Total War: Rule Britannia, literally.

[NeuPolska]

Empire as a concept interested me quite a bit. But Britain doesn’t really go after India and every one of my campaigns turns into a long, drawn out war with the Maratha Confederacy that just completely ruins the whole campaign for me. The AI being shit at fighting battles doesn’t help, either.

[The first Galactic Republic]

Empire as a concept interested me quite a bit. But Britain doesn’t really go after India and every one of my campaigns turns into a long, drawn out war with the Maratha Confederacy that just completely ruins the whole campaign for me. The AI being shit at fighting battles doesn’t help, either.

I actually had to download a mod to keep the orange horde from gobbling up half the world. They’re too aggressive, the AI doesn’t seem to mind their expansion, and they have bottomless amounts of money. The Marathas have it way too easy.

Any other factions anyone believes to be poorly balanced? I remember Egypt would always dominate in Rome I, and Milan was pretty bad in Medieval II.

[NeuPolska]

There’s Napoleon’s Russia with the unicorn artillery, if you ever come across it in multiplayer.

[The Huskar Social Union]

Empire as a concept interested me quite a bit. But Britain doesn’t really go after India and every one of my campaigns turns into a long, drawn out war with the Maratha Confederacy that just completely ruins the whole campaign for me. The AI being shit at fighting battles doesn’t help, either.

I actually had to download a mod to keep the orange horde from gobbling up half the world. They’re too aggressive, the AI doesn’t seem to mind their expansion, and they have bottomless amounts of money. The Marathas have it way too easy.

Any other factions anyone believes to be poorly balanced? I remember Egypt would always dominate in Rome I, and Milan was pretty bad in Medieval II.

Milan were a bunch of dick heads, they would always betray me in the campaign and would attack me every opportunity.

Fuckers got me excommunicated once for defending myself against them as the HRE, ended up sacking Rome after that.

[Zanera]

Empire as a concept interested me quite a bit. But Britain doesn’t really go after India and every one of my campaigns turns into a long, drawn out war with the Maratha Confederacy that just completely ruins the whole campaign for me. The AI being shit at fighting battles doesn’t help, either.

I actually had to download a mod to keep the orange horde from gobbling up half the world. They’re too aggressive, the AI doesn’t seem to mind their expansion, and they have bottomless amounts of money. The Marathas have it way too easy.

Any other factions anyone believes to be poorly balanced? I remember Egypt would always dominate in Rome I, and Milan was pretty bad in Medieval II.

Found myself ready to invade Persia after I conquered India, and in a Dutch campaign the Marathans were starting to eat away at the Balkans by the end of the campaign.

[The first Galactic Republic]

I actually had to download a mod to keep the orange horde from gobbling up half the world. They’re too aggressive, the AI doesn’t seem to mind their expansion, and they have bottomless amounts of money. The Marathas have it way too easy.

Any other factions anyone believes to be poorly balanced? I remember Egypt would always dominate in Rome I, and Milan was pretty bad in Medieval II.

Found myself ready to invade Persia after I conquered India, and in a Dutch campaign the Marathans were starting to eat away at the Balkans by the end of the campaign.

Once I was Spain. After carefully and narrowly fending off an early game British offensive, the Marathas sailed