Get this game.
The campaigns included in this expansions are shorter than any of the other one so far--but surprisingly, it's packed with even more. These campaigns each feature four different events of the Medieval Time Period, and give each one it's own flavor and feel to it. Players of previous Total War campaigns will quickly fall in love with the diversity that each expansion game offers, while newcomers will get a taste of the evolution of what I hope is the Total War Series.
Medieval Total War 2 Kingdoms plays exactly like Medieval Total War 2, with the exception that this time, each campaign will feature less factions (about 5-10, the average being 7) and your campaign will have some story driven elements to it. For example, in the Teutonic Campaign, Denmark will not only have it's main mission of conquest, these will be a sidebar that will ask you to fulfill certain requirements in order to achieve higher power--without giving anything away. This extra story element really helps to drive Medieval Total War 2 in a direction I did not think they would take. Having played all of the Total War games, I can definently say this one is the best.
Medieval Total War 2's deep strategy hasn't changed at all--the battles on the tactical map as well as the battle map are still very challenging. I would say that this Total War game adds some difficulty, and does take a bit of getting used to for new comers. But thanks to Total War's difficulty setting, it can be placed on easy which totally resolves any issue with difficult, allowing the player to knock up the difficult when they feel they are ready.
Each faction in each campaign feels very different, which is welcomed change. I could easily say you will see the most diversity in factions in each of these campaigns. Even the Native American tribes all feel very distinct and have their own flavor. I must say, I was very impressed. Your strategy on the tactical map as well as the battle map varys heavily.
The game does see some improvements from the previous in my opinion, namely, the fact that the game has the story element. It really helps to push through the game and feels like you are achieving more than just domination of the landscape--I would hope to see this in future Total War games.
The musical score on this game is great as well. I must say that The Total War Group has outdone themselves yet again with their musical score. Each campaign had it's own music and own feel, and if I'm not mistaken, each FACTION even had it's own different music--that's something right there.
Graphically this game is superior. Each unit looks distinct as they did in Medieval Total war 2, and makes the game feel that much more real. The environment looks great, and differs heavily, from the frozen field of Norway to the lush palms of Florida, the game really feels like you are watching a real battle.
Even if the strategic maps aren't your things, Medieval Total War 2 Kindgoms can still be for you. With it's historical battles and it's ability to create custom matches, you can easily play all sorts of battle scenarios for hours. I love the tactical map, but I can easily find myself lost in custom play. It really is a gem.
If you have never played a Total War game, I would say that there is no better time to try it out. Medieval War 2 was based on one solid campaign, and if you didn't like it, that was it, but Medieval Total War 2 Kingdoms gives you four different campaigns, that each have it's own flavor, meaning, the game gives four chances to impress. For me, it impressed all four times and then some.
The price tag on this game is great value--period.
With all these excellent things, the only thing that stopped me short from giving it a 10 is the fact that the Total War series has yet to resolve it's issue with it's horendous naval battles. There is no battle map between naval encounters, and it seems each battle is random, or has the most ships. This can really hurt you, especially if you are transporting loads of men, and then you are hit with a naval ship and just happen to lose. Though this very unlikey (has happened to be once in a lot of hours of gameplay) it is still annoying. I know they are planning on fixing this in Conquest Total War, but the issue should have been
addressed somehow.
Another shortcoming is the fact that alliances that are established with AI seem more like extended ceasefires than anything. Allies can only be trusted so far, and more than likely there is no mutual benefit you can derive from establishing alliances. This has been a problem throughout the Total War Series, but as I look into the future I see this being enhanced.
The game is amazing. Even though Conquest Total War is right around the corner, this game is simply worth playing. It will provide hours and hours of fun and will definently give you all sorts of experiences--from the Spanish Conquestidor to the Scottish Highlander, this game is amazing. Don't skip out on this Total War gem--it's their best so far, and that says a lot when it comes to the high-enduring quality of all Total War games.