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. NicM
    Apr 19, 2009
    10
    First..... Steve W....... 1) im playing france and the spanish have no qualms with sending invasion force after invasion force into the west coast on ships.... even if they didn't include enough men to do anything other than run around torching villages. 2) So what if they changed the layout of the campaign map? You get used to it. 3) yea i guess.... although if you have issues withFirst..... Steve W....... 1) im playing france and the spanish have no qualms with sending invasion force after invasion force into the west coast on ships.... even if they didn't include enough men to do anything other than run around torching villages. 2) So what if they changed the layout of the campaign map? You get used to it. 3) yea i guess.... although if you have issues with the packaging of a game.....
    My only real problem with this game is that the seiges are a dissapointment... what happened to cities being in the CENTER of the battle map eh? and why does the capital of Austria look like a fort when attacked?

    Im giving this a ten to try and lift it up from all these unwarranted ones and twos    … Expand
  2. AnonymousMC
    Apr 22, 2009
    2
    Bugs, bugs, bugs; bugs everywhere. How sad is it that you actually hope that the game will just crash quickly, instead of hanging your system, before you can try again.
    Please give me a copy of the game the official reviewers had, so I can also wax lyrical about it.
  3. JamesH
    Apr 22, 2009
    1
    This game still isn't complete. It will cause a game crash on the 15th turn on the grand campaign every time during the AI turn. There's something that the AI is doing that will constantly cause an error. Add to that the fact that the AI is about as dumb as can be, that the number of unit differences is minimal, the loading times are very high, and it lacks anything fun.
  4. RyanR
    Apr 23, 2009
    1
    Unplayable, buggy, crashes, blue screen wtf!, AI is retarded, Sea battles more frustrations then your own mother in law. Shall I go on? This game if I can call it so is garbage that needs lot of chlorine to wash away to even not be as good as the buggiest game out there. Do not support the makers of this "game". Instead, go spend 70 bucks on stuff you truly enjoy, this isn't it.
  5. HenryL
    Apr 23, 2009
    1
    I have to agree with Steve W; specifically because of the Steam software installation process and the fact that nowhere on the external box does it state that you will be required to use this s/ware to install, let alone play the game. This goes beyond sad, it's an infringement on the basic human rights of gamers to be able to play standalone games without having Steram inflicted I have to agree with Steve W; specifically because of the Steam software installation process and the fact that nowhere on the external box does it state that you will be required to use this s/ware to install, let alone play the game. This goes beyond sad, it's an infringement on the basic human rights of gamers to be able to play standalone games without having Steram inflicted thereupon. A class action ought to be brought against The Creative Assembly and Sega for this puerility! Further, the fact atht you need to be connected to the net to download the Special Forces, only when you reach a certain level, who the hell do you think you are? Particularly, in light of the fact that the back of the box clearly states that you only need a net connection to activate. Nothing there about the crapola you find out whilst installing. Oh, and the System Requirements, well they're not only a load of crap but barely visible. All this Before you even get to play the game. The front of the box has an M rating, stating Battle & Violence, in my opinion, this is exactly what should be perpetrated upon tCA/Sega, Steam and Valve.… Expand
  6. keithc
    Apr 25, 2009
    0
    1.) problems with the ships getting stuck or "disappearing from the game" even thou' you can see it on screen many a problem when in trading mode. 2.) slightly disappointed that you can only uses a single army to face each other unlike Med' War 2 with multi armies facing each other. In this game the "extra" army come in as replacement which make game play difficult and weird 1.) problems with the ships getting stuck or "disappearing from the game" even thou' you can see it on screen many a problem when in trading mode. 2.) slightly disappointed that you can only uses a single army to face each other unlike Med' War 2 with multi armies facing each other. In this game the "extra" army come in as replacement which make game play difficult and weird 3.)Another area which is a difficult is trying to place your troops behind a wall crouching. Then to crouch with their back against the enemy! 4.)The worse bit in the game is you own artillery they have a very bad tendencies of regularly killing your own side more than they do to the enemy. 