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. BlackWidow
    Oct 5, 2013
    10
    I've owned the gold edition of the game for about five years and in the means of medieval warfare, this is by far the best on the market. The entire Total War series is great but this one holds a special place for me. The graphics are superb, the combo of RTS and TBS makes this a real gem. The real time battles along with night/day/weather effects depending on the season is justI've owned the gold edition of the game for about five years and in the means of medieval warfare, this is by far the best on the market. The entire Total War series is great but this one holds a special place for me. The graphics are superb, the combo of RTS and TBS makes this a real gem. The real time battles along with night/day/weather effects depending on the season is just incredible. My favorite faction is England. I usually knock out Scotland early on and take over the entire British Isles for myself. It's the perfect strategic stronghold.

    Each faction has historical units which is a complete blast. The English Longbow and Knights of England are devastating in battle, as so are the French Crossbow and Calvary. You may even get lucky and be asked to allow the Knights Templar to build a facility within one of your towns. These guys are like a tornado on the open battlefield, and they look cool.

    Furthermore, you can build up each city, Town or Castle, assassinate people, battle heretics with your priests, marry off your daughters or use them as diplomats, sabotage buildings, and much much more. The game is so in-depth, it's crazy. Even your leaders can take on unique traits; anywhere from being a saint to a drunken lout. For better or worse, this will effect the town(s) which your general governs. At times, you may even discover a cheating wife or husband, or get accused or heresy. There are even historical events which happen over the course of the game which adds even more flavor to the game. Mongol/Timurid invasion, crusades to the Holy Land, exploration to the Americas, and even the Black Death. Some events are down right cruel, such as a general being murdered or killed in a freak storm at sea, but this just adds even more icing on the cake.

    I truly don't understand the negative reviews, for there is nothing wrong with the game. I guess you either like it or not. I for one, love it and have nothing negative to say about it. It's a classic masterpiece. Great job Sega! 10/10    … Expand
  2. Alchemik
    Apr 25, 2013
    9
    Simillar to Rome, but prettier, better, bigger and faster with last thing maybe being the most important. Medeval gave players more freedom and more strategic options, also in much greater scale and less slow army building (no 20 turn waiting to gather an elite army if you have infrastructure). Like in Rome, you get pretty various and interesting factions, that force to to chooseSimillar to Rome, but prettier, better, bigger and faster with last thing maybe being the most important. Medeval gave players more freedom and more strategic options, also in much greater scale and less slow army building (no 20 turn waiting to gather an elite army if you have infrastructure). Like in Rome, you get pretty various and interesting factions, that force to to choose different strategies and policies of building your empire.

    The pope, crusades/jihad and mongol invasions give the game a nice strategic twist, creating some really though choices and problems for player to manage (for example, obvious advantages of capturing Jerusalem are reduced by facing a nearly unstoppable Mongol hordes in that region soon after). It all combines in a really enjoyable experience, even today worth trying if you never played this title before.    … Expand
  3. jamesphillip198
    Sep 14, 2013
    8
    Easily one of my favourite games ever. I have more than +2000 hours of gameplay since it came out. The AI isn't perfect, but there are plenty of mods for all tastes. Altough it is quite old already, I still play it nowadays, and have great fun, and this game is way better than Empire. Unmodded 7/10, modded 8/10.
  4. pierrem
    Sep 25, 2014
    9
    This game would deserve 8 without the fantastic modding community (try third age tw!). There are too many UI bugs (shame on musketeers!), but this game remains pure pleasure to play at.
  5. gamir96
    Sep 28, 2013
    9
    I gave it a 9 because you can not choose your heir and the cavalry can not destroy the fleeing enemy, it just run along them. other wise it will be a 10
  6. olivergirl
    Oct 30, 2013
    10
    this total war game is the one of the best total war games there are aj have all of them medieval 2 total war 2 have jeg playing 350 hours rome 2 is also a good game buy ittttt !!!!!!!!!!!!!!1 total war ps im am from denmark hehe
  7. Nickpips
    Nov 10, 2013
    10
    This is a great game! Compared to Rome: Total War, I'd rate this an 8 or 9, but I'll rate it a 10 to make up for some people rating it a 0. It's obviously not a 0 people, don't rate it that harshly. The only game with a 0 is Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. Everything else gets at least a 5.
  8. PvtJackson
    Jan 1, 2014
    10
    The next stage in European history: Middle Ages. Brilliantly dark and bloody, combined with obviously stunning graphic improvements, Medieval II: Total War is an outstanding strategy game that great fans of Activision's Total War don't want to miss at all.
  9. numerouno7
    Dec 28, 2013
    10
    This may be the last Total War game I ever play for a serious amount of time, the new ones just don't do it for me, and everything after this one has simply put..... flat out sucked! They removed many of the best features of Total War games like the retraining of units, family tree, the depth and amount of faction specific units. At this point I don't even want to see these guys make aThis may be the last Total War game I ever play for a serious amount of time, the new ones just don't do it for me, and everything after this one has simply put..... flat out sucked! They removed many of the best features of Total War games like the retraining of units, family tree, the depth and amount of faction specific units. At this point I don't even want to see these guys make a M3TW, because they will just mess it up and probably in the process ruin M2 for me.… Expand
  10. Gladismoxy
    Oct 7, 2014
    7
    Check this out once you have been sucked in the series by Rome 1. Battles need time getting used to, however the strategic world map is a huge improvement to all total war games. If you are a fan of turn based games like civilization, check this out... You just might be quite surprised.
  11. Scaryspirit1
    Apr 7, 2017
    10
    Simply a masterpiece, never has a game since perfectly represented medieval combat, strategy and sheer size. Over 1000s of units on the screen at once, with little-to-no impact on your PC. A legendary AI that uses tactics and everything the game has to offer, and if that doesn't take your fancy, the modding community surely has something that can entertain you.

