Medieval II: Total War

 PC
User Score
8.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 949 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 856 out of 949
  2. Mixed: 72 out of 949
  3. Negative: 21 out of 949
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  1. MeestYkLt.
    May 27, 2008
    5
    Vanilla mode this looks just like Rome:Total War but only worse. Given, graphics improvements and sounds match the period, I can't help but notice so many familiar flaws while either trying to run down infantry with my cavalry, OR, battling it out with naval engagements, which, by the way, blows. Let's not even get into diplomacy here, someone's definitely dropped the ball. Vanilla mode this looks just like Rome:Total War but only worse. Given, graphics improvements and sounds match the period, I can't help but notice so many familiar flaws while either trying to run down infantry with my cavalry, OR, battling it out with naval engagements, which, by the way, blows. Let's not even get into diplomacy here, someone's definitely dropped the ball. Overall, it could've been a pleasant and award winning game. A disappointment. Lets' only hope Empire:TW will keep TW series afloat.… Expand
  2. aarona.
    Apr 27, 2008
    10
    One of the best games i have ever played! it has awsome graphics and sound. I fully recomend this game to anyone who loves the total war series. It's just plain brilliant and very addictive.
  3. JonasH.
    Mar 29, 2008
    10
    One of the things I missed in Rome:TW was the economic perspectives of Medieval:TW, but in this game, they have found a great balance, by taking the best elements of Rome and Medieval 1 and making the best historical strategy game to date. I can't wait for Empire:Total War.
  4. Bangell
    Mar 25, 2008
    10
    My favourite game ever - epic battles, tactical gameplay on real-time and turn-based levels - an all-round masterpiece.
  5. FungS.
    Mar 6, 2008
    6
    Way too many bugs. Especially the bug where you order your men to attack, and only a handful of a 120 man unit actually do any fighting. Or maybe the bug where your cavalry breaks an enemy unit, but decide to stand still while the routing unit runs away, and then when you order them to chase the unit down, they run around in circles instead. Clearly, this game needs patching, but we Way too many bugs. Especially the bug where you order your men to attack, and only a handful of a 120 man unit actually do any fighting. Or maybe the bug where your cavalry breaks an enemy unit, but decide to stand still while the routing unit runs away, and then when you order them to chase the unit down, they run around in circles instead. Clearly, this game needs patching, but we can't even rely on the developers to do this! Just like Rome, the game community does the patching itself. Maybe the unofficial patch for Rome that fixed some 200 plus bugs could be remade for this game.… Expand
  6. CookieC.
    Jan 31, 2008
    10
    The Vanilla game itself is ok, but AI is bad. What gives this game the edge is the community. There are literally loads of mods that you can download, and each of these is truly massive! Don't believe me, just check out the website forum and look for links to mods. Or Just Google "Medieval 2 mods". Then read for yourself. Well worth your money! (If not for the vanilla, then for all The Vanilla game itself is ok, but AI is bad. What gives this game the edge is the community. There are literally loads of mods that you can download, and each of these is truly massive! Don't believe me, just check out the website forum and look for links to mods. Or Just Google "Medieval 2 mods". Then read for yourself. Well worth your money! (If not for the vanilla, then for all the mods!)… Expand
  7. BiibB.
    Dec 31, 2007
    10
    Awsome game, good graphics. the gameplaying is great.
  8. AndreaC.
    Dec 11, 2007
    9
    The AI can be largely improved, mainly the separate auto-management of units, agents, and taxes is missing. The game is the most spectacular mixing strategy and real-time tactics, but it lacks adequate management tools when the number of countries controlled becomes high. Turns become lenghty. Pathfinding needs reworking, as being real-timed makes it all too easy to lose a turn just by mistake.
