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
Buy Now
Buy on

Review this game

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. AaronLaed
    Mar 26, 2009
    0
    I was a huge fan of the totalwar series, but this is by far the worst of the totalwar games released. It crashes constantly (after downloading the first patch) The AI is weak and unit pathing is terrible. I can't recall buying a game as bad as this one. I doubt that I will ever purchase another totalwar game, what a piece of junk! Buy Rome Totalwar if you want to play a good game.
  2. vincef
    Mar 31, 2009
    0
    Graphically magnificent, huge campaign map. But... what a disappointment ! I'm a fan of the serie from Shogun, it's the worst IA ever in a total war game : T_T The game crashes in many ways, so much that the main campain is just impossible to play to the end (total domination of the world) : T_T again. Loading times and AI turns are far too long : T_T (15 minutes for the AI turn Graphically magnificent, huge campaign map. But... what a disappointment ! I'm a fan of the serie from Shogun, it's the worst IA ever in a total war game : T_T The game crashes in many ways, so much that the main campain is just impossible to play to the end (total domination of the world) : T_T again. Loading times and AI turns are far too long : T_T (15 minutes for the AI turn after playing 70 turns !!!!!) This game uses STEAM : T_T again and again As a.… Expand
  3. BrettStephens
    Mar 4, 2009
    0
    Steam is not user friendly, download speeds are horrid. any other game I bought in a store I would be playing in 15 minutes, this game I bought 6 hours ago and am still hours from playing. Not a good experience and I am definately not buying any more games that steam is involved in.
  4. Lizard
    Mar 4, 2009
    0
    This looks like a fantastic game but I wont be buying it because it's been Steamed, developers wakethe hell up !! you are commiting suicide by tying your products to this control freak system that so many of us despise, I'd rather give up playing games than have this intrusive rubbish on my computer.
  5. JamesB
    Mar 5, 2009
    0
    I loved the demo. I own all the other total war games, Unfortuneately, steam totally ruins this one. I have recieved multiple error messages from Steam while just trying to install such that I haven't even been able to play the game yet. Steam's trouble shooting section on the web is very complex and lists hundreds of possible things that could be wrong. I had some difficulty I loved the demo. I own all the other total war games, Unfortuneately, steam totally ruins this one. I have recieved multiple error messages from Steam while just trying to install such that I haven't even been able to play the game yet. Steam's trouble shooting section on the web is very complex and lists hundreds of possible things that could be wrong. I had some difficulty with getting the demo to work and realized that I didn't want to buy the game via steam so I brought the box. Unfortuneately, you need steam to install and probably also to play! Don't buy this game unless this steam issue is resolved. By the way I sent a message to SEGA support two days ago. They sent me a acknowledgement email only so far. If I ran my business or treated my customers this way I would no longer jave a job. Total war and SEGA have bombed this one and all of you who are having the same problems as me should get your money back.… Expand
  6. Kyle
    Mar 9, 2009
    0
    Horrible unit variety, pay $20 more for more diversity, countless bugs, gameplay issues, Terrible AI & Historical accuracy. (Ever wanted to see Indians march like europeans? Then this is the game for you!) CTD'ing with Gentlemen, Steam issues, UNKEPT, shoddy promises towards the modding community are just a few of the reasons why you shouldn't buy this game. Only 12 nations Horrible unit variety, pay $20 more for more diversity, countless bugs, gameplay issues, Terrible AI & Historical accuracy. (Ever wanted to see Indians march like europeans? Then this is the game for you!) CTD'ing with Gentlemen, Steam issues, UNKEPT, shoddy promises towards the modding community are just a few of the reasons why you shouldn't buy this game. Only 12 nations chooseable, many nations contain files as if they are unlockable, discovered by modders, but they are not. STAY AWAY. You have been warned.… Expand
  7. MatthewMoore
    Apr 1, 2009
    0
    Well I wish I could complain about the crashing in this game but I still have not been able to play it. I knew i would have to register is with steam before I was able to play... was not aware that it needed to download from them. I move around the country alot and don't always have a great internet signal. I love my other Total War games but wouldn't reccomend this one to myWell I wish I could complain about the crashing in this game but I still have not been able to play it. I knew i would have to register is with steam before I was able to play... was not aware that it needed to download from them. I move around the country alot and don't always have a great internet signal. I love my other Total War games but wouldn't reccomend this one to my worst enemy.… Expand
  8. RobertG
    Apr 10, 2009
    0