5.)disappointed by the "towns" compared to Med War 2 these "cites" look more like hamlets. Took a while to get uses to it. 6.)Problem with troops getting stuck coming out of the fort, many artillery troops and sometime when that happens the troops go haywire and have a mind of their own. 7.)Problems with the game crushing after you finish a long battles and you get really pissed off after routing the enemy and having to play the same battle again only for it to crash again. 8.)No option in deleting game saved on "stream" so you end up with loads of game that you can't get rid off. 9.)Good point are the sea battles but the game tend to crash after capturing the enemy ships. 10.)like the idea of getting troops inside buildings but not all buildings on the map which is a disappointment. 11.)Not sure about the "none" mobile artillery guns and unlimited artillery supply. 12.)In all it's good game, the only real plus is the Ship battles which is outstanding if the game didn't crash so often. So I'm giving it a "0" to off set those "10" given by some people.… Expand
  7. BarneyW
    Apr 25, 2009
    9
    A fantastic entry to the series raising the bar in terms of visuals and scale. Those complaining about steam or it needing a powerful computer shouldent lower their review scores based on that as it isnt anything to do with how the game actually plays. A few technical issues mar the game though (crashes and a few graphical bugs) and the siege battles are less than impressive. This is made A fantastic entry to the series raising the bar in terms of visuals and scale. Those complaining about steam or it needing a powerful computer shouldent lower their review scores based on that as it isnt anything to do with how the game actually plays. A few technical issues mar the game though (crashes and a few graphical bugs) and the siege battles are less than impressive. This is made up for in every other field though such as the brutal (and stunning) naval battles and the fantastic implementation of the artillery. AI has been massivly improved as well although there are some instances where the pathfinding might break down and the diplomacy AI isnt all that better. Overall it is a game that deserves they title, "Masterpiece" but falls just short due to some technical errors and a few pathfinding glitches.… Expand
  8. EamonA
    Apr 27, 2009
    3
    Very disappointing game to actually play. Crashes all the time for me as I get into the middle stages of the campaign game and I have the most expensive notebook Gateway makes. The AI is silly. Why would very weak countries attack very strong countries? If the AI never puts troops on ships, does that not mean that playing England is rather safe? But, in the end, the crashes just drove me Very disappointing game to actually play. Crashes all the time for me as I get into the middle stages of the campaign game and I have the most expensive notebook Gateway makes. The AI is silly. Why would very weak countries attack very strong countries? If the AI never puts troops on ships, does that not mean that playing England is rather safe? But, in the end, the crashes just drove me out of every game.… Expand
  9. ChrisC
    Apr 27, 2009
    4
    For the glut of people voting 10 on the game down at the bottom of this list, and then complaining about people 'ruining the games user rating' with low scores, shame on you. You obviously either a) haven't played the game for any length of time to see what all the bug fuss is about or b) happen to have the one working game platform I'll guess the game was initially For the glut of people voting 10 on the game down at the bottom of this list, and then complaining about people 'ruining the games user rating' with low scores, shame on you. You obviously either a) haven't played the game for any length of time to see what all the bug fuss is about or b) happen to have the one working game platform I'll guess the game was initially designed around or c) you're employed by SEGA or STEAM and they are urging you to put these two sentence, 10-score ratings in here to try to pull a fast one on the public. And here, I thought SONY was the only gaming company content to shove unfinished games onto the market and then laugh at all the unknowing, paying public BETA testers, but apparently not. CTD issues abound, and saving the game before an anticipated CTD won't save you, either, as the game won't show that save on the load game screen afterwards. I wouldn't even begrudge them the use of the STEAM thing to try to keep their product their own, I suppose, but to release a game that so obviously needs at least 6 more months if not a year of solid playtesting is almost unforgiveable, particularly when you take a title that has been known for quality in the past and drag its good name into the dirt like this. I give this game a 4 instead of a 0 b/c, as other people have pointed out, it has the POTENTIAL to be up there with the greatest of TW games. However, it is nowhere near that point in its present state. If you have been a serious TW fan (like so many here who have already posted), my advice is to wait a good 6 months for the smoke and the bs to clear - then check the forums to see if this is finally a worthwhile purchase.… Expand
  10. TimothyW
    Apr 28, 2009
    1
