Napoleon Total War PC Games

I purchased this game upon initial release in early 2010 and have played it more than any other PC title in my collection! Continuing with and expanding upon the long running TOTAL WAR franchise, NAPOLEON also comes with a selection of special units of the Napoleonic Wars which are activated via code once the game has been installed onto STEAM. For new users to STEAM, an account is compulsory and needs to be created before installation can commence, but gives the advantage of greater customer support and further downloadable content. What of the game itself? Well, although installing is quite time consuming it is ultimately well worth the wait. There is simply so much to the game that many, many hours of play is guaranteed! As well as three large campaigns taking command of Napoleons forces in Italy, Egypt and Europe, there is also the option of playing any of the main coalition forces (Great Britain, Austria, Prussia and Russia) against him. As with previous titles in the series, NAPOLEON is a game of two types. Strategic planning is turn based and carried out on a splendid 3D map and then, when either land or naval forces clash, we begin awesome looking real-time battles. Certainly at the start of each campaign most of the time will be spent poring over the map. Here we can recruit armies and generals, build roadways and numerous buildings (either military or civilian), review diplomatic options and generally run an entire Empire. While this may seem somewhat daunting at first, especially with so much to do, things soon become second nature. The interface is of help here as is it nicely laid out but there is the option of an advisor on hand to give hints if necessary. The 3D real-time battles are perhaps the best Napoleonic skirmishes ever to grace a computer system. There are several levels of zoom and while things occasionally slow slightly when many units are onscreen, this can be easily forgiven thanks to the fantastic eye for detail. Soldiers have different faces and skin complexions, while watching them reload and discharge their muskets, or an artillery crew prepare a cannon for firing, seems very realistic. The animation is very smooth and the sound is good, too. Men talk nervously before combat or raise a cheer while charging home, plus musket and cannon fire (complete with smoke) seems natural. There are numerous options for units to choose during combat. Troops can defend areas, conserve ammunition, skirmish and retreat from the field if the battle is going badly. Various formations are also possible, such as square when facing enemy cavalry or line to maximize firepower, while buildings may be captured and turned into fortresses. Ordering units is very simple, just a few mouse clicks and dragging the cursor, which is good as things soon become hectic and a fiddly control system would have been disastrous. Naval battles are a first for the series and once again, the attention to detail is magnificent. Fortunately the control system is similar to that of the land battles, but here vessels have a choice of shot types available allowing them to sink enemies, disable masts or kill crew. Boarding actions are also possible but somewhat risky, especially when outnumbered. Wind strength and direction must also be taken into account on the seas and can easily lead to the loss of an engagement if not used advantageously. Some units such as Generals, Spies and Gentlemen gain traits and improvements during the course of the game, while standard troops have benefits from experience the more battles they fight and survive. This enables smaller, well equipped armies to stand their ground against much larger, but less battle hardened, foes. Anybody wanting a fantastic strategy game in its own right, but especially one set during the turbulent Napoleonic Wars, cannot go wrong with NAPOLEON TOTAL WAR which, having played many titles of this genre over the years, is certainly one of the best on the market!

loving the game, able to play through the campaign that napoleon left and always try conquer the world as a faction that you can choose well worth the buy!