    This game has been hopelessly reviewed by many of the above game critics. Calling this load of rubbish the "greatest strategy game of all time" (Total PC Gaming) does great disservice to those who actually do create decent, stimulating strategy games. This game barely passes for a strategy game. The campaign is comically simple, the multi player a joke and the supposed historical accuracy This game has been hopelessly reviewed by many of the above game critics. Calling this load of rubbish the "greatest strategy game of all time" (Total PC Gaming) does great disservice to those who actually do create decent, stimulating strategy games. This game barely passes for a strategy game. The campaign is comically simple, the multi player a joke and the supposed historical accuracy essentially nonexistent. Not to mention the bugs.… Expand
  9. VeryAngry
    Apr 18, 2009
    0
    Hey guys, lets release an unfinished product! Sounds good to me! Well to the consumer it sounds horrible... i cant even LAUNCH the thing without it crashing. what they did is THEFT and because of them i shall no longer be buying ANY games from steam
  10. 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
  11. 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
  12. 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
  13. 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
  14. ChrisJ
    May 7, 2009
    0
    Great when it works (Campaign), but it often doesn't. Random crashes abound - I've even had several saved games that cause it to crash on continuing. In my view it - and its updates - are not fit for deployment (20+ years in the computer industry). AI is utterly inept - some nations build ships without end and do nothing with them, others do same for armies. In many campaigns Great when it works (Campaign), but it often doesn't. Random crashes abound - I've even had several saved games that cause it to crash on continuing. In my view it - and its updates - are not fit for deployment (20+ years in the computer industry). AI is utterly inept - some nations build ships without end and do nothing with them, others do same for armies. In many campaigns I've not once seen the AI send any GB expedition to India - even though its an objective. In fact, only Sweden has been to India under AI control!! AI also never seems to attempt to get rid of Pirates (of the Caribean), even though this is a key to successful trading and colony development. The developers need to go back to square one and test this properly, fix all the bugs - before doing anything else.… Expand
  15. RyanL
    Jun 11, 2009
    0
    Lack of support is devastating this game. The game crashes and has ridiculous bugs and gameplay flaws, yet the developers keep feeding the ignorant masses like new units (which do the same thing as old units but just have a shiny new name or uniform). It's garbage!
  16. JanetteC.
    Jul 11, 2009
    0
    The graphics might look nice but what's the point if you can't play it? It's like having a shiny sexy new car with no engine. Pointless! I'm not happy with Steam as a marketing tactic. I'm not happy with Sega and CA as they have obviously released this too soon. I am not happy with these bitty little increments when everything should be stable to start with. And The graphics might look nice but what's the point if you can't play it? It's like having a shiny sexy new car with no engine. Pointless! I'm not happy with Steam as a marketing tactic. I'm not happy with Sega and CA as they have obviously released this too soon. I am not happy with these bitty little increments when everything should be stable to start with. And I'm not happy with the magazines that have given this a good rating and have obviously not tried it.… Expand
  17. nevillem
    Jul 26, 2009
    0
    Unplayable. Simple waste of time and money.it just won't start! i still can't get over how useless 35 euros worth was and that i waited 28 hours download and 35 euro for an error bar saying ''empire:total war has stopped working'' when all that came up was a white screen.i have a vista a decent one too,expensive very new and the menu wouldn't even come Unplayable. Simple waste of time and money.it just won't start! i still can't get over how useless 35 euros worth was and that i waited 28 hours download and 35 euro for an error bar saying ''empire:total war has stopped working'' when all that came up was a white screen.i have a vista a decent one too,expensive very new and the menu wouldn't even come up!!!colossal disappointment topped off with numerous guarantees off crashes and crappy gameplay.HUGE disappointment,and i want a refund or some sort of version that WORKS.… Expand
  18. TravisB
    Jul 3, 2009
    0
    Waiting for patches to make this worth playing. (fixes to the ai) This has to be the most crashiest and buggy game i have played since 1997 with an absolutely atrocious opponent AI. Its a disgrace that this gets the ridiculous review scores it gets in magazines. I use an up to date system fully updated with no problems with any new game that come out. Gaming is my passion and I make sure Waiting for patches to make this worth playing. (fixes to the ai) This has to be the most crashiest and buggy game i have played since 1997 with an absolutely atrocious opponent AI. Its a disgrace that this gets the ridiculous review scores it gets in magazines. I use an up to date system fully updated with no problems with any new game that come out. Gaming is my passion and I make sure that I can play anything. For an idea about the constant fixes that their doing to this game type in "daily update empire" into google to see the daily updated forum on the work their doing to make this game playable. For example making the ai actually invade, its just ridiculous seeing the fixes there making now that should have been done before release. Their obvious campaign to rubbish the public complaints about this game in various forums has also sullied their reputation massively in the eyes of the gaming public. It boggles my mind.… Expand
