The Total War franchise, is the definition of the Grand Strategy genre, with deep campaigns that can even last 100 hours if you want to! The most well-known mechanic that TW games used since the first entry back in 2000, is the combination of a campaign / strategic map, and real-time battles with myriads of different units and tactics.
There are 14 Total War games released to date, along with 2 Saga games and several spinoffs – most containing a wealth of DLCs – and Creative Assembly recently released a Card Game in closed beta. This list aims to help you identify which entries are the right ones for you, since the historical setting of each one will play a major role in your enjoyment of the game.
 | Total War™ PHARAOHOctober, 2023 TBC |   |
| About | |
|---|---|
| Release Date October, 2023 TBC | |
 | Developer Creative Assembly |
 | Publisher SEGA |
| Franchise Total War™ | |
| Genre Grand Strategy | |
| Graphics 3D | |
| Perspective Isometric | |
| Interaction Real-Time (with Pause), Turn-Based | |
| Concept Historical | |
| Players Single Player | |
| Monetization Buy to Play | |
 | Country of Origin United Kingdom |
| Available On | |||
|---|---|---|---|
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Total War Pharaoh is the upcoming mainline Total War game.
 | Total War™ WARHAMMER® III2022 | |
| About | |
|---|---|
| Release Date February 17, 2022 | |
| Developer Creative Assembly |
| Publisher SEGA |
| Franchise Total War™ | |
| Genre Grand Strategy | |
| Graphics 3D | |
| Perspective Isometric | |
| Interaction Real-Time (with Pause), Turn-Based | |
| Concept Dark Fantasy | |
| Players Online Co-Op, Online PvP, Single Player | |
| Monetization Buy to Play | |
| Country of Origin United Kingdom |
| Available On | |||
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Combining all factions & leaders from the previous two WARHAMMER installments, this is the most massive Total War game to date, in terms of raw content.
It’s the last piece of the trilogy, and if you are a Warhammer or Fantasy fan, it’s definitely your best option in the Total War franchise.
Release Date: TBA (Closed Beta)
Developer: Creative Assembly
Publisher: SEGA
Platforms: Windows
Creative Assembly decided to create a Card Game based on the Total War franchise, and considering from the fate of any CCG that’s not Hearthstone… we can only hope it will turn out good!
They promised that strategic thinking will have a far heavier impact than luck, so I do hope they will deliver, and actually create a card game that’s unique, and can survive the market.
Release Date: August 13, 2020
Developer: Creative Assembly, Feral Interactive
Publisher: SEGA, Feral Interactive
Platforms: Windows, Mac, Linux
Game Engine: Warscape Engine (64-bit)
This is the second entry in the Saga series, and revolves around the Trojan War and Ancient Greece, making it the oldest time in history for a TW game! The game was gived away for free on its release date through the Epic Games store, and would release on Steam a few months after.
There’s a wealth of new mechanics here, most notably a resource system often seen in other strategy games, where the economy is heavily based on resources, instead of money.
 | Total War™ THREE KINGDOMS2019 | |
| About | |
|---|---|
| Release Date May 23, 2019 | |
| Developer Creative Assembly |
| Publisher SEGA |
| Franchise Total War™ | |
| Genre Grand Strategy | |
| Graphics 3D | |
| Perspective Isometric | |
| Interaction Real-Time (with Pause), Turn-Based | |
| Concept Historical | |
| Players Single Player | |
| Monetization Buy to Play | |
| Country of Origin United Kingdom |
| Available On | |||
|---|---|---|---|
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Game Engine: Warscape Engine (64-bit)
Ancient China is an ideal setting for a Grand Strategy game, and Three Kingdoms delivers on this front. It feels like a blend of Warhammer’s technology, with Shogun’s unique flavor blended into one!
It’s certainly a winning combination, and if you want the newest TW experience, then this should be your choice, since the Warhammer games have too many fantasy elements for a hardcore strategist!
Release Date: May 2, 2018
Developer: Creative Assembly, Feral Interactive
Publisher: SEGA, Feral Interactive
Platforms: Windows, Mac, Linux
Game Engine: Warscape Engine (64-bit)
Thrones of Britannia is the first entry in the “Total War Saga” series, which effectively means it’s smaller in scope, focuses more on historical outcomes, and is easier to test more mechanics without “breaking” any of the bigger games.
