I don't review many games because, while I do "experiment" in genres, I tend to migrate back to RTS/BTS strategy games. The Total War series has always been unique in blending the two, and doing so with incredible production values. If you ever wanted any kind of hint of what is involved in sieging a castle or in fielding varied troops across a huge battlefield, no game does it better than M2:TW. This X-pack offers some real focus via set conflicts that you can play from multiple perspectives. In doing so, it's a bit like fast-forwarding an epic campaign to some of its most interesting moments. Throw in some historical triggers (like Edward returning to England from the Crusades), and there is that added bit of spice and strategic tension. I, for one, had no problem with a fresh install. Yes, it took forever...but so what? Download the updates while you walk the dog or play another game. Complaining about the length of time it takes to install all this great content is like complaining your apartment is too small after you've stuffed it with purchases from a shopping spree. What these complaints really come down to (not discounting those who literally can't get the game to install, which is odd but surely rare), is players don't want to wait to jump in and play! With that, I certainly agree. At least you have the option of installing the new content in modular fashion, if you like.
How about the gameplay itself? Well, it's vintage Total War with a bit more focus and scripting. Actually, it's that and a ton more content in the form of new units and other media, like music, etc. Does it reinvent the series? No. But does it capitalize on a wish list that is by now several years and several hundred pages long? Pretty much. In the end, that's what you are paying for with this expansion: the culmination of massive amounts of player feedback and developer upgrades. Is the game perfect? No game is. There are still some annoying flaws in the AI, like letting units sit idle while in the line of missile attack. The AI also sorely lacks the ability to coordinate its unit types effectively. Thus, I set the difficulty to Very Hard to make up for some of that, and it surely is a bit disappointing that added AI bonuses are needed to make up for clear AI flaws. But here's my closing comment: the game is just plain fun. If nothing else, you owe it to yourself to see this Magnum Opus in action.
Other Helpful Reviews for Medieval II: Total War Kingdoms
The Total War fan community, of which I have been an avid member now for years, was a little nervous about the release of the Kingdoms Expansion pack so soon after the release of the original Medieval II Total War (M2TW)... Read Full Review
Now before I go any further, I have a passionate love for the Crusades, so there might be some historical bias for this. As you can expect from the Medieval II engine, the game looks and sounds wonderful, so I won't e... Read Full Review