  19. DamienC
    Jul 3, 2009
    0
    no animations for agents, the characters barely evolve over time whatever you do, can't change the gouvernment type for all you want unless you make a unrest on purpose, you don't need to play the battles because your economy will end up to be unlimited so fast that it's a joke, ai is the worse yet, the generals don't do any speeches, the diplomacy is pointless because no animations for agents, the characters barely evolve over time whatever you do, can't change the gouvernment type for all you want unless you make a unrest on purpose, you don't need to play the battles because your economy will end up to be unlimited so fast that it's a joke, ai is the worse yet, the generals don't do any speeches, the diplomacy is pointless because unless you give everything to the ai he will refuse offers - technology and alliances-) There's probably other things to come to mind for bad points, but at least there is still support for patches and they usually listen to the community. The expansion might end up being better. For now the only thing to come up with something good to improve the game is the modding community. Summary : too easy, buggy, lacks the feeling of previous titles and repetitve on so many things it's a joke at the times. = boring (at least the historical facts are good but i didn't buy a book...).… Expand
  20. StevenP
    Jul 3, 2009
    0
    A beautiful addictive game with serious, Major AI flaws. No AI seaborne invasions? In an empire game? Pathfinding Issues, Factions building entire Milita Armies. I don't know why I'm surprised exact same issues were had with every other of their releases. Once again it will be left to the mods to fix. and for ruining the game with a Steam update I give 3/10 I'm off to play A beautiful addictive game with serious, Major AI flaws. No AI seaborne invasions? In an empire game? Pathfinding Issues, Factions building entire Milita Armies. I don't know why I'm surprised exact same issues were had with every other of their releases. Once again it will be left to the mods to fix. and for ruining the game with a Steam update I give 3/10 I'm off to play Catan again - forget this techology rubbish for a while.… Expand
  21. FrankE
    Jul 3, 2009
    0
    From the disappointing AI for land/sea battles to the flawed pathfinding and then the horrible crashes you experience, it just makes you want to toss the game into the dumpster and be done with it. The game is rampant of bugs and bad coding. I justify this with a zero
  22. DanN
    Jul 3, 2009
    0
    It takes so long to finally get a unique unit that it's not worth teching for it since you'll then waste your economy... even if you get them, they're not that much of a boost on the battlefield. it lacks the feel of all the previous titles (no animations for agents, the characters barely evolve over time whatever you do, can't change the government type for all you It takes so long to finally get a unique unit that it's not worth teching for it since you'll then waste your economy... even if you get them, they're not that much of a boost on the battlefield. it lacks the feel of all the previous titles (no animations for agents, the characters barely evolve over time whatever you do, can't change the government type for all you want unless you make a unrest on purpose.… Expand
  23. calbotten
    Aug 2, 2009
    0
    Whats with all the bugs? i loaded everything, downloaded the steam account like it said, downloaded all of the necessary updates. I have all of the system requirements, but when i got done installing everything, restarted the computer and tried to play total war, but all i got was a message saying "empire.exe has encountered a problem and had to close sorry for the inconvenience." I neverWhats with all the bugs? i loaded everything, downloaded the steam account like it said, downloaded all of the necessary updates. I have all of the system requirements, but when i got done installing everything, restarted the computer and tried to play total war, but all i got was a message saying "empire.exe has encountered a problem and had to close sorry for the inconvenience." I never even got to play the friggan game. I can't figure out how to fix this problem. is this problem fixable, and how? please help.… Expand
  24. tsv
    Aug 3, 2009
    0
    As of right now this game sucks! it is unplayable! all i see when i try and open it is a big white screen! then after about 5 minutes a report comes up and says please tell microsoft about this problem! unlike some other people that actually can play it before it crashes. they can experiance it i CANT!there goes 50 bucks. i really did love all the other total war games except this 1. And As of right now this game sucks! it is unplayable! all i see when i try and open it is a big white screen! then after about 5 minutes a report comes up and says please tell microsoft about this problem! unlike some other people that actually can play it before it crashes. they can experiance it i CANT!there goes 50 bucks. i really did love all the other total war games except this 1. And im not sure if im gna buy another tw game when it comes out.… Expand
  25. dubidudubi
    Aug 5, 2009
    0
    DON'T BUY THIS GAME. It is FULL of bugs; some of them appear at the end of great campaign making you lose all the time you wasted on it. Absolutely disappointing that a so good game have so many unplayable bugs... I'm sure that all the development team have been fired after this.
