Total War: Empire review – “The most comprehensive strategy mobile game I’ve ever played”

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As a seasoned strategy gamer with years of experience under my belt, I can confidently say that Total War: Empire is a breath of fresh air in the mobile gaming scene. Having dabbled in the original series on PC, I was eager to see how this adaptation would fare, and let me tell you – it did not disappoint!

Eagerly seized the offer when presented with the chance to evaluate Total War: Empire. The reason? I’ve been listening to tales of this title for an extended period – my fiancé has been raving about this nearly two-decade-old game, and I couldn’t let it slip through my fingers.

Today, we’ll be examining a critique for the mobile adaptation of Total War: Empire. Our objective is to ascertain whether this version is merely a straightforward transfer or if it offers something more substantial. Rest assured, it’s definitely not just a basic port! By the way, if you’re intrigued, we also have a review for Total War: Rome waiting for you!

What’s all this fuss about Total War: Empire?

For those not in the know, Total War has been a staple in real-time
strategy
for a long time now. It started off with Shogun, which was released all the way back in 2000, and it was on PC. In fact, most of the Total War franchise has been for PC.

In some instances within the series, certain games have been adapted for mobile devices. However, when discussing Total War: Empire, it’s not just a straightforward adaptation. Instead, it offers a plethora of fresh features and enhancements, making it a more convenient experience specifically tailored for portable use.

Let’s start off with the obvious: the visuals

The first thing you see when you start your journey is the UI. This has been designed specifically for touchscreen devices, which doesn’t really apply to any other ones in the series. Obviously, right?

Total War: Empire’s user interface stands out as remarkably intuitive, making it effortless to oversee your settlements, armies, and a myriad of other aspects. It’s truly remarkable. In contrast to what you might anticipate for something from the year 2024, such as Age of Empires Mobile, the interface is strikingly different. While Age of Empires Mobile seems more modern, Total War: Empire maintains its classic simplicity and clarity.

I didn’t find any enhanced visuals in this game, which may not be what you were hoping for. As I entered without any specific expectations, I can honestly say my opinion is rather impartial about the graphics.

It requires a lot from your device

Total War: Empire is pretty massive in terms of capacity, and it can require up to 24GB of free storage. I mean, what did you expect? The PC versions require around the same amount too!

Regarding the system specifications, you will require an operating system of at least Android 12. For your convenience, here is a list of the devices compatible with this version, should you be curious if yours qualifies to run it:

  • Google Pixel 3 / 3XL / 4 / 4XL / 6 / 6a / 6 Pro / 7 / 7a / 7 Pro / 8 / 8a / 8 Pro / 9 / 9 Pro / 9 Pro XL
  • Google Pixel Tablet
  • Honor 90
  • Lenovo Tab P11 Pro Gen 2
  • Motorola Edge 40 / Edge 40 Neo / Edge 50 Pro
  • Motorola Moto G54
  • Nothing Phone (1)
  • OnePlus 7 / 8 / 8T / 9 / 10 Pro 5G / 11 / 12
  • OnePlus Nord 2 5G / Nord 4
  • OnePlus Pad / Pad 2
  • REDMAGIC 9 Pro
  • Samsung Galaxy Note10 / Note10+ / Note20 5G
  • Samsung Galaxy S10 / S10+ / S10e / S20 / S20+ / S21 5G / S21 Ultra 5G / S22 /
  • 2+ / S22 Ultra / S23 / S23+ / S23 Ultra / S24 / S24+ / S24 Ultra
  • Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 / S7 / S8 / S8+ / S8 Ultra / S9
  • Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 / Z Fold4
  • Sony Xperia 1 II / 1 III / 1 IV / 5 II
  • Xiaomi 12 / 12T / 13T / 13T Pro
  • Xiaomi Mi 11
  • Xiaomi Pad 5
  • Xiaomi Poco F3 / F5 / F6 / X3 Pro / X6 Pro

I tested the software on the REDMAGIC 9 Pro, ensuring it worked perfectly with my device. If your model isn’t listed, there’s a chance your phone may not have full compatibility. It’s a bit disheartening, but let’s hope that won’t apply to most of you.

The gameplay feels like a piece of history you can see and interact with

The OG has been praised for its historical accuracy and factual data, including strategic depth, and this mobile adaptation does just that flawlessly. I couldn’t help but force myself to look up facts about various battles, and so far, you can tell that the team did their homework.

It’s crucial to carefully consider each action, deal, or agreement you make, as there’s a risk they might come back to haunt you. I’ve learned this the hard way, by rushing headlong into some overly ambitious actions without proper planning, and let me tell you, it’s not an enjoyable experience. Based on my personal experience, I strongly advise against being complacent with your choices and simply hoping for the best, because chances are, things won’t go your way.

After countless hours of strategizing, trial, and error, I managed to piece together quite the formidable gaming unit, giving me an edge initially. But that advantage didn’t last long, so here’s a tip: do your homework and choose every move meticulously. It ain’t a walk in the park!

What’s the takeaway?

I’ll start by addressing this part to all new players who might want to give it a try. If you haven’t had any previous experience with the Total War series, this will be a challenge. It’s fun, don’t get me wrong, but it is not easy. I recommend you do a lot of reading while you wait for the resources to download, because everything you learn in the tutorial phase will come in handy.

The comprehensive support system has all the essential information you require to kick off your campaign conveniently at your fingertips.

For experienced gamers who are familiar with Total War: Empire, let me simply explain that this console version maintains the essence of the original game while introducing unique elements and omitting a few.

If you’re a fan of challenging strategy games, I strongly suggest you give this one a try as it offers an exceptional experience. Unlike many beginner-friendly strategies, it doesn’t babysit or offer too much forgiveness. Instead, you’ll be given a flag and tasked with planting it – no exceptions!

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2024-11-30 06:48