    This is a really bad game. I bought it, and I was all excited, but there are so many bugs and the gameplay is boring and tedious to the point that I haven't touched it in about a month. I was waiting for them to patch it, but so far they still haven't fixed all the issues as of 04 - 28 - 09 - Over a month after they released it. I'm particularly annoyed by their new This is a really bad game. I bought it, and I was all excited, but there are so many bugs and the gameplay is boring and tedious to the point that I haven't touched it in about a month. I was waiting for them to patch it, but so far they still haven't fixed all the issues as of 04 - 28 - 09 - Over a month after they released it. I'm particularly annoyed by their new building setup where you basically have no choice but to build what they tell you to build, and some towns and villages only let you build one thing. It makes no sense! I'm the King and if I want a stable in the middle of the frozen tundra, then I'm going to build it there! Damn you, SEGA, for ruining the Total War Series, I truly think you have sunk your own ship. (The addition of naval battles is the best thing about this game and that's why it earns 1 point.)… Expand
  11. JC
    Apr 28, 2009
    10
    Great game exactly what i was expecting not sure what everyone is moaning about have played alot and haven't noticed any major bugs or had any other problems. Steam isn't too bad, a lot of people should have this already not half as annoying as installing gta4. If you liked previous total war titles you will like this, units do get a bit samey after a while but there are also a Great game exactly what i was expecting not sure what everyone is moaning about have played alot and haven't noticed any major bugs or had any other problems. Steam isn't too bad, a lot of people should have this already not half as annoying as installing gta4. If you liked previous total war titles you will like this, units do get a bit samey after a while but there are also a lot of naval units. The campaign mode will entertain you for hours have been playing a long campaign and after several weeks of playing haven't quite reached the half way mark, hoping lots of other nations will be unlocked once completed as before. A great way to kill the time.… Expand
  12. NovahawkA
    Apr 29, 2009
    0
    Hmm ok where to begin my review. Installing ...installing...silence...nothing happens...ahh ....installing...Blue screen...wtf!!! file missing what!!? Please reinstall 11.3 GB game. wtf!!! after 2 hours of trying to install I gave up. Steaming and angry at CA and SEGA and Gamespy "review" . What a load of crap. You should be ashamed of yourselves. Someone ought to sue all of them and give Hmm ok where to begin my review. Installing ...installing...silence...nothing happens...ahh ....installing...Blue screen...wtf!!! file missing what!!? Please reinstall 11.3 GB game. wtf!!! after 2 hours of trying to install I gave up. Steaming and angry at CA and SEGA and Gamespy "review" . What a load of crap. You should be ashamed of yourselves. Someone ought to sue all of them and give them a piece of their mind for this outrageous stunt they pulled. Thanks to them, I will save money from buying future crap made by them and spend it on the things that works for me. And I hope someone will put these guys out of business for good and in Jail.… Expand
  13. mattm
    Apr 29, 2009
    5
    They haven't finished it ,to be honest when i playey mtw2 it had loades of cool historical battles and the AI was clever. Empire truggled to run with better than recommended requirements on vista. Online play is cool but every time you log on it's shoved in my face and starts opening windows because i'm not connected to steam. The AI makes a basic line almost every time They haven't finished it ,to be honest when i playey mtw2 it had loades of cool historical battles and the AI was clever. Empire truggled to run with better than recommended requirements on vista. Online play is cool but every time you log on it's shoved in my face and starts opening windows because i'm not connected to steam. The AI makes a basic line almost every time unless you have a army of pure calvery and the frame rate is laborious. The only reason i gave it a 5 is because AI on navel command is spot on, the ships are picture perfect and enemy commanders are adaptable and intelligent. Other than some ships crashing together when in formation it's good. But that only happens when i finally get to it.… Expand
  14. DisAllusioned
    Apr 5, 2009
    2
    Ok who lets this game out of beta? Seriously this thing crashes more that a blindfolded drunk driver! The graphics on low and medium settings are horrible I keep seeing units made of stick figures. Note to CA some of us need to buy food and housing we don't have a pile of cash to blow on hi-end graphics cards. And linking this to steam wtf now I can't even try to sell this Ok who lets this game out of beta? Seriously this thing crashes more that a blindfolded drunk driver! The graphics on low and medium settings are horrible I keep seeing units made of stick figures. Note to CA some of us need to buy food and housing we don't have a pile of cash to blow on hi-end graphics cards. And linking this to steam wtf now I can't even try to sell this disaster and recoup some of my money!! And I'm not even going to start with the game play issues I just don't have that kind of time. Good job CA you managed to kill the total war franchise and make sure I never buy another product of yours again.… Expand