ToB is polished, and a great choice for fans of Anglo-Saxon & Viking conflicts. The sadder truth is that it feels too similar to Attila, and in general, ToB does nothing better than other TW entries, so unless you “want it all”, better look at other TW titles.
 | Total War™ WARHAMMER® II2017 | |
| About | |
|---|---|
| Release Date September 28, 2017 | |
| Developer Creative Assembly |
| Publisher SEGA |
| Franchise Total War™ | |
| Genre Grand Strategy | |
| Graphics 3D | |
| Perspective Isometric | |
| Interaction Real-Time (with Pause), Turn-Based | |
| Concept Dark Fantasy | |
| Players Online Co-Op, Online PvP, Single Player | |
| Monetization Buy to Play | |
| Country of Origin United Kingdom |
| Available On | |||
|---|---|---|---|
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Game Engine: Warscape Engine (64-bit)
Warhammer II came out shortly after I, and what’s good about it, is that it includes all factions & DLC lords you have acquired from the 1st one! Even though the main campaign focuses on a new mechanic of securing a magic vortex in the center of the map, you can get the “Mortal Empires” campaign for free, which allows you to play on a huge map, with any faction you want from Warhammer I & II.
With that said, and since II upgrades and polishes many mechanics of the original one, it’s heavily advised that you invest in II, and grab any additional factions you need from the 1st one!
 | Total War™ WARHAMMER®2016 | |
| About | |
|---|---|
| Release Date May 24, 2016 | |
| Developer Creative Assembly |
| Publisher SEGA |
| Franchise Total War™ | |
| Genre Grand Strategy | |
| Graphics 3D | |
| Perspective Isometric | |
| Interaction Real-Time (with Pause), Turn-Based | |
| Concept Dark Fantasy | |
| Players Online Co-Op, Online PvP, Single Player | |
| Monetization Buy to Play | |
| Country of Origin United Kingdom |
| Available On | |||
|---|---|---|---|
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Game Engine: Warscape Engine (64-bit)
As mentioned above, Total War: Warhammer II, offers the ability to use all your purchased factions & lords from I. So there is no real reason to invest in the original game, unless you want to use some of the factions in the 2nd installment.
The original game is still amazing, but II builds upon it even better, so you will be getting a much more complete gaming experience, and especially if you are a fan of the tabletop, you’re in for a real treat!
 | Total War™ ATTILA2015 | |
| About | |
|---|---|
| Release Date February 17, 2015 | |
| Developer Creative Assembly |
| Publisher SEGA |
| Franchise Total War™ | |
| Genre Grand Strategy | |
| Graphics 3D | |
| Perspective Isometric | |
| Interaction Real-Time (with Pause), Turn-Based | |
| Concept Historical | |
| Players Single Player | |
| Monetization Buy to Play | |
| Country of Origin United Kingdom |
| Available On | |||
|---|---|---|---|
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Game Engine: Warscape Engine (32-bit)
Set at the beginning of the Dark Ages, in 395AD, Attila is a homage to war! Even though it’s quite similar to its predecessor, Rome II, the technological leap is also apparent from the previous installment.
It’s worth noting however that there’s been a lot of rebalancing compared to Rome II, therefore it’s a slightly more casual experience, focusing more on enjoyment than micromanagement. Attila is most probably known for the big amount of great historical mods that are available, and that spark new life to it.
 | Total War™ ROME II2013 | |
| About | |
|---|---|
| Release Date September 03, 2013 | |
| Developer Creative Assembly |
| Publisher SEGA |
| Franchise Total War™ | |
| Genre Grand Strategy | |
| Graphics 3D | |
| Perspective Isometric | |
| Interaction Real-Time (with Pause), Turn-Based | |
| Concept Historical | |
| Players Single Player | |
| Monetization Buy to Play | |
| Country of Origin United Kingdom |
| Remakes | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Total War™ ROME II (2013 Original Release) |  | ||
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| Total War™ ROME II Emperor Edition (2014 Collection) |  | ||
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| Total War™ ROME II Spartan Edition (2018 Collection) |  | ||
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| Total War™ ROME II Enemy At The Gates Edition (2020 Collection) |  | ||
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Game Engine: Warscape Engine (32-bit)
Rome II is a grand continuation of the original Rome: Total War, and it’s arguably one of the best historical settings we’ve had so far in the franchise. There are also many mechanics that complement the political turmoil of these times, so keeping both your nobles and your generals aligned with your agenda is crucial.
If you are a true fan of the Roman times, I would suggest you take a look at Imperator: Rome from Paradox Interactive as well, since it focuses on the roleplaying elements with much more depth. But if you’re in the market for a solid TW entry, then Rome II can’t disappoint.
Release Date: March 15, 2011
Developer: Creative Assembly, Feral Interactive
Publisher: SEGA, Feral Interactive
Platforms: Windows, Mac, Linux
Game Engine: Warscape Engine (32-bit)
Shogun 2 builds upon the original Shogun: Total War game, which is the first one to ever come out! If you enjoy Asian cultures you’re far better off with the newer “Three Kingdoms” entry, but that’s not to say Shogun 2 lacks polish – especially considering its release window.
Your task is to unify all the Japanese clans under your own, and if you are a “Battle Mode” guy, then Shogun 2 offers a highly strategic experience, and as always, great variations between the different factions.
Release Date: February 23, 2010
Developer: Creative Assembly, Feral Interactive
Publisher: SEGA, Feral Interactive
Platforms: Windows, Mac
Game Engine: Warscape Engine (32-bit)
Napoleon focuses on a very specific historical setting, during the Spanish Peninsula between 1811 and 1814, and gives you the chance to experience it as Spain, Great Britain or of course France!
It’s the most recent history timeline we’ve had in a TW game, and it’s very interesting to use the invention of gunpowder to your advantage in battle! If you enjoyed Empire, then you will enjoy this one too!
Release Date: March 3, 2009
Developer: Creative Assembly, Feral Interactive
Publisher: SEGA, Feral Interactive
Platforms: Windows, Mac, Linux
Game Engine: Warscape Engine (32-bit)
Empire is the first TW game to use the 3rd Total War Game Engine, and the technological leap from the previous entries is highly apparent. Empire revolves around the American colonization, and you will be responsible to fend off the invaders from the native American lands!
There’s a heavy focus on naval combat, and this fact alone was a big breakthrough back then! It’s the oldest TW game you can play without feeling… too old, and it certainly set many standards for all the games that arrived ahead of it.
Release Date: November 10, 2006
Developer: Creative Assembly, Feral Interactive
Publisher: SEGA, Feral Interactive
Platforms: Windows, Mac, Linux
Game Engine: Total War Engine 2
I do hope that Medieval II’s 20-year anniversary will be celebrated with the release of Medieval III. It is the most interesting timeline for a Total War game after all! Medieval II is a massive game with multiple different campaigns, and a wealth of unique factions and buildings.
Many hardcore TW fans consider it to be the best Total War game to this day, as the immersion and gameplay intensity is unmatched. Some huge mods like “Third Age”, breath new life to the game even today, so if you’re a serious strategist, you won’t be disappointed.
 | ROME Total War™2004 |     |
| About | |
|---|---|
| Release Date September 22, 2004 | |
| Developer Creative Assembly |
 | Publisher Activision |
| Franchise Total War™ | |
| Genre Grand Strategy | |
| Graphics 3D | |
| Perspective Isometric | |
| Interaction Real-Time (with Pause), Turn-Based | |
| Concept Historical | |
| Players Single Player | |
| Monetization Buy to Play | |
| Country of Origin United Kingdom |
| Remakes | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| ROME Total War™ (2004 Original Release) |  | ||
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| ROME Total War™ Barbarian Invasion (2005 Expansion) |  | ||
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| ROME Total War™ Alexander (2006 Expansion) |  | ||
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| ROME Total War™ Collection (2007 Complete Edition) |  | ||
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| Total War™ ROME Remastered (2021 Remake) |  | ||
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Game Engine: Total War Engine 2
Most of the claims about Medieval II, stand true for Rome: Total War as well, what changes mostly is the historical setting and timeline. Similar to Rome II, you are tasked with leading one of the noble Roman families, in order to seize control of the whole Roman Empire!
The big modding community has a lot to offer here too, and if the game’s age is not a negative factor for you, you can enjoy one of the greatest TW campaign modes of all times!
Release Date: August 19, 2002
Developer: Creative Assembly
Publisher: SEGA
Platforms: Windows
Game Engine: Total War Engine 1
If you are a fan of Medieval settings, I definitely suggest you check Medieval II instead, as the original game is just too old for most people nowadays! However, if you’re up for a trip in history, and a real challenge, then that’s what you’ll get with Medieval: Total War!
Many mechanics are quite different from what they ended up being today, so if you need a “fresh” TW experience and perspective, then you’re definitely getting it with this one!
Release Date: June 13, 2000
Developer: Creative Assembly
Publisher: SEGA
Platforms: Windows
Game Engine: Total War Engine 1
This is where it all started! More than 20 years ago, Shogun: Total War introduced a new type of strategy game that proved itself through the test of time, and certainly inspires Grand Strategy games up to today!
Sure, moving JPEGs in battle aren’t that interesting nowadays, but rest assured that the campaign map and the strategic decisions you will face, are more than worth it! If you are curious to see how it all started, then it’s sure worth fulfilling that curiosity!
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Babalon, Mother of Abominations
16-hours / day in front of the screen entrepreneur, of which 6+ are spent on gaming. MMOs, CCGs, RPGs and many more, Steam-addict & achievement-w***e. Currently wasting life on BDO & Gacha Games.
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