In the grim darkness of the Old World, there is only Total War! Creative Assembly transformed one of the most expensive nerd hobbies out there into a toys-to-life adaptation that could’ve been what Blizzard cooked if Gamesworkshop hadn’t been so stingy with IP. But this ain’t your granddad’s Warcraft. Warhammer II boasts more than 60 playable factions with meaningful gameplay distinctions, endless battles, 2 campaign modes, multiplayer, 100s of different units, and expanded content if you’ve purchased the 1st game. As a turn-based strategy / real-time tactics title with a little bit of RPG mechanics sprinkled in, it can be difficult to get the hang of its diplomacy, micro-management, and economic systems. Fans of the tropey, definitely-not-Tolkien-or-D&D lore will find a playground of fanservice here. Still, it’s hard to recommend to players not willing to invest the time or patience but it’s just like learning to paint Warhammer models: you start an amateur but with practice, you’ll feel like Rembrandt. 550 hours in and I still want more war.
Our original critique appeared here.
Red formerly ran The Well-Red Mage and now serves The Pixels as founder, writer, editor, and podcaster. He has undertaken a seemingly endless crusade to talk about the games themselves amid a gaming culture that’d rather talk about anything but. Pick out his feathered cap @thewellredmage or @thewellredmage.bsky.social.
