Great

Perfect

¶ A timeless classic that captures the drama, complexity, and majesty of the Middle Ages. Navigating a vast globe of Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East as a ruler requires striking a balance between military force, diplomacy, and religion. The Crusades and Jihads mechanics are standout features, adding depth and variety to the main campaign. They feel like small adventures on their own. Starting a crusade is exciting because it brings together various factions to reclaim the Holy Land or seize new territories.

¶ The game’s battle mechanics are exceptional for its time, featuring massive real-time clashes with knights, bowmen, and siege equipment. There are few things that can match the tension of defending a failing citadel against overwhelming odds or witnessing a cavalry assault tearing through enemy ranks. In order to preserve order and finance your conquests, meticulous preparation is necessary due to the strategic dimension added by the economics and city administration systems. I particularly enjoy the perk system for generals in the family tree; if your commanders remain idle, their armies won’t improve, encouraging active use.

¶ Historical events and small cinematic videos showcasing the successes or failures of your agents are great. Unfortunately, new TW games don't have that.

¶ The Kingdoms expansion elevates the experience with four focused campaigns:

• Americas – Explore the clash of cultures between European colonizers and native civilizations.
• Britannia – Engage in the feuds and alliances of medieval Britain.
• Teutonic – Take in the Northern Crusades alongside Baltic factions and the Teutonic Order.
• Crusades – Explore in further detail the battles over the Holy Land during the Crusades.
Each campaign introduces unique factions, units, and objectives, offering fresh challenges and perspectives.

¶ Medieval II still has a thriving modding community years after it was first released, thanks to mods like Third Age: Total War and Stainless Steel. Whether you’re a seasoned Total War fan or a newcomer, Total War: MEDIEVAL II is a must-play for anyone who loves strategy and history.
The game is must-play for anybody who enjoys strategy and history, regardless of experience level.

great

A great classic that I keep coming back too, every Total War after is compared to this game and they still have yet to grasp what made this one so good.

you can play as the pope and conquer europe W game

To this day I play this wonderful game. The setting of the Crusades is fascinating enough with the two worlds (the Christian one and the Muslim one) clashing, but when they added the Mongol and Timurid invasions, as well as the discovery of the New World, into the grand campaign, it just blows my mind every time I play it. You can experience the grand changes in tactics and warfare from spears and bows to gunpowder and war elephants with canons. At the same time, there are so many different nuances to this game, and small gameplay details, that to this day it remains one of my most loved ones. I wish they made the next Medieval just like this one but with improved graphics and more challenging AI. Other than that, a perfect game from the past.

Game Title: Total War: MEDIEVAL II – Definitive Edition
Developer/Publisher: Creative Assembly, SEGA
Release Date: November 15, 2006
Platforms: PC (Windows, Mac, Linux)
Genre: Grand Strategy / Real-Time Tactics

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Ice and snow howl in the barren tundras of HowlStrom, where I, Kiba Snowpaw, observe the tides of countless wars. From atop my glacial throne, I’ve played thousands of games—some fleeting, others deeply rooted in memory. Yet Total War: MEDIEVAL II… well, this one simply doesn’t resonate with my icy soul. It isn’t a bad game by any measure, but for a frost-bound wolf like me who thrives on faster-paced, immersive gameplay, its sprawling mechanics feel as alien as an unthawed desert.

This review is a journey through its strengths, shortcomings, and how it stacks up against similar titles, all wrapped in my trademark frosty analysis.

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Set in the turbulent medieval era, MEDIEVAL II lets you take control of one of many factions spanning Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and the Americas. Your mission? Dominate the map through diplomacy, conquest, and cunning. Whether you lead England in its crusades or the Moors in their expansion, the game provides a blank slate for rewriting history.

But for a wolf like me who prefers direct action over spreadsheets and meticulous planning, the campaign’s slow burn often felt like trudging through slushy snow rather than a gripping adventure.

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MEDIEVAL II doesn’t break molds—it refines them. As a sequel to Rome: Total War, it improves upon the formula with better visuals, more factions, and expanded mechanics like religion, city management, and diplomacy. However, in a genre where innovation is key, MEDIEVAL II leans heavily on its predecessors without introducing anything groundbreaking.

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Creative Assembly has long been a titan in the strategy genre, and MEDIEVAL II remains one of their most celebrated titles. However, their later entries, like Three Kingdoms and Warhammer, show a willingness to modernize and experiment that this game lacks. While MEDIEVAL II was revolutionary in its time, it now feels like an ancient relic—a reminder of when strategy games were less streamlined and more methodical.

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1. Core Gameplay:
You’ll juggle empire management, diplomacy, and battlefield tactics. The turn-based campaign offers a sprawling chessboard where every move counts. The real-time battles are the highlight, letting you command thousands of troops in cinematic clashes.

2. Diplomacy and Religion:
The addition of religion adds a unique layer, with crusades, jihads, and papal politics influencing the map. However, diplomacy often feels rudimentary, with AI factions flip-flopping alliances unpredictably.

3. AI and Difficulty:
The AI oscillates between hyper-aggressive and completely inept. Managing your kingdom becomes more about micromanaging arbitrary mechanics than responding to a believable opponent.

4. Factions and Variety:
From the Mongols to the Holy Roman Empire, each faction feels distinct, offering unique units, strengths, and strategies. However, the sheer number of factions can feel overwhelming for newcomers.

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1. Campaign Length:
Each campaign can take upwards of 50 hours to complete, requiring intense dedication. For those who prefer shorter, punchier experiences, this is a hard sell.

2. Replayability:
While the variety of factions and strategies adds replay value, the core loop rarely changes, leading to a sense of repetition over time.

3. Visuals:
The game’s visuals, while impressive in 2006, have aged like a snowflake in sunlight. Mods can enhance the experience, but the base game looks dated.

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Despite its age, MEDIEVAL II has left an indelible mark on the genre. It inspired countless mods, from Third Age: Total War to Stainless Steel, extending its lifespan and cementing its place as a fan-favorite. However, its influence wanes in the face of modern titles like Crusader Kings III.

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What I Liked:

• Complex, rewarding strategy mechanics.
  
• Immersive real-time battles.
  
• A wide array of factions to choose from.
  
• Deep modding community.

What I Disliked:

• Slow pacing that can feel tedious.
  
• Outdated graphics and UI.
  
• Clunky diplomacy and AI behavior.
  
• Steep learning curve for new players.

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Let’s get one thing straight: MEDIEVAL II isn’t a bad game—it’s just not for me. As an Alpha Ice Wolf who values fluid gameplay and engaging narratives, this title’s meticulous mechanics and drawn-out campaigns left me cold in the wrong way.

Enjoyment Level: 5/10 – Too methodical for this frosty wolf.
Hate Level: 2/10 – I respect what it’s doing; it’s just not my vibe.

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Compared to Crusader Kings III, MEDIEVAL II feels rigid and dated. Against Total War: Warhammer, its lack of fantastical elements makes it less engaging for those who prefer spectacle over realism.

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Total War: MEDIEVAL II is a cornerstone of the strategy genre, but it’s not for everyone. If you’re a fan of methodical gameplay and historical settings, it might be your next great conquest. For others like me, it’s a game to respect from afar while chasing more dynamic adventures.

Verdict: 6/10 – A relic of its time, best left to dedicated strategists. 🐾

dont waist your time

so good