With a legacy stretching back over two decades, Total War has earned its place at the very peak of the strategy genre. With past games taking place in Feudal Japan, Ancient Rome, and Medieval Europe, the Total War series has allowed players to build their own empires and experience commanding some of the greatest armies in history.
Total War: PHARAOH takes the legendary grand strategy series to a new setting – the golden sands, shimmering rivers, and majestic cities of Ancient Egypt. On a vast campaign map that stretches along the Nile and far beyond, players will manage their empire in matters of diplomacy, economy, and military strength.
Returning to the series’ historical roots, Total War: PHARAOH is not only a significant evolution of the series but also an excellent entry point to the franchise. In its expansive campaign, you’ll fight in large-scale real-time battles and build your empire in turn-based management sections to become the one-and-only Pharaoh.
Locations and cultures
There are three playable areas to explore – Egypt in the south, Canaan in the mid-east, and Anatolla in the north. These three areas are home to three distinct cultures – Egyptians, Canaanites, and Hittites. With eight playable factions across the three cultures, many different playstyles are possible, from peaceful diplomat to tyrannical warlord.
Whether you wish to play as a peaceful diplomat, unwavering commander, or maniacal dictator, there are plenty of options to explore to fit your playstyle. Playing as different leaders will yield different options. There are several famous faces to pick from: in Egypt, you’ll be able to play as Ramesses, Seti, Amenmesse, or Tausret; in Hatti, there’s Suppiluliuma, Kurunta; and finally, Canaan players can choose from Bay or Irsu.
For new players, Creative Assembly recommends first playing as the warrior Pharaoh himself: “Play as Ramesses for your first campaign. His abilities and difficulty level will help new players. Tweak the campaign options if you wish – make the battles less difficult, give yourself more starting resources and this may help you spend more time understanding the mechanics.”
Getting started
The campaign boasts numerous options to tailor your experience, including a detailed tutorial for new players. Rather than being a simple stage or battle to get you started, Total War: PHARAOH offers an entire tutorial campaign, where new players will be introduced to the nuances of building an empire, step-by-step.
“These options range from random starting positions for all factions to detailed settings regarding resources, deities, trading, and more,” said developers at Creative Assembly. “You can determine the type of natural disasters that your people will be subjected to and how quickly they’ll become upset at your rule.”
There are numerous options to customize your campaign from the outset, from stacking the odds against you, to starting out with overwhelming power. If you’re a newbie, or haven’t played the series for a while, you may want to give yourself a headstart with increased resources, influence, and military might.
“Players will find five replayable battle tutorials that detail the Total War combat experience,” explained a member of Creative Assembly. “This system allows them to skip what they already know and focus on features they may not be so familiar with. We’re introducing a separate tutorial campaign, where players get to play with Ramesses and enjoy a story-driven journey. It will acquaint players with the various mechanics in the game through unique voice lines, interactions, and specific events that players will need to complete before proceeding.”
Building an empire
Starting out in a land of prosperity, you’ll have to use all your resources to fend off the collapse of civilization as the tragic end of the Bronze Age approaches. Rise through the ranks and become a Great King or Pharaoh alongside these legendary figures – but beware of pretenders who will attempt to take your crown by force.
In order to maintain the stability of your civilization, you’ll have to pay close attention to the Pillars of Civilization. Mirroring the historical collapse of the Bronze Age, you’ll need to contend with natural disasters, enemy invasions, and other challenges as the era falls into darkness. Try to stem the tide of disruption and build a civilization that can survive the mounting unpredictability.
Cult Cities are the touchstone of civilization – vast cities dedicated to one of the great deities of the era. Players can build favor with the gods by building shrines and temples in their honor, advancing through tiers of worship which will grant various benefits. Ascend in favor of a deity and your generals can gain powerful Army Effects. Lose their favor and you’ll be punished with negative effects.
Prepare for battle
When it comes to battles, be ready for epic clashes with more advanced AI and systems at play than any historical Total War to date.
You’ll also need to consider the elements with dynamic weather and terrain systems that can turn the tides of battle in an instant. Storms and sandstorms are more than stunning visual effects, affecting how an entire battle can play out.
There are countless tactical factors that you’ll learn to consider, including dynamic terrain, armor degradation, and unit stances. New unit stances allow the player to adapt to terrain changes and opponent maneuvers. The Advance stance can apply pressure to an opposing force, while the Give Ground stance can be used to tactically retreat while still facing the enemy to minimize losses.
Total War: PHARAOH also introduces dynamic fire, which can spread from grass to forests to buildings, wreaking havoc on your troops. Watch out for enemies wielding fire arrows and torches, as fire is an enormously destructive power in the sweltering heat of the desert.
And all of this compelling gameplay is rendered with breathtaking clarity thanks to vibrant, stunning graphics. Combat animations have been significantly improved in comparison to previous titles, allowing for unparalleled immersion in the grand strategy genre.
Buy Total War: PHARAOH now on Steam.
Source: Wargamer
