I approached Napoleon: Total War with skepticism. To me, it seemed like an expansion pack to Empire: Total War rather than a standalone game. But how wrong I was. Unlike the sprawling Rome series, which receives dozens of expansions and mods, Napoleon stands alone—no additional content, no DLC glut from the studio known for milking players. Creative Assembly’s infamous greed, unfortunately, tarnishes the experience, making you pay for the same game multiple times.

Yet, once I looked past this disappointment, I found a surprisingly intricate game, rich with historical detail. From firearms to the real names of generals and the geopolitical tensions of the era, the attention to historical context is palpable. Gameplay is finely tuned, and the battle mechanics have a realism that makes for some fascinating moments. For example, if you recruit mercenaries from nearby lands, they won't form neat, disciplined ranks—they'll stand awkwardly and out of formation. And the AI, while impressive in some respects, is a mixed bag on higher difficulties. It tends to spread into a single, wide line rather than form the proper battle columns of the period. Cavalry charges, too, often play out strangely, with horses running straight into infantry squares instead of breaking off when faced with a wall of bayonets.

However, what shines is the depth of the game’s economy and diplomacy. Managing resources and alliances is not only a necessary strategy but a genuinely engaging aspect of gameplay. These features draw you in, making you think not just as a battlefield commander but as a statesman balancing power and politics.

Napoleon: Total War is a rare installment that excels by staying within its limits. While it doesn't offer endless expansion, it delivers a tightly crafted experience that captures the spirit of the era in its own, standalone way. It’s a game that deserves a second look—just be prepared to pay for it, and pay again.

There is no UI scaling for 4K

Un jeu de grande valeur