  26. VonT
    Sep 10, 2009
    0
    Heaps of problems, fustrations, and no fun game if you can call it a game. Nul is what one french would say about this game. "I can fix it later, I have a deadline to meet" philosophy ends here. The time for irresponsibility is over. A game should be as entertaining as it can be. Something of historical value should not be devalued like this, even for a game of this level. A waste of my Heaps of problems, fustrations, and no fun game if you can call it a game. Nul is what one french would say about this game. "I can fix it later, I have a deadline to meet" philosophy ends here. The time for irresponsibility is over. A game should be as entertaining as it can be. Something of historical value should not be devalued like this, even for a game of this level. A waste of my time and yours as well as your money. Good day.… Expand
  27. CarmenI
    Sep 14, 2009
    0
    Since day 1, ETW has given me only frustration installing it via a program callled Steam. On the box there is nothing indicating that I must be connected to it, just an internet connection. This is seriously a violation of basic human rights, misleading ad. To add further insult, the game had trouble installing via Steam. It took weeks for them to get this steam fixed in order to install Since day 1, ETW has given me only frustration installing it via a program callled Steam. On the box there is nothing indicating that I must be connected to it, just an internet connection. This is seriously a violation of basic human rights, misleading ad. To add further insult, the game had trouble installing via Steam. It took weeks for them to get this steam fixed in order to install it properly. The game was virtually unplayable; continuous crashes, units didn't respond to commands, the client was very unstable, wait, there wasn't one. The game didn't even have sounds just the annoying and uninspired music. The sea warfare was faring no better; formations were moot. Ships acted more like bumping cars, and still do. With every new patch came new bugs turning things for worse. I resent CA and its affiliates for doing this sort of business; Selling an unfinished product and charging for full price. This release should have been delayed for further testing. Anyone acclaiming this with a 10 are tryng to mislead you for monetary gains. This product deserves a solid 0 for failing its promises. There is no excuse for what they did; rushing an unfinished product and figuring it's ok to fix it later (8 months and counting).… Expand
  28. cl
    Jan 19, 2010
    0
    This game is not ready for public distribution. I am using a system that is far above the requirements for this game and it still will not work. I have reinstalled, upgraded, etc. and still nothing. This has been a waist of time and money on my part and has completely ruined my experience with Total War. I seriously doubt I will ever have thought of purchasing another. Laughably insulting This game is not ready for public distribution. I am using a system that is far above the requirements for this game and it still will not work. I have reinstalled, upgraded, etc. and still nothing. This has been a waist of time and money on my part and has completely ruined my experience with Total War. I seriously doubt I will ever have thought of purchasing another. Laughably insulting to the public is the best way to put it.… Expand
  29. S'JetK.
    Jan 28, 2010
    0
    One heap of filth coming from gamespy reviewer for that 100. This game ought to be scrapped and redone from scratch. This game was so badly coded it irks sickness all over. Why would you ask why does the dev selling you a game in such broken state? Ask instead why you omitted to check out the "Users ratings" and the forums before spending your hard earned C Bill. Here's a wise step One heap of filth coming from gamespy reviewer for that 100. This game ought to be scrapped and redone from scratch. This game was so badly coded it irks sickness all over. Why would you ask why does the dev selling you a game in such broken state? Ask instead why you omitted to check out the "Users ratings" and the forums before spending your hard earned C Bill. Here's a wise step for you. Support developers that sell high "users ratings" and you'll kill the bad competion ie. Creative Assembly and their partner in crime ie. Steam. Do we want to spend on broken games? Do we want to bail out failure? You decide.… Expand
  30. AlexanderM
    Nov 20, 2009
    0
    I feel slightly sad about this game it is like the childhood sweet heart you have not seen in years, only to find out she is 300lbs plus and just retird from a career in head butting walls. What happened to TW , All the main review sites and mags should hold their heads in total shame, at release ETW was ...wel broken and AI is still out to lunch after many patches for the over 500 bugs I feel slightly sad about this game it is like the childhood sweet heart you have not seen in years, only to find out she is 300lbs plus and just retird from a career in head butting walls. What happened to TW , All the main review sites and mags should hold their heads in total shame, at release ETW was ...wel broken and AI is still out to lunch after many patches for the over 500 bugs most blatantly game breaking. How could reviewers miss the massive amounts of CTD'S or the fact the AI would not do naval invasions or the weak battle AI all game breakers. This for me is my last CA game, such a shame but i suppose all things come to an end even old lost loves. I could breakdown a review about the many many incomplete or shockingly bad aspects of this game, but hey why break the trend i will do as the so called proffesional reviewers did only in a diametrical fashion..this game is one to aviod with a passion.… Expand
Page:

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
See all critic reviews »