Medieval: Total War 2

[Master of the Game]

So, I'm a huge Rome fan, and now that I have a new computer, I need a new game. How does the new Total War play? Is it better than Rome?

 

[Banshee16]

So, I'm a huge Rome fan, and now that I have a new computer, I need a new game. How does the new Total War play? Is it better than Rome?

I've got it, but haven't played it much. Playing NWN2, and promised a buddy that I'd wait to play Medieval 2 until he picks it up, so I don't have way more experience with it than he does.

I haven't played Rome, but I played Medieval 1. The gameplay is very much like the first one, but the graphics are way, way better, and the battles play out much better. All the soldiers have individual features, instead of being clones of each other. Overall, the game is pretty cool so far.

The only thing I don't like is that you can only choose from five factions at the start. You have to beat the game as one of them first, which then unlocks others like Byzantium, etc. And the ones that you unlock are the ones I was really hoping to play.

But overall, definitely cool

Banshee

 

[Simplicity]

I like Medieval 2: Total War better than the original Medieval: Total War.
And that's saying a lot. Things that I like better:

- The differentiation between castles and cities makes running an economy easier.
- Many more strategic choices at the campaign map level. Lots of buildings to build.
- Bigger battles with people who actually defend the castle walls, rather than flail attempting to move.
- The Pope goes from being an evil, dirty bastard in the first game... To being a full on Pit Fiend in this one. Example: In my current game, the Pope has demanded that I send my faction's heir on a Crusade to Antioch (half-way across the world). If I don't, my faction will probably be excommunicated and Venice, Milan, and Denmark will divide me up like a box of donuts. Personally, I think it's time to build some balista towers.

 

[Master of the Game]

Excellent. Off to Frys, thanks for the help.

 

[Galethorn]

- The Pope goes from being an evil, dirty bastard in the first game... To being a full on Pit Fiend in this one. Example: In my current game, the Pope has demanded that I send my faction's heir on a Crusade to Antioch (half-way across the world). If I don't, my faction will probably be excommunicated and Venice, Milan, and Denmark will divide me up like a box of donuts. Personally, I think it's time to build some balista towers.

Really? I've found that the pope is a pretty great 'guy' (more on that later,) when you have 'him' on your side. I've managed to declare a crusade on Denmark, and get some pretty good extra rewards for pillaging the Levant.

That said, I bet you're playing as the Germans, whereas I was playing as the Scots.

Anyway, the 'him' thing...

You might sometimes notice that priests, on occasion, have the trait 'secretly female,' which gives a bonus to piety, because they apparently have to be that much more dedicated to their religion to counter the fear of being exposed. Well, let's just say I had one such priest, and he/she went on a heretic-burning campaign lasting about 10 years. Then, he/she outmatched all other cardinals in piety, and he/she became Pope.

That was one of the finest moments in all of gaming for me; getting an androgynous Scottish woman elected as Pope.

 

[trancejeremy]

That was one of the finest moments in all of gaming for me; getting an androgynous Scottish woman elected as Pope.

If her name were Nessie and she had a really long neck, then it would be really impressive...