this game. However, the game is pretty enjoyable if you are willing to get past its problems, so I'm gonna give this an 8/10. But just because it's a great at its core.
  12. SterlingS
    Nov 17, 2009
    8
    With an overclocked core 2 duo, NVidia GTX 260 video card, and only 2 GB of DDR2 800 memory the game runs great (custom built on newegg). Then again, there were a lot of complaints about Vista (I use Vista Ultimate 64 bit), which I could only describe as pathetically easy to use. The game was buggy at its release, but now, if your still having severe problems, it is either your hardware With an overclocked core 2 duo, NVidia GTX 260 video card, and only 2 GB of DDR2 800 memory the game runs great (custom built on newegg). Then again, there were a lot of complaints about Vista (I use Vista Ultimate 64 bit), which I could only describe as pathetically easy to use. The game was buggy at its release, but now, if your still having severe problems, it is either your hardware or you (unless I just happen to have a fluke operating system/hardware setup that is superior to everyone else, which I know is not the case.) My advice would be to use your computer for necessary tasks and get a console for gaming if your not a computer nerd (yes, I called myself a nerd) because it really is your fault that the game is running like garbage. Computer games like Crysis and Empire: Total War are not for people who have cheap computers or don't know what they're doing. A GTX 260 makes PS3 or XBOX 360 video rendering look like garbage, but If you don't know what a GTX 260 is, buy a console and stick with it. This game is awesome.… Expand
  13. DrCola
    Nov 10, 2011
    8
    Dont give into the trolls, the bugs have been fixed, the games campaign is really immersed in tactical stratagems, in comparison to other RTS (that usually just have you click in rapid succession) I have played over 200 hours of this game, beaten it twice on hard and once on easy, you will constantly find yourself playing as different factions getting a different idea of the campaign, suchDont give into the trolls, the bugs have been fixed, the games campaign is really immersed in tactical stratagems, in comparison to other RTS (that usually just have you click in rapid succession) I have played over 200 hours of this game, beaten it twice on hard and once on easy, you will constantly find yourself playing as different factions getting a different idea of the campaign, such as how the dutch tend to win economically against their enemies while russia uses its huge space to slowly move out as a dominant super power, I will admit that the missions are more lame than in previous total war games, its not as polished as all the other total wars, but it brings in new stuff like sea battles, commanding your empire is easier than ever, take out the bugs and the user "totalwarfan" would be forced to bump this up to a 7 at least. But in retrospect, medieval 2 and empire are very different games, dont take it from the trolls that dont want to take the time to learn the endlessly complex game that is empire total war. They tried something new, and I like the new thing they did.… Expand
  14. keefbaker
    Nov 4, 2013
    8
    While I own most of the total war games they tend to not do much for me. This one was the exception really. Superb engine, great tech tree and atmosphere. Good stuff
  15. iceonfire1
    Dec 15, 2011
    8
    Meh. This game had a lot of potential, and that's probably a big part of the reason that it wasn't able to go through with all of it. Going down the list, everything was "fine." The strategy hadn't changed much, neither had pretty much anything else. The game was basically a polished version of Medieval II, which was a plus, but it came out shortly before Napoleon, which started theMeh. This game had a lot of potential, and that's probably a big part of the reason that it wasn't able to go through with all of it. Going down the list, everything was "fine." The strategy hadn't changed much, neither had pretty much anything else. The game was basically a polished version of Medieval II, which was a plus, but it came out shortly before Napoleon, which started the process of obsolescence early. I had just finished Rome when I started Empire, so I saw a lot of rough edges and dubious plausibilities.… Expand
  16. 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
  17. Dusty_Hayes
    Oct 4, 2012
    8
    One of the best Early modern period warfare game still and the first Total War to include actual naval combat, which is a plus and apart from the standard campaign mode which has large amount of content, the game includes a special campaign "Road to Independence" which chronicles the birth of the US from settlement of Jamestown to the American War of Independence and a multiplayer mode.One of the best Early modern period warfare game still and the first Total War to include actual naval combat, which is a plus and apart from the standard campaign mode which has large amount of content, the game includes a special campaign "Road to Independence" which chronicles the birth of the US from settlement of Jamestown to the American War of Independence and a multiplayer mode. With improved interface and controls 15+ nation including Native American armies & an introduction of a technology tree make Empire an excellent addition to the total war series and will provide many hours of gameplay & complex and rewarding fun.
    The only downside is the AI isn't always reliable & the custom mode lacks the some options and flexibility compared to medieval 2 all in all Empire is still a great strategy game    … Expand
  18. Jacob8287
    Feb 4, 2012
    8
    Great strategy game, adds a new perspective while maintaining a fast-paced epic gameplay. Sea battles may be slow, but it's more realistic that way, even if we would like it to be faster. The land battles are great, but the campaign could use some work. Also, the trading system was descent. Though there may be a some flaws, the good outweighs the bad.
  19. GamerLegend
    Feb 12, 2012
    8
    This was my first Total War game and one of my very first pc games. Overall this is a fun game that includes much planning and strategy in order to succeed in. There are many different nation to choose and campaigns to play which adds a lot of variety to the overall gameplay. The multiplayer is fun but a bit glitchy like failing to join a game or random freezes and disconnections. YourThis was my first Total War game and one of my very first pc games. Overall this is a fun game that includes much planning and strategy in order to succeed in. There are many different nation to choose and campaigns to play which adds a lot of variety to the overall gameplay. The multiplayer is fun but a bit glitchy like failing to join a game or random freezes and disconnections. Your units in battle will sometimes not respond to commands. Although this is annoying this is still a great game and worth your 20 bucks on steam.… Expand
  20. Bobbo
    Jun 3, 2012
    8
    An original franchise, a fine game, but dumbed down from Medieval 2 Total War. More realism is better, not less. Multiplayer campaign mode would be nice.
  21. Klewer
    Dec 13, 2013
    8
    The combat features of the game are A+ standard and very enjoyable, which is the most important aspect as this is the main selling point of the game.