  15. bobsizemore
    Apr 7, 2009
    5
    even when this game is working, the AI is worthlessly retarded. any land battle can be won if you've got 25% odds, sometimes less. naval battles are like watching retards dogfight, as boats go in endless circles and do nothing productive (of course, since it's hard to make your boats not do the same, you still usually lose). AI can't invade via navy, has no pathfinding, and even when this game is working, the AI is worthlessly retarded. any land battle can be won if you've got 25% odds, sometimes less. naval battles are like watching retards dogfight, as boats go in endless circles and do nothing productive (of course, since it's hard to make your boats not do the same, you still usually lose). AI can't invade via navy, has no pathfinding, and other things. these gripes are all minimal if you can't even get the game to run without crashing, though (broken AI routines cause crashes that the development team still claims are hardware related). this could have been a great game- with another year of development.… Expand
  16. Hale
    Apr 8, 2009
    3
    This game is way too buggy to be good. Constant crashing, bugs all over the place on the campaign map and in the battles. Patches have just made it worse. I still play Rome:Total War and bought this game with high expectations and am profoundly disappointed. Do I need to put Sega on my publishers to avoid list?
  17. RobK.
    Apr 9, 2009
    2
    Tragically, this is an outstanding game plagued by a 1st rate battleship full of bugs, CTD errors and in my opinion unforgiveable game playweaknesses which could all have been ironed out with a proper Beta. The game frequently (every hour or so) crashes to desktop during naval or land battles, and after about 20-30 turns the game will reach a point where it crashes during the AI turn on Tragically, this is an outstanding game plagued by a 1st rate battleship full of bugs, CTD errors and in my opinion unforgiveable game playweaknesses which could all have been ironed out with a proper Beta. The game frequently (every hour or so) crashes to desktop during naval or land battles, and after about 20-30 turns the game will reach a point where it crashes during the AI turn on the campaign map, and when you reload the saved game it crashes in the same place...with no work around. This leaves your campaign dead in the water, and you have the choice of starting a fresh campaign or just not playing it any more. Really dissappointing, as I've been playing this series since Shogun and bought a new PC just to enjoy this game - wish now I'd spent a week on a beach instead!… Expand
  18. joem
    May 10, 2009
    2
    This game had the possibility of being awesome, but it crashes every 10 mins, it's slow as can be (even on a quad core 6600, 8GB of RAM, GeForce 285, 3.5 TB of hard drive space). There is no way this game should receive the praise it's been getting. This is utterly unstable and unplayable.
  19. MattM
    May 10, 2009
    1
    I HATE STEAM!!!! I am very generous giving the game a one because it runs like a half retarded monkey was a developer. Almost nothing works on the campaign map. I have had this game and not once have been able to finish it due to the developers being half retarded monkeys. they could not stick with what worked on the other total wars.... I WANT MY MONEY BACK!!!!
  20. SR
    May 1, 2009
    5
    I bought the disc version of this and from 1707 the game kept crashing, so I would leave it a while and carry on and it seemed to clear. Now I have got as far as 1711 and when I resolve my turn it gets stuck halfway through. I have wasted a lot of time on what is basically a beautiful, addictive but horrendously flawed game. I note no one from the manufacturers has explained why the game I bought the disc version of this and from 1707 the game kept crashing, so I would leave it a while and carry on and it seemed to clear. Now I have got as far as 1711 and when I resolve my turn it gets stuck halfway through. I have wasted a lot of time on what is basically a beautiful, addictive but horrendously flawed game. I note no one from the manufacturers has explained why the game keeps crashing. I got rid of the boxed version and am now downloading it again from the site. THIS IS A STUNNING 10/10, let down by the constant faults. Maybe it is the STEAM aspect I don't know, but if this download doesn't work, I will be removing it and STEAM from my PC and never buying another Total War game again. Sorry guys.… Expand
  21. KoteeO
    May 1, 2009
    10
    I am not a fan of RTS games at all. I have tried 10 to 20 of them in the last few years. However, this game is amazing! The graphics, the attention to detail, and the gameplay is fun fun fun! I have not even tried multiplayer yet...I'm addicted!