  9. ZioR.
    Dec 10, 2007
    0
    Compaired to the orriginal Total War games, this one is terrible. It's slow caimpaign play makes waiting for each battle a chore; the battles may have good graphics however, there is to few of soldiers for them to be truly "epic"; and multiplayer over the internet for this game is virtually dead. I give this game 2 thumbs down, and if I had known this game was this bad I Compaired to the orriginal Total War games, this one is terrible. It's slow caimpaign play makes waiting for each battle a chore; the battles may have good graphics however, there is to few of soldiers for them to be truly "epic"; and multiplayer over the internet for this game is virtually dead. I give this game 2 thumbs down, and if I had known this game was this bad I wouldn't have wasted my money on it. It is a dissapointment for the Total War series, they could have done much better.… Expand
  10. TomS.
    Nov 21, 2007
    5
    I agree that the AI is terrible in all parts of the game. For example the AI attacks a castle/town the same way every time. It either knocks down the gate with a ram or destroys the walls on each side of the gate and then just lines up all the troops and performs the medieval death march. If there are two enemy armies only one will have built rams etc so the second army just sits there or I agree that the AI is terrible in all parts of the game. For example the AI attacks a castle/town the same way every time. It either knocks down the gate with a ram or destroys the walls on each side of the gate and then just lines up all the troops and performs the medieval death march. If there are two enemy armies only one will have built rams etc so the second army just sits there or will march all the way around the castle to the breach. So you never have to defend against more than one army at a time. This style of programming is typical. AI is almost always is the last thing on the production list. Games are release with poor AI and great graphics and sound because we as gamers will buy games because they look and sound great. Also creating good AI takes time and good programmers and the industry is only interested in hiring programmers that can make the game look nice. That is what sells games. Only we can change that by not purchasing games with bad AI. But that is not going happen because that would upset the profit margin. This has been going on for a very long time. To bad.… Expand
  11. AlexX.
    Jul 28, 2007
    10
    If anything this game has potential. Move that out of your way and you will see a game far beyond any game that has ever been made or even thought of. This game is simply magnificant on the largest scales I have ever seen. Watch as thousands of men battle it out in an epic fight to the death. Or conquer the world in the grand campaign. Ambush your enemies, assassinate generals, forge If anything this game has potential. Move that out of your way and you will see a game far beyond any game that has ever been made or even thought of. This game is simply magnificant on the largest scales I have ever seen. Watch as thousands of men battle it out in an epic fight to the death. Or conquer the world in the grand campaign. Ambush your enemies, assassinate generals, forge diplomacies, crusade, jihad, and wage total war on your enemies! Medieval 2 throws you into one of the bloodiest ages in recorded history in a strategic fight for world domination or the survival of another bloody day. Yeah, it was great.… Expand
  12. EthanY.
    Jun 26, 2007
    10
    A brilliant game from a brilliant company, Creative Assembly has found an award winning formula. The game focuses on managing a nation into an empire and commanding armies throughout the land makes this an enjoyable and rewarding game. With 17 playable factions, each with its own strength and weakness give this game an astounding amount of replay value. There are many strategies you can A brilliant game from a brilliant company, Creative Assembly has found an award winning formula. The game focuses on managing a nation into an empire and commanding armies throughout the land makes this an enjoyable and rewarding game. With 17 playable factions, each with its own strength and weakness give this game an astounding amount of replay value. There are many strategies you can employ on and off the battlefield whether it be flanking an enemy unit or manipulationg religion to call crusades against a bothersome opponent. An overall graphically appealing game with a perfect balance of medieval era warefare strategy/tactics and diplomacy. Note: It is worth mentioning that there are many fan sites with mods to enhance or change certain gameplay aspects.… Expand
  13. CK
    Jun 11, 2007
    10
    I've always wanted a nice medieval game, one that puts you in the settings of the era. Medieval 2 did this very nicely, not only was i suprised at the depth of the game, but i was completely blown away by the sound and graphics. if you zoom close to the battle, you will see how it feels to see the sky full of flamming arrows, you will hear them zipping past your ears, and the screams I've always wanted a nice medieval game, one that puts you in the settings of the era. Medieval 2 did this very nicely, not only was i suprised at the depth of the game, but i was completely blown away by the sound and graphics. if you zoom close to the battle, you will see how it feels to see the sky full of flamming arrows, you will hear them zipping past your ears, and the screams from your co next to you as they burn in fire from the arrows. You will hear the knights charge from a distance, the pace from the horses picks up and the sound they make thunders from the distance. Sound and Graphics really wins the day, although AI can be a bit buggy, but the quality of the sound + Graphics earns every point from me.… Expand
