Napoleon: Total War

NZGamer

The cannon may be the final argument of kings. But the Total War series is undoubtedly the king of the real time strategy genre - and Napoleon: Total War could very well be Creative Assembly’s crowning jewel.

Computer and Video Games

Visually stunning high-strategy from the masters of the genre.

Gamers.at

Napoleon: Total War doesn't redefine Total War but that was never its intention. The bottom line is that Napoleon: Total War is a must have for all who like those dashing battles of the 19th century.

Strategy Informer

Whether or not you can forgive CA for 'pulling a Valve' is up to you, but please don't blame the game itself - this is a worthwhile experience and well worth the money in reality, if not in principle.

Eurogamer Italy

Total War is a come back for the Total War series: after the uncertain step of Empire, we now are in front of a wonderful game, one with great gameplay. Walking in the shoes of Napoleon is a dream for every strategist and being able to do it in such a game is fantastic. Multiplayer is the icing on the cake.

Gameplanet

While the game retells the campaigns of its namesake in somewhat linear fashion, developers The Creative Assembly have retouched and introduced a number of new gameplay mechanics that create a much more intricate experience than any Total War game to date.

Cynamite

Napoleon: Total War doesn't topple Empire: TW, but the new setting sets you back in the Napoleon Wars. The game is really worth a look.

IGN

Napoleon is an enjoyable addition to the Total War franchise but it's not as a big a game changer as previous sequels. While Napoleon and his armies were probably every bit as terrifying as Mongols, Vikings or Barbarians, the scope of this sequel is a bit more limited.

GamesNation

SEGA made good use of the experience made with Empire to improve its RTS formula, resulting in a more effective gameplay. Although Napoleon: Total War has its shortcomings – even with the AI – it still manages to keep the player involved throughout, thanks to its thoroughness and rather accurate historical setting.

Game Informer

Napoleon: Total War may not rewrite history, but its subtle gameplay refinements, tactical variety, and new multiplayer campaign do more than enough to offset the litany of legacy issues hindering this otherwise impressive strategy game.

Cheat Code Central

With huge campaigns and multiple gameplay options, you won't be finished with Napoleon until the next Total War game is released.

GamingXP

Even when the graphics aren’t up to date anymore, Napoleon: Total War is a great add-on to one of the best strategy games ever. Especially the drop in battles is very exciting.

Multiplayer.it

Despite the lack of artificial intelligence and the more closed campaign structure, Napoleon: Total War has dozens of small and big new features, nice multiplayer options and a new approach to the series.

InsideGamer.nl

Napoleon: Total War is what Empire: Total War should have been. The bugs and freezes are gone, the loading times are strongly improved and the battles are very entertaining.

Play.tm

New features help give the game a little extra spice. I especially like being able to force other nations into becoming protectorate states and demand they fight in my wars with everyone else.

GameFocus

Napoleon: Total War is an RTS that sets itself apart from other games in the genre with a highly intelligent AI and a much greater focus on tactics and strategy.

IGN AU

Drop in multiplayer campaign battles add a human element to proceedings. However, the freeform campaign mode feels limited in only offering four nations to choose from.

Vandal Online

We can say Napoleon: Total War covers all the needs of strategy fans.

GameSpot

This Napoleonic strategy game isn't as revolutionary as its namesake, but it still improves upon previous Total War offerings.

SpazioGames

Napoleon: Total War it's really similar to its predecessor Empire, for better of for worse. Built on a much shorter temporal span, it changes the perspective on the management section of the game while many little improvements on almost every aspects make this the best chapter in the series but the lack of innovation inevitably lowers overall evaluation. Suggested to all strategy lovers unreservedly.

Everyeye.it

This new chapter in the total War saga brings a new level of historic detail to the RTS and turn based strategy games, polishing a lot of flaws of the recent Empire. Although the much more detailed and intriguing campaign and the new online campaign features do not suffice to not make it look like a huge update rather than a brand-new game. An awesome update, but we should expect something more from a full release of the franchise.