    However the other aspects on the actual world map are not as strong and do hold the game back in a few aspects. Still well worth a look.
  22. vangomaextreme
    Aug 18, 2013
    8
    This is a great game. A fabulous blend of grand strategy relating to empire building and tactical strategy on active battlefields. I gather there were many bugs when it first came out but 95% of these have been fixed. A great one more turn game that also serves to illuminate a fascinating period of history. I know some people bash this game give me this any day over a Paradox titleThis is a great game. A fabulous blend of grand strategy relating to empire building and tactical strategy on active battlefields. I gather there were many bugs when it first came out but 95% of these have been fixed. A great one more turn game that also serves to illuminate a fascinating period of history. I know some people bash this game give me this any day over a Paradox title at least it engages you with the history and challenges you to change it and if you are clever enough gives you a fighting change without requiring you to have a Doctorate in tactics and strategy.… Expand
  23. Alchemik
    Apr 25, 2013
    8
    The game was a good try to bring in the Total War franchise into imperial age and firearms-based warfare, but the game suffered from rushed release (bugs and instability) and some annoying gameplay mechanics, that made expanding your empire slow and painful, especially when it comes to conquering smaller countries (which former capitals like to revolt all the time, making occupation costlyThe game was a good try to bring in the Total War franchise into imperial age and firearms-based warfare, but the game suffered from rushed release (bugs and instability) and some annoying gameplay mechanics, that made expanding your empire slow and painful, especially when it comes to conquering smaller countries (which former capitals like to revolt all the time, making occupation costly and often frustrating). The unrest coming from modernization is also a major pain in the a** that doesn't add much to the game itself other then being another source of frustration, also significantly slowing down your growth.

    From my point of view, most issues with this game were addressed with Napoleon: Total War and that is the game really worth recommending when looking for this time of gameplay.    … Expand
  24. Jackpp1997
    Aug 12, 2013
    8
    I have spent over 500 hours on this and this was my first PC and steam game i bought with my own money this game is really fun and if you are a fan of strategy games then you will enjoy this game.
  25. iddqd4
    Mar 16, 2018
    8
    Этот текст здесь для того что бы оценка отобразилась в моем профиле.
  26. SchnitzelPoof
    Dec 7, 2013
    8
    What differentiates a good game from a great game, is whether you would reinstall it years after playing the first time, and despite its flaws, Empire: Total War manages to capture my imagination again and again.
    If you are a fan of the period, large scale battles filled with musket wielding infantry, cuirassiers, and bronze cannons, or immense wooden ship unleashing devastating    What differentiates a good game from a great game, is whether you would reinstall it years after playing the first time, and despite its flaws, Empire: Total War manages to capture my imagination again and again.
    If you are a fan of the period, large scale battles filled with musket wielding infantry, cuirassiers, and bronze cannons, or immense wooden ship unleashing devastating broadsides on each other, you owe yourself to try this game.
    Add a mod like Darthmod, and you get an experience that no other strategy game managed to deliver up to this date.
    Unfortunately, despite the importance of diplomacy to 18th century politics, and the many factions that appear in Empire: TW, the game still lacks in that department, so if you're interested more in negotiations than in combat, there are better options in the market.    … Expand
  27. chellboy
    Sep 22, 2013
    8
    I totally shocked at the user reviews! This is as good as rome total war (the 1st of course). Its a great game. the european and american map feel like two different games which is awesome. The units are very cool and many countries have their own unique units.

    Some of the problems that hold it back is that the AI still has problems that were in rome total war and have never been    I totally shocked at the user reviews! This is as good as rome total war (the 1st of course). Its a great game. the european and american map feel like two different games which is awesome. The units are very cool and many countries have their own unique units.

    Some of the problems that hold it back is that the AI still has problems that were in rome total war and have never been patched, such as the cavalry charge the enemy does on your units. They sometimes throw a quarter of their army doing this. The AI in siege battles are pretty bad too. It is also a bad idea to auto resolve battles (trust me). The game also doesnt have just simple open fields to fight in. There is always trees and hills which is fine but i would have liked a completely open map with nothing but flat land. beside these its the total war and its amazingly fun. Making armies with wacky strategies and tactics is priceless. I recommend going long range light units and musket cavalry only.    … Expand
  28. 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.
  29. murndawg
    Nov 5, 2013
    8
    People give this game a lot of flak over AI, bugs and other things. i for one haven't encountered any bugs and although the AI is poor at times, it isnt as bad as people have said. Although many of these reviews were around release time, they should go back and see what improvements have been made. The factions are plentiful, wide ranging either in Europe, India or America. DiplomacyPeople give this game a lot of flak over AI, bugs and other things. i for one haven't encountered any bugs and although the AI is poor at times, it isnt as bad as people have said. Although many of these reviews were around release time, they should go back and see what improvements have been made. The factions are plentiful, wide ranging either in Europe, India or America. Diplomacy in the game has, for me, improved. Rather than training diplomats, you just have to click a button to interact with factions. Good game.… Expand
  30. 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
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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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