  14. MichaelC.
    Apr 15, 2007
    10
    I am also a long time Total War series fan, and I'll admit I had very, very high expectations when I heard M2TW was coming out. After playing Rome Total War for two solid years, I was hesitant on just how the next game could hope to compete with Rome. Wow, was I surprised. Medieval 2 takes all the great elements developed from Rome and improves on them lock, stock, and barrel...or I am also a long time Total War series fan, and I'll admit I had very, very high expectations when I heard M2TW was coming out. After playing Rome Total War for two solid years, I was hesitant on just how the next game could hope to compete with Rome. Wow, was I surprised. Medieval 2 takes all the great elements developed from Rome and improves on them lock, stock, and barrel...or sword, shield, and pike! Visually, the game is just stunning. You only need try one demo battle to see that for yourself. Not only that, the gameplay is addictive, fun, and challenging, especially on the harder difficulty settings. Everything from the music, to the interface, and even the manual and packaging is top-notch. Admittedly, the initial release of the game contained some show-stopping bugs. However, with the first, and now second, patches available, the game now plays as it was intended. And it's worth every dime. I definately would highly recommend this game to any serious strategy gamer who is sick of the tired, boring, and now just stupid RTS gaming engine that most modern "strategy" games employ. It's truly an awesome game.… Expand
  15. ChrisS.
    Apr 4, 2007
    10
    This game is much better than the first few. You can actually see your soldiers and tactics also work. The new combat system and agents really improve gameplay along with things like the pope and crusades.
  16. JonathanS.
    Mar 27, 2007
    9
    I have played Rome: total war, and now this awesome game, medieval 2. I think that a lot of people are missing that this isn't a second Rome, its a second medieval and its not the same. The cavalry charge in this game isent weak like most people say its 10 times stronger. you can kill a hole group of heavy swordsmen with a blink of an eye if you do it right. but you have to expect I have played Rome: total war, and now this awesome game, medieval 2. I think that a lot of people are missing that this isn't a second Rome, its a second medieval and its not the same. The cavalry charge in this game isent weak like most people say its 10 times stronger. you can kill a hole group of heavy swordsmen with a blink of an eye if you do it right. but you have to expect that its really hard to master the cavalry and yes, they are very bugged when running after routing units, but if you try and put up the game speed you will see that they kill them eventually (but they may do reaaaaaally wierd things). All the grafics are great and all the infantry works fine so except from the cavalry this game is awesome.… Expand
  17. DanielB.
    Mar 26, 2007
    10
    When the units obey your orders, Medieval II is an amazing spectacle and a fun game to play. Not only are thousands of hand-chosen soldiers fighting at your command, but cities rise and fall at your leisure based on war, diplomacy, sabotage, and assassination. This game isn't perfect, but it deserves far higher than an 8.6 average rating, so I'm throwing in a 10 to make up for When the units obey your orders, Medieval II is an amazing spectacle and a fun game to play. Not only are thousands of hand-chosen soldiers fighting at your command, but cities rise and fall at your leisure based on war, diplomacy, sabotage, and assassination. This game isn't perfect, but it deserves far higher than an 8.6 average rating, so I'm throwing in a 10 to make up for the lack of enthusiasm.… Expand
  18. RomanfoolR.
    Mar 12, 2007
    10
    I really like this game, i was a big fan of Rome Total War and when this came out I had to be the first to have it. I dont really have a problem with the calvery charge cause I never use horsemen anyway. I am all infantry, I love the heavy infantry and archers that the English provide. top notch. I would recommend this game to anybody with a beasty enough computer to run it. Awsome game, I really like this game, i was a big fan of Rome Total War and when this came out I had to be the first to have it. I dont really have a problem with the calvery charge cause I never use horsemen anyway. I am all infantry, I love the heavy infantry and archers that the English provide. top notch. I would recommend this game to anybody with a beasty enough computer to run it. Awsome game, my favorite at the moment.… Expand
  19. JohnH.
    Feb 28, 2007
    9
    Since I never played the earlier games from the developer I think I see Total War 2 with different eyes than some of the other commentators. Being a huge Civ strategy fan as well as a fan of various RTS games I truly enjoy Total War, it's like two good games in one; Deep strategy and awesome RTS battles. Cavalry attacks can take out half an enemy unit in a few seconds if done right, Since I never played the earlier games from the developer I think I see Total War 2 with different eyes than some of the other commentators. Being a huge Civ strategy fan as well as a fan of various RTS games I truly enjoy Total War, it's like two good games in one; Deep strategy and awesome RTS battles. Cavalry attacks can take out half an enemy unit in a few seconds if done right, just makes sure your cavalry unit is in good formation before you order the attack. After a few seconds, pull them back, regroup and repeat. I don't think it's a bug.… Expand
  20. ArisL.
    Feb 6, 2007
    10
    Excellent game, bringing together a great combination of history with fun gameplay.