3DJuegos

If you are looking for improvement and advance in the Empire: Total War formula, Napoleon is not your game. But if you are looking for a great RTS gameplay and an amazing on-line experience –skirmishes- this is your game.

Meristation

Napoleon Total War is a great RTS game, an incredible homage to the real french emperor. With great gameplay, and several game modes for single player and multiplayer, it's a great addition to the series. But it relies heavily on the basics of Empire Total War, so it feels a bit held back due to the lack of real improvements.

GameStar

It’s the best game covering the Napoleonic Wars, but not necessarily the best game of the Total War series. But the multi-player mode finally makes an old dream come true. But it’s still a shame that Empire: Total War did not get any of the improvements.

PC Gamer UK

Not brave or bright enough to wow Total War veterans, but the battles and improved multiplayer save the day. [Mar 2010, p.80]

Eurogamer Portugal

The improvements implemented in Napoleon: Total War, both technically and in terms of gameplay, put the series once again in front of all competition.

GamerNode

The grand battles and deep strategy will keep fans busy for months and the multiplayer allows for intense combat though all of the game modes. A confusing interface and some occasional AI issues mar an otherwise enjoyable, tactical experience.

Teletext GameCentral

Being Boney represents a more linear, but more accessible, experience for would-be European dictators.

Eurogamer

Multiplayer mysteries aside, Napoleon represents a healthy step forward for the Total War series.

Gamereactor Sweden

Even though Napoleon lacks the feeling of freshness and contains pretty bad voice acting, it is still an impressive strategy game with fantastic gameplay and superb scale.

Eurogamer Spain

This is the least innovative entry on the franchise, but The Creative Assembly introduces enough new things to justify Napoleon as a new game and not a simple expansion.

RealGamer

Napoleon: Total War may have its flaws, but it offers the best of the strategy genre, giving you access to both turn based and real-time play that fit together seamlessly and will keep any armchair general firmly placed in the command seat.

ActionTrip

The linear nature of the main campaign and the occasionally confused AI, often ruined the experience for us.

9Lives

Napoleon: Total War adds a few important changes. The new reinforcement system and the multiplayer definitely add to the game. The lack of freedom and different factions may detract from the replayability though. You wouldn’t be making a wrong decision to buy this game, but it’s stagnation more than revival after Empire. The next game will have to prove if Total War can be brought back to (new) life.

1UP

Good enough. The stronger AI is nice, though the absence of overseas trade, national evolution, and the naval aspects are noticeable. Perhaps this is the streamlined game that Empire should have been, but 40 dollars and one year later, Napoleon should be more generous than it is. As it stands, the game is a decent addition to the series, but not essential.

GameShark

Napoleon: Total War is difficult to pin down. It asks me to overlook several significant problems that materially diminish the game, and I cannot recommend Napoleon without attaching a boatload of conditions and caveats.

PC PowerPlay

The missed potential of the Napoleon story and some dodgy AI make this one a fun, but not essential, Total War game. [Apr 2010, p.50]

LEVEL (Czech Republic)

Latest Total War is maybe the best way to recreate and enjoy the glorious moments of Napoleonic wars but the moments of surprise and astonishment are missing. [Feb 2010]

Boomtown

Napoleon: Total War shimmers with genius at times. The series is still the undisputed king of strategy games, but this latest expansion takes two steps forward and one step back. The numerous improvements are greatly welcomed, but the core element that is the AI still remains broken and until CA fix it the game remains a flawed diamond.

Gameplayer Sweden

Still as brilliant as usual for the series, and some new nice features, but somehow lacking a bit in feeling.

GameSpy

While the strategic level is an admirable attempt at something halfway between the elegance of Civilization and the historical specificity of Europa Universalis, it doesn't have the benefit of letting a human player take over. Here, once again, the game falls apart when it breaks out of the strict scripting of the story-based missions.