A great, addictive strategy game, with many aspects of diplomacy and war. Worth playing from every strategy fan player.
Medieval 2 belongs to TBS gaming category (Turn-Based Strategy). The difference between TBS and RTS (Real-Time Strategy) as Age of Empires is that the game offers more details, such as using diplomacy to resolve issues, and it's development is slower. The basic element of TBS are "series" (turns) that characterize the game. The turns are used as unit of time in the game. For example, a unit of archers may need 2 turns to produce a building may be needed 4 turns to build, and so on. When the player decides that he has nothing left to do in his current turn, he presses the "End Turn" and so the game goes in the next turn. In Medieval each turn corresponds to one year.
Game Modes:
The game offers several options in single player. You can play Quick Battle, a battle with a random army which you can not choose, you can play a battle with the army you choose or you can incarnate and control historical battles in the selection Historic Battle.In the end, the game offers the choice of Grand Campaign that I will explain below.
Grand Campaign:
In the Grand Campaign option, the game lets you choose between a six Factions, or "states", such as English, French, German and Spanish and can lead to the ultimate conquest of the known world. There are two ways to finish the game. One is the fast way, that is to conquer 15 regions and destroy two rival states, and the other is the normal way, ie the conquest of 45 regions. If you consider that the map consists of about 90 sites then you will understand that your work in general is quite difficult.
World Map:
The game begins at 1100 AD, when Europe is governed by different countries, each with its own aspirations for power and total control. In the map, you will spend more time playing, being the place that governs your empire. Through the map, you can produce new units, build new buildings, to begin diplomatic procedures in several states and many others. The initial units that you will produce will not the best but as you progress in the game you get access to more powerful and experienced soldiers who help you become the leader of an empire without borders. In addition, specific events that took place in the Middle Ages, as the discovery of gunpowder or the appearance of the "Black Death" in Europe, make their appearance and affect your game. The discovery of gunpowder, for example, allows you to build machines like cannons and bombards (another form of cannon) that make sieges easier.
Battles:
In the battle system, the turn does not change. The player can control up to 2000 soldiers at the same time and your screen can display up to 10000 people in total. You understand then that epic battles in Medieval 2 may well become frequent in later stages of the game. The soldiers are lined up in units, and you can control each unit individually, or to fit into groups.The units are infantry, cavalry, archers and battering rams. In addition, your General plays an important role as the leader of your units on the battlefield. His death can turn the flow of battle, since if they die then the morale of your units falls and increases the chance to shrink back and leave the general fight. Before every battle, he delivers an opening speech, which raises the morale of your soldiers on the battlefield.
Graphics and Sound:
In the audio party there is a very good job. If you have a remarkable sound system with subwoofer then the gaming experience is marvelous. Imagine that when the soldiers march and you hear the clatter of feel like you're next to them and walk with them. The graphical improvements from previous games in the series is clearly visible. You can see the reflections of the sun on the armor of your soldiers, and the detail of the landscapes will leave you ecstatic. Every soldier has a different face and shields decorated with different coats of arms. The graphics in the depiction of water and weather patterns are fantastic, while the special effects, like smoke from cannons, very detailed.
Epilogue:
Medieval 2 Total War is a game that will surely leave you with the best impression. Unfortunately, to enjoy the game in the best possible level of detail, a powerful processor is required as well as a graphics card. Medieval will get you hooked to your computer screen for several hours, and when you finish the campaign, you will want to test your strategic skills against those of your friends or players via the internet.