  21. JeffY.
    Jan 30, 2007
    6
    Mixed feelings about this game. The graphics are certainly pretty enough when turned all the way up; artillery, archery, and cannon fire effects look especially impressive. Music and sound work is also top-notch. In all other respects, it seems inferior to its predecessor, Rome: Total War. Perhaps I am biased towards the Rome time period, but the Medieval II unit selection seems more drab Mixed feelings about this game. The graphics are certainly pretty enough when turned all the way up; artillery, archery, and cannon fire effects look especially impressive. Music and sound work is also top-notch. In all other respects, it seems inferior to its predecessor, Rome: Total War. Perhaps I am biased towards the Rome time period, but the Medieval II unit selection seems more drab and boring. As already noted, cavalry also has lost a lot of its effectiveness... they will go from charging into the rear of a group of enemy archers, to cantering up and inviting them over for dinner. They play like fast-moving infantry, which is nice but not worth the price premium and certainly not what a cavalry unit should be. The campaign map also seems no deeper than in Rome, with pretty much all of the same problems -- neutral ship blockades, strange time scaling issues, and so on. All in all, this would have rated an 8 or 9 if it were the first game of its genre... after Rome's strong showing, it seems a little weak.… Expand
  22. BrendanP.
    Jan 22, 2007
    10
    My new favorite game, infinite playability, Great AI with the new patch, incredible graphics, good sound, great soundtrack, everything is amazing.
  23. ChetN.
    Jan 15, 2007
    7
    Very pretty towns and battles. But I dont like the way cavalry charge and then stop 10 feet before the enemy line loosing their charge bonus, then dying as fast as weak infantry. This now means I dont recruit cavalry ( I was a cavalry general in Rome) as they are expensive waste of time. Watch them out going the oppersite direction when ordered to move, (order left they go right) this Very pretty towns and battles. But I dont like the way cavalry charge and then stop 10 feet before the enemy line loosing their charge bonus, then dying as fast as weak infantry. This now means I dont recruit cavalry ( I was a cavalry general in Rome) as they are expensive waste of time. Watch them out going the oppersite direction when ordered to move, (order left they go right) this kind of kills game play. Chase a routing group and the chasing cavalry scatter to the wind, it requires great skill and repeated direction (clicking) for the unit to do as ordered. This is a serious bug not fixed in 1.1 patch. And why does it still take three years to sail across the Mediterranean Sea (Algiers to Genoa) surely the crew would have died of starvation in this time. I look forward to fixes in the next patch as Medieval 2 should be an incremental improvement on Rome.… Expand
  24. DominickM.
    Jan 11, 2007
    6
    I've been a fan of this series since Shogun, and I concur that this latest installment has sharp graphics and is generally well produced. However, as far as the grand strategy game goes, the AI still hasn't been fixed. All the bugs from Rome still exist here, and battles against the computer (castle siege in particular), remains pathetic and makes the campaign rather boring. Fix I've been a fan of this series since Shogun, and I concur that this latest installment has sharp graphics and is generally well produced. However, as far as the grand strategy game goes, the AI still hasn't been fixed. All the bugs from Rome still exist here, and battles against the computer (castle siege in particular), remains pathetic and makes the campaign rather boring. Fix the AI and this game is an instant 10.… Expand
  25. K.R.
    Jan 11, 2007
    5
    Fans of the earlier games seem to be carried away with enthusiasm for improvements, without assessing the real problems with this game. Issues are: 1) Lack of guidance about performance tuning, which can completely cripple the real time battles, 2) Severe bugs, such as not crediting your account with significant amounts of money after a major effort capturing a city, 3) Unhelpful Fans of the earlier games seem to be carried away with enthusiasm for improvements, without assessing the real problems with this game. Issues are: 1) Lack of guidance about performance tuning, which can completely cripple the real time battles, 2) Severe bugs, such as not crediting your account with significant amounts of money after a major effort capturing a city, 3) Unhelpful information about how to use pivotal pieces such as diplomats (why are there several options for bribery thrown together...that are not accepted?) and merchants (are they supposed to move from resource to resource, or not?), 4) City improvements which, even though financially ok, cannot be selected... the list goes on. Is the game worth playing? Yes. Is it worlds better than a score of other games? No. Use a mid- to high-end computer, and be prepared to spend some considerable time in forums figuring out how it works.… Expand
  26. BenjaminK.
    Jan 7, 2007
    10
    I have always been a big fan of the Total War series, and this game just puts me over the top! The graphics are smooth and sweet. The action is ten fold that what it was in Total War 1! If you're into strategy games, buy this!