    Pros: - Epic (siege &    Simply a masterpiece, never has a game since perfectly represented medieval combat, strategy and sheer size. Over 1000s of units on the screen at once, with little-to-no impact on your PC. A legendary AI that uses tactics and everything the game has to offer, and if that doesn't take your fancy, the modding community surely has something that can entertain you.

    Pros:
    - Epic (siege & regular) battles with 1000+ units.
    - In-depth tactics that anybody could learn and utilise.
    - More advanced tactics and strategies for veterans of M2TW.
    - A large world map with many settlements to conquer or hold.

    Cons:
    - At battles with 1500+ units, the game becomes choppy when played at x6 and x2 speed.    … Expand
  12. JustSomeGamer
    Jun 30, 2016
    8
    Great strategy game for its time. It is still a good game to this day, but it has clearly aged. The management of your cities for example can be incredibly painful when you have a lot of cities.
  13. BigJ69
    Dec 30, 2016
    10
    One of the best games in history. It's a shame things happened the way they did. The rest of the games in the series besides Rome Total War are absolute disappointments.
  14. LordMOrion
    Mar 21, 2017
    10
    An all-time PC game classic. This game is epic in scope, seamless in execution and breathtaking in detail. While Historical accuracy is not a big concern in this game, as a graduate in Medieval history I still enjoy it. The strategy map gives you a massive array of options, challenges and tools to conquer the world. Your rivals act in a fairly sensible manner, attacking each other and youAn all-time PC game classic. This game is epic in scope, seamless in execution and breathtaking in detail. While Historical accuracy is not a big concern in this game, as a graduate in Medieval history I still enjoy it. The strategy map gives you a massive array of options, challenges and tools to conquer the world. Your rivals act in a fairly sensible manner, attacking each other and you in equal measure. Every playthrough will be subtly different.

    However I have one minor criticism - diplomacy. This is an incredibly illogical and buggy system. Betrayal of alliances is virtually guaranteed regardless of what is done in the game. Some factions will act provocatively, i.e. by placing large armies by settlements but you will be regarded as 'treacherous' for responding. This is a minor bug though. All-in-all I've played it for 1,000 hours (according to Steam) and I'm looking forward to the next game.    … Expand
  15. boredboredbored
    May 20, 2017
    10
    Probably my favourite game, definitely on my top 5. Bought it back in 2006 and eleven years later and I'm still playing it. Mods like Stainless Steel also inject longevity into the title. This is a true strategy game where careful planning and timing will almost always trump brute-force and tank-rush tactics.

    In my opinion the Total War serious went in a downward spiral after TW:M2, but    Probably my favourite game, definitely on my top 5. Bought it back in 2006 and eleven years later and I'm still playing it. Mods like Stainless Steel also inject longevity into the title. This is a true strategy game where careful planning and timing will almost always trump brute-force and tank-rush tactics.

