Total War is a globally acclaimed series of strategy games developed by Creative Assembly, with its roots dating back to the year 2000. Over the years, the franchise has become synonymous with large-scale historical warfare, deep strategic campaigns, and cinematic real-time battles.
What truly sets Total War apart is its unique blend of turn-based empire management and real-time tactical combat, allowing players to rule nations, manage economies, and command massive armies on the battlefield.
The Best Total War Games You Can Play Today
The Total War series spans multiple historical periods and even ventures into fantasy, offering something for both long-time RTS veterans and players new to grand strategy. Below you’ll find a carefully selected list of the best Total War games, each representing a different era and playstyle, while showcasing what makes the franchise so enduring and rewarding.
Rome: Total War
Rome: Total War, released in 2004, is widely regarded as one of the most iconic and influential entries in the entire franchise. Set during the height of the Roman Republic and Empire, the game allows players to control powerful factions and expand their influence across Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa.
Rome: Total War Gold Edition
Release Date: September 22, 2004
Genres: Strategy
The campaign combines political management, diplomacy, and military conquest, while real-time battles deliver epic clashes between legions, cavalry, and siege engines. Its focus on historical authenticity and scale helped define the modern Total War formula.
Best for: classic historical strategy and large-scale ancient warfare
Medieval II: Total War
Medieval II: Total War builds upon the foundation laid by Rome, refining nearly every system and transporting players to the turbulent medieval era. You can lead legendary factions such as England, France, Spain, or the Holy Roman Empire, shaping the political and religious future of Europe.
Medieval II: Total War Definitive Edition
Release Date: November 15, 2006
Genres: Real Time Strategy (RTS), Turn-based strategy (TBS), Tactical
The game shines thanks to its deep campaign mechanics, crusades and jihads, dynastic politics, and memorable historical battles. Its extensive modding support has kept it alive for years, with community-created content offering entirely new campaigns and scenarios.
Best for: medieval warfare, deep campaigns, and long-term replayability
Total War: Shogun 2
Total War: Shogun 2 marked a major turning point for the series, delivering significant improvements in visuals, AI, and overall polish. Set in feudal Japan, the game focuses on clan-based warfare during the Sengoku period.
Total War: Shogun 2
Release Date: March 14, 2011
Genres: Real Time Strategy (RTS), Simulator, Strategy, Turn-based strategy (TBS)
With a minimalist yet elegant design, Shogun 2 emphasizes tactical positioning, morale, and terrain. The beautifully recreated Japanese atmosphere, combined with disciplined samurai armies and naval combat, earned the game widespread critical acclaim.
Best for: refined tactics, atmosphere, and balanced strategy gameplay
Total War: Warhammer
Total War: Warhammer successfully merged Creative Assembly’s strategic expertise with the rich fantasy universe of Warhammer. Instead of historical armies, players command factions filled with dragons, undead legions, demons, and mythical beasts.
Total War: WARHAMMER III
Release Date: February 17, 2022
Genres: Real Time Strategy (RTS), Strategy
The game introduces faction-specific mechanics, magic systems, and narrative-driven campaigns, making each playthrough feel distinct. A robust lineup of DLCs further expands the experience with new races, legendary lords, and campaign systems.
Best for: fantasy fans and asymmetric faction gameplay
Total War Saga: Thrones of Britannia
Thrones of Britannia is a standalone entry focused on a specific historical moment: the Viking invasions and the formation of medieval Britain. Rather than global conquest, the game emphasizes regional politics, loyalty, and survival.
Total War Saga: Thrones of Britannia
Release Date: May 03, 2018
Genres: Real Time Strategy (RTS), Strategy, Turn-based strategy (TBS)
New mechanics tailored to the setting, such as refined recruitment and political systems, create a more intimate but highly immersive experience. Its attention to historical detail makes it especially appealing to history enthusiasts.
Best for: focused historical settings and narrative-driven campaigns
Empire: Total War
Empire: Total War takes players into the 18th century, covering the Age of Enlightenment, colonial expansion, and global conflict. The game introduced fully realized naval battles and a campaign map that spans multiple continents.
Empire: Total War
Release Date: March 03, 2009
Genres: Real Time Strategy (RTS), Strategy, Turn-based strategy (TBS)
Trade routes, diplomacy, technological advancement, and gunpowder warfare play central roles, forcing players to think beyond brute force. Strategic depth is expanded through global economics and long-term planning, where superior numbers don’t always guarantee victory.
Best for: naval combat, global empires, and strategic depth
Final Thoughts
The Total War franchise offers an unmatched variety of strategic experiences, ranging from ancient Rome and medieval Europe to feudal Japan and high fantasy worlds. Each title brings its own mechanics, pacing, and atmosphere, while preserving the core identity that has