  27. ConorF.
    Jan 7, 2007
    9
    Excellent and long game that I still have yet to finish in the long Grand campaign. The AI in the game can sometimes be pretty stupid but I have been on the verge of wipeout from one of the AI on hard mode. I wish there were more multiplayer aspects in the game though, and the naval battles are pretty lame but nothing that isn't bypassed. For those that are saying that it is a Excellent and long game that I still have yet to finish in the long Grand campaign. The AI in the game can sometimes be pretty stupid but I have been on the verge of wipeout from one of the AI on hard mode. I wish there were more multiplayer aspects in the game though, and the naval battles are pretty lame but nothing that isn't bypassed. For those that are saying that it is a "dissapoinment" from Rome, it's the same game but with different textures. That means same problems, same graphics, same AI.… Expand
  28. JohnI.
    Jan 6, 2007
    9
    Great Graphics, some bugs, great gameplay overall, love the addition of the new world, A+
  29. MichaelL.
    Dec 30, 2006
    7
    I've got mixed feelings toward Medieval II. I prefer this time period to the Rome setting and there are numerous improvements to the engine, like the graphics. There are bugs that really can take away from the enjoyment in battles, like major pathfinding problems. The campaign map, or perhaps the campaign as a whole, grows a bit tedious once you have a growing civilization. I'm I've got mixed feelings toward Medieval II. I prefer this time period to the Rome setting and there are numerous improvements to the engine, like the graphics. There are bugs that really can take away from the enjoyment in battles, like major pathfinding problems. The campaign map, or perhaps the campaign as a whole, grows a bit tedious once you have a growing civilization. I'm only picking out some negatives here, though. With a few patches to iron things out - not just fixing bugs, but adding some features and removing some things - I can see Medieval II becoming a very, very great game. But, like I said, at the time of my review I'm a bit mixed towards it.… Expand
  30. TBOne
    Dec 30, 2006
    6
    I'm pretty disapointed. All the annoying things about Rome are still there. What is the friggin point of the princess unit? Why does it take 20 years for a diplomat to reach Russia? Why does naval combat completely blow? After you've taken 9-10 provinces it turns into a micro-management nightmare. Too many spies. Too many assassins. Too much clicking. You end up having the I'm pretty disapointed. All the annoying things about Rome are still there. What is the friggin point of the princess unit? Why does it take 20 years for a diplomat to reach Russia? Why does naval combat completely blow? After you've taken 9-10 provinces it turns into a micro-management nightmare. Too many spies. Too many assassins. Too much clicking. You end up having the battle of hastings 3 times every turn as computer allies turn on you because you've become too powerful. The battles ARE brilliant. The strategic map needs a major overhaul. How can a neutral navy blockade your fleet? you cant move through them? Ridiculous. Buy it when its 19.99 and then you'll get your moneys worth.… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

6
#6 Best PC Game of 2006
11
#11 Most Discussed PC Game of 2006
4
#4 Most Shared PC Game of 2006

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
88

Generally favorable reviews - based on 39 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 39 out of 39
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 39
  3. Negative: 0 out of 39
  1. PC Gamer
    90
    A bigger, prettier, and more addictive game that leaves even the series' most recent efforts in the dust...If you think "Rome: Total War's" battles looked good, especially for the number of units on-screen at once (i.e., thousands), Medieval II will blow you away. [Dec 2006, p.28]
  2. PC Gamer UK
    94
    Mesmerisingly challenging... If there's another wargame that blends geopolitics with tactics this brilliantly, or portrays war so memorably, then I'm unaware of it... The new king of wargames. [Dec 2006, p.56]
  3. Pelit (Finland)
    94
    Take the contents and theme from Medieval. Mix them with eye candy from "Rome," add some spice and you have a winner on your hands. [Dec 2006, p.82]
See all critic reviews »