Anyone playing this at present? It has had a reputation for being quite a 'buggy' game, and many people just can't get it to work, but I seem to have been lucky. Am amazed by the graphics. Couple of screen grabs from a bash between the British and Spanish below. Website: Empire: Total War | The all new Total War game released in March 2009
Is it easy to control Paul?? Have played Shogun and Rome Total Wars and liked both but it seems that there are a lot more troops to control in this one? Is there a naval part to it too?
Yes, it isn't too different to RTW in terms of battles; but the whole management system is very different and takes some getting used to. The naval battles are quite something. Will post a couple of screen shots after I fight the next one.
Yes, you also really need a 512kb graphics card, ideally Nvidia or ATI. Coulpe of more images. Defending the trenches from the French (you have the ability to dig in during defensive battles!) Pounding the French with field artillery.
I was watching lots of videos of the game on You Tube last night after Paul was telling me about it elsewhere. YouTube - empire total war
Will you stop it!! I looked at a PC with 2 GB RAM when we bought this one but I thought, 'Oh I won't need that.'
You could always upgrade the RAM, Owen. What graphics card does it have? And what power processor? Was going to post one of the naval battles tomorrow... but won't if it will upset you.
My beast of a laptop can handle this, a bit cash strapped at the moment but it is definetly on my buy list along with Wheelman, Company of Heroes: Tales of Valor, etc.
I tweaked up the graphics settings today; looks even better. These screen shots don't do it justice, but hopefully are of interest? (sorry, Owen...) Defending the breach at a fort in India: Under attack by elephants:
It looks awesome. Paul, could you briefly explain how combat happens / is controled in those TW games? Do you set the field tactics and then it's played out or are you actually controlling those men in the images?
In the battle phase, which these are taken from, you control all the units. You give them orders, select fire at will or not, move them around, etc. If you sit there and do nothing you will generally get wasted. You also need to employ the correct tactics- face an army of cavalry and put all your units in line, rather than square, then you will lose. It really is pretty good. You can get Rome Total War and Medieval Total War II pretty cheaply (seen both in my local Morrisons for under £5) if you want to see what it is all about.
Was going to post one of the naval battles tomorrow... but won't if it will upset you. Go on Paul!! you know you want to!!! Lets have a goo at the naval scenes.