  22. screamingeagle
    May 13, 2009
    0
    At least some of you guys got to play the game.ive yet to get past the STEAM LOADING!!!! i was just looking around at best buy one day and i saw this game.(mind you i dont usually just buy a game right off the bat).but when i saw it i thought COOL!! this is the game ive been waiting for. plus i saw it was from creative assembly so i trusted it because theyve been known for good games like At least some of you guys got to play the game.ive yet to get past the STEAM LOADING!!!! i was just looking around at best buy one day and i saw this game.(mind you i dont usually just buy a game right off the bat).but when i saw it i thought COOL!! this is the game ive been waiting for. plus i saw it was from creative assembly so i trusted it because theyve been known for good games like ROME TW. im sure that it is a good game,its just that steam s#$% that they put it on is ruining there reputation. i mean,i bought,i should be able to play it when ever i want to.thats the last time i will ever buy a game from them as long as they have steam with it. and i will tell other fellow gamers to do the same as well.… Expand
  23. JonathanC
    May 14, 2009
    6
    Behind the issues with Steam, CTD's, gliches there is a serious question mark over the playability of the game at the strategic level due to the complexity of what the game is trying to re-create. There are fantastic graphics and the naval battles are especially dramatic but the game is not for thefainthearted and irrational AI dilpomacy and behaviour on the battlefield marrs the Behind the issues with Steam, CTD's, gliches there is a serious question mark over the playability of the game at the strategic level due to the complexity of what the game is trying to re-create. There are fantastic graphics and the naval battles are especially dramatic but the game is not for thefainthearted and irrational AI dilpomacy and behaviour on the battlefield marrs the experience. If you can pick up a cheap copy as I did then the game is worth playing for the battles alone, but be prepared for some throughtly annoying bugs and an unchallenging AI.… Expand
  24. JanusA
    May 14, 2009
    2
    I bought the game expecting a great follow-up to the previous TW series. MAny of the ideas in the game seem well thought-up, but the game is so bug-ridden and have so poor campaign and combat AI that it needs more than a few small patches to fix it.
  25. RyanC
    May 14, 2009
    9
    It takes a little while to get used to the interface (especially if you've played the Total War series in the past) but I've got to say it is probably one of the best games, if not the best game, in that series.
  26. OliverS
    May 16, 2009
    2
    A game full of bugs. You're not able to play this game without crashes and other bugs that make the gameplay horrible! Thank you CA!!!
  27. steveb
    May 18, 2009
    5
    Frequent crashes. I'm running a pretty robust Area 51 and I still get game play errors. The critics high marks are because they aren't really playing the game.....just looking at the game, and maybe playing the demo. I suspect it may be the Steam piece that is causing the issues, but I don't really know. Until that question is answered, I won't buy another Steam product.
  28. AndreasH
    May 19, 2009
    9
    Great game , but it had and has many bugs thats not cool. and even doh i do play with the lowest settings it still lags sometimes! (i have amd dual core 6000+ 3Ghz and Nvidia XFX geforce 8600 GT and 2gb ram that is more than enough i think!).
  29. SakariM.
    May 2, 2009
    0
    This game is the biggest game disspointment I have ever experienced. The game is completely unplayable, it is ridiculous. I wont state all that is wrong because it has already been said, but what truly has me aghast is that every single media reviewer has praised this game to the stars. I can barely play this game for an hour before I get too frustrated to continue. I am never trusting This game is the biggest game disspointment I have ever experienced. The game is completely unplayable, it is ridiculous. I wont state all that is wrong because it has already been said, but what truly has me aghast is that every single media reviewer has praised this game to the stars. I can barely play this game for an hour before I get too frustrated to continue. I am never trusting reviewers of games again, they are untrustworthy liars. One of my favourite examples of its ridiculousness? Pre-release they boasted of their amazing motion capture "period authentic" melee. Melee is just a buggery mess with a few poorly synced bayonet duels. Wheres my muddy and bloody brawl?… Expand
  30. StanleyR
    May 20, 2009
    8
    Game is good , naval battles work , only problem is that AI is bad and acts idiotically sometimes , and btw , why you guys whine that Empire Total War is bad game if u cant go to play it if your steam doesn't launch it ??? Dont rate the game bad if u don't even know what is it like.
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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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