    In my opinion the Total War serious went in a downward spiral after TW:M2, but what a peak it is.    … Expand
  16. Caracaveinossa
    Nov 16, 2019
    10
    Very diversified factions, very good battles, excellent campaig. The only thing that prevents this from being the best game I ever played is the diplomacy (it's a bit lacking)
  17. Axilley
    Jul 22, 2021
    7
    good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good MD2
  18. dlcatalin
    Jul 13, 2020
    9
    I still play this in 2020, its a shame that its code locked to so little provinces and factions, it really restricts the modding community, mods are the only reason why i still play this
  19. Fany000
    Nov 4, 2018
    9
    Still a great experience even after 12 years from release. Games mechanics works just fine, graphics is not bad even nowadays, great soundtrack but AI could be a little bit clever. For me the best game from the Total War serie and still a piece that you should try.
  20. Amorph0us
    Jan 6, 2022
    10
    This is the kinf of massive rts games in my opinion. A gem for its age. The medieval theme was very suitable for a game of the total war series. Soundtrack is really memorable.
  21. Sandro86
    May 17, 2019
    8
    It was pretty descent game. Sieges and open field battles very good. Campaign was interesting too.
  22. Tilt1k
    Feb 5, 2019
    10
    Best total war game out of the old ones. Just perfect grand strategy with incredible mods like Third Age. I am sure everyone fan of strategies know M2TW so there is no reason to write more here :D.
  23. rezo_21
    Sep 19, 2021
    8
    ====================IIIIIIIIII GAME SCORE : 78 IIIIIIIIII====================
  24. AmethystWoe
    Apr 30, 2019
    9
    Любимая стратегия детства,единственное что меня всегда вымораживало в этой игре - недопиленая система дипломатии.Папа отлучает либо тебя,либо твоего противника 50/50 лотерея, при условии того,что Папа не был рожден на свет в одной из двух стран участниц. Перед нападением тебе обязательно предложат:заплати 250 или будет война,если на терпилычах выплачиваешь-она будет,если на аскетычахЛюбимая стратегия детства,единственное что меня всегда вымораживало в этой игре - недопиленая система дипломатии.Папа отлучает либо тебя,либо твоего противника 50/50 лотерея, при условии того,что Папа не был рожден на свет в одной из двух стран участниц. Перед нападением тебе обязательно предложат:заплати 250 или будет война,если на терпилычах выплачиваешь-она будет,если на аскетычах зажимаешь-её не будет).Ооочень странная дипломатия.Это пожалуй её единственный минус.В остальном,по моему скромному субъективному мнению это игра имеет лучшую систему РТС боев из всех военно-направленных стратегий.… Expand
  25. BoxKing
    Aug 12, 2019
    9
    Brilliant game that has stood the test of time. For me, it will always be the ultimate member of the Total War franchise.

    Huge range of units, many playable factions and really open to tactical freedom. Have also only just (2019!) played the Brittania DLC and really enjoying it. A break from the chaos with a smaller pool of factions involved. Only negative remains as always - a totally    Brilliant game that has stood the test of time. For me, it will always be the ultimate member of the Total War franchise.

    Huge range of units, many playable factions and really open to tactical freedom. Have also only just (2019!) played the Brittania DLC and really enjoying it. A break from the chaos with a smaller pool of factions involved.

    Only negative remains as always - a totally flawed alliance system. It relies on gifts and tributes, but will still be impossible to maintain an alliance, the AI are coded to backstab!    … Expand
  26. Shimmeywill
    Feb 26, 2020
    9
    Great units, immersion and fun factions. An epic and wholly entertaining time.
  27. Tiago_Voltaire
    Oct 29, 2019
    10
    Ainda melhor do que "Rome Total War", este se passa no final da Idade Média com lindos gráficos de 2006, trilha sonora espetacular e DLC que nos trazem Cruzadas, Inglaterra na Dark Ages e a conquista da América. Merecia, sem dúvidas, uma continuação.
  28. turansoylu
    Apr 10, 2020
    10
    Bu oyunu 200 saati aşkın bir süredir oynamışım. Harika bir oyun. Türkleri alın ve savaşın. Neden harika olduğunu göreceksiniz.
  29. erdogfu96
    Feb 9, 2020
    10
    It was well made game. Graphics were much better than alexander in same year. Gameplay were worse than rome total war and fun was also. It was little bit slow but still can get a shot, it is also most moddable one in it's series so think about playing it today. You can enjoy from it more than others with mods.
    Graphics:10/10
    Sounds: 10/10
    Gameplay: 9/10
    Fun: 9/10
  30. YTpetergamer965
    Feb 9, 2023
    7
    Battles are fun but sometimes it’s a bit hard to control your soldier as they seem to do what they want.
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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 »