The Total War series has been a long-standing franchise in the strategy gaming world, with new titles still being released more than 2 decades after the first game launched. With each new game, the series implemented new mechanics and settings, keeping it fresh and relevant amidst the overwhelming number of strategy games. Whether you’re a long-time fan or simply wish to give Total War a try, continue reading to discover the best Total War games you should play in 2025.
The combination of real-time strategy and grand strategy mechanics has allowed the Total War franchise a hefty dose of recognition in the gaming industry. Thanks to its unique approach, fans of multiple strategy sub-genres can enjoy these games to their fullest potential. And out of them all, these 7 are the best Total War games ever.
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Although Total War: Pharaoh originally launched with mixed reviews in 2023, the 2024 Dynasties update introduced a huge amount of new content that significantly upgraded and expanded upon the foundation Pharaoh had laid. Dynasties included over 80 GB of content, which helped transform this title into one of the best Total War games of modern times.
The game is visually stunning, depicting Ancient Egypt with incredible detail. Battles are gory and exciting, and the pretty visuals help them feel truly immersive and alive. Beyond the strategic element, managing your resources, diplomatic ties, and trade routes is essential to ensure your dynasty’s survival, and the addition of religion mechanics adds another layer to an already strategically deep game. Modding potential is huge, as evident by the many already released mods. We’re excited to see what the community will come up with in the upcoming months.
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We had a tough time deciding which of the two Rome games deserved a spot on the list, but we ultimately went with Total War: Rome 2 for the game’s significant improvements over many aspects of its iconic predecessor. Total War: Rome 2 offers a more detailed and historically accurate portrayal of the Roman era, featuring a larger map, a wider range of playable factions, and numerous DLC campaigns to play through, alongside many other enhancements.
The modding community has published countless mods that help keep the game fresh. The various mods refine gameplay, enhance visuals, improve game mechanics, and expand unit rosters. On top of that, Total War: Rome 2 is fairly easy to learn and master compared to some other entries in the series, making it an excellent starting point for Total War newcomers.
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Total War: Warhammer 3 is the final game in the Warhammer trilogy, completing the already acclaimed series with style. The game excels in all fields, from strategy and management to the storyline and graphics, polishing and concluding the Warhammer Total War arc while staying true to the original lore. The main campaign takes place on a huge map spanning from the Lands of the East to the daemon-infested Realms of Chaos.
Warhammer 3 introduced several new battle types, diplomatic options, and upgraded mechanics that expand on the classic Total War formula – a refreshing step forward that adds tactical depth and variety to the series. Each campaign faction offers unique advantages and events, encouraging experimentation with different play styles and delivering endless replayability. Although this game marks the final chapter in the Warhammer series, we expect to see more fantasy themes explored in future Total War titles.
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The newer Total War titles never fail to impress with the visuals, and Three Kingdoms is no exception – this game looks absolutely stunning. Arguably, no other strategy game has depicted the warring Ancient China better than this one, with battles and landscapes looking gorgeous. Apart from the graphics, Three Kingdoms introduces diplomatic and military challenges relatively early in the campaign, which puts more pressure on the player to have a healthy long-term strategy and adds a new, fun aspect to the early game.
Managing your commanders and organising your army is a big part of strategising in Three Kingdoms, as the game can be challenging even on the default difficulty. Fortunately, this Total War entry is surprisingly well optimised compared to previous titles, offering smooth performance even during large-scale battles. Overall, Three Kingdoms is among the most well-rounded entries in the franchise, standing out as one of the best Total War games to date.
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Many hardcore Total War fans agree that Empire deserves a remaster, but even without it, it’s still considered one of the best. Empire: Total War is set in the 18th-century gunpowder era – a fresh take on the franchise, which had previously focused on ancient settings. The introduction of musket combat was a bold move by the developers, as the series had long been rooted in traditional melee-focused warfare.
While Empire was critically acclaimed at launch, its AI was occasionally clunky – a minor setback considering the overall quality of the game. Luckily, the community released DarthMod not long after: a huge mod that significantly improved the AI, among other things.
A tip for new players: learn the economic system as soon as possible. It may seem challenging at first, but once you get the hang of it, it takes managing and commanding your empire to a whole new level.
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Although Medieval 2 was released way back in 2006, the mechanical depth and overall gameplay experience have helped it maintain a steady player base even today. For those who used to play it back in the day, the aesthetics and soundtrack can still evoke that nostalgic thrill of medieval battlefields. Over the years, the community has released an incredible number of overhaul mods, many of which can upgrade your gameplay experience even further.
Medieval 2 features a natural progression system that, through unit and tech upgrades, character traits, and the dynamic promotion of captains to generals, makes the game feel engaging and alive. The graphics may be a bit dated, but if you’re looking to experience the classic Total War, don’t let it stop you from giving Medieval 2 a try.
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Total War: Shogun 2 is a sequel to the game that started the franchise, set in 16th-century Japan. Thrilling tactical fights and massive online battles are the peak of Shogun 2! And while the path to becoming a Shogun requires patience, it’s achievable through careful diplomacy and intelligent tactical battling.
The campaign takes place during the classic Sengoku era of Japan, letting you choose one of the dozen factions, each offering unique traits that impact the difficulty of the early-mid game. The polished interface makes learning the basics relatively easy, but the sheer amount of content this game has to offer can still feel overwhelming at times. This is by no means a drawback, as once you grasp the deep mechanics, it becomes incredibly rewarding and opens up countless strategic possibilities.
Total War: Shogun 2 earns the top spot on our list as it’s arguably the most outstanding and complete Total War game. It is a fan favourite for a reason, and thanks to its modern systems, polished mechanics, and timeless art style, amidst the best Total War games, Shogun 2 claims the first place.
| Game | Rating | Release Date | Total # of Factions | # of Playable Factions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total War: Pharaoh Dynasties | 7.8/10 | October 11th, 2023 | 162 | 39 |
| Total War: Rome 2 | 8.2/10 | September 3rd, 2013 | 117 | 32 |
| Total War: Warhammer 3 | 8.5/10 | February 17th, 2022 | 99 | 99 |
| Total War: Three Kingdoms | 8.7/10 | May 23rd, 2019 | 36 | 24 |
| Empire: Total War | 9.0/10 | March 3rd, 2009 | 62 | 12 |
| Medieval 2: Total War | 9.2/10 | November 10th, 2006 | 22 | 17 |
| Total War: Shogun 2 | 9.6/10 | March 15th, 2011 | 12 | 12 |
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