Medieval total war is without a doubt the best strategy game I have ever been privileged enough to play. Despite its outdated graphic's and limited cinematography the Game has withstood the test of time and is a far better game than all that proceeded it.
A key feature of its success is its balance of simplicity with extensive detail. The game features numerous factions from all areas of Europe stretching from Egypt to the Russian empire. The game also includes the new inclusion of new threats such as invasions from the Mongols in sync with its actual occurrence.
The single player campaign is the central part of the game and is certainly the most entertaining. The main role of the single player campaign takes place on a simulated map which contains pieces which represent armies, priests, assassins and so on. This adds to the realism of the game and differs from its following games in which movement involve men traveling on real terrain with a view from an all knowing being which I find terribly annoying and unrealistic. Whilst future games travel in real time and have a more realistic reaction to terrain this is in frustratingly small distances. Medieval total war lets pieces travel one country at a time which is more efficient and entertaining despite its slightly less realistic nature.
The whole layout of the game is fantastic in the sense of actually leading an empire to victory to be truly felt with constant letters updating events and emissaries asking for alliances or marriage to an heir. The depictions of such events by simple sketches are far more powerful then a modernized cinematic video that brings history lovers right back into the 21st century as seen in other games. This is accompanied by eerie middle age music and constant updates in sync with events that are recorded to of taken place such as the children's crusade and the introduction of gunpowder. These all have real time consequences and can adversely affect your empire.
Another great thing about the game is that there is so much to do. The numerous amount of buildings available to build and the differing and diverse soldiers provide limitless entertainment. Also events such as the anointing of a new pope or revolt can turn the whole game on its head in a truly exciting fashion.
A great thing about the game is the amount of freedom that it grants you. If you like you can not fight a battle at all and rely entirely on strategy with fairly realistic results of battle. If you chose to fight battle is satisfactory in this day and age but fantastic for its time. Though when compared to its resulting sequel battles are of a slightly less quality but nonetheless entertaining.
The game is fantastic in the sense that there is not too much to do. You can set taxes to be self regulating and well as building to create its own troops. Also building great castles and crushing results is very enjoyable as well as being offered to option of ransoming back generals or executing rioters.
All in all the game is extensive, challenging and brilliant as one can be satisfied with days of game play feeling as though they are truly controlling a great medieval empire. Another fantastic thing is that you can pick another nation and do it all over again!
