It took the series in a bold new direction fueled by fantasy, strategically-level varied faction mechanics more aggressively than ever before, and redefined its aesthetic with a major engine overhaul. Total War 2016: Warhammer changed the course of Total War. Here are the best Total War games, in no particular order: Instead, we’ll walk you through what each of our picks do well and differently from other games in the series, and why they can be considered “essential” – loved by fans and yet truly emulated by every other game in the series. It is, of course, impossible to crown a single Total War game the “best,” because – especially since Warhammer – they do so many different things, with their different parameters affecting the feel of their campaigns and tactical battles. We’ve put together a list of the best and most essential Total War games, from Shogun to Three Kingdoms to the fantasy foray that is Warhammer. If you’ve ever been curious about this mainstay of PC gaming, look no further.
There have been 14 games in that timeframe – not counting the Mobile Spinoffs or the canceled and underrated Total War: Arena.
That’s longer than iPhones, broadband, and most memes. So, you want the best Total War game? Shogun: Total War was released in June 2000, which means the venerable series of strategies have been around for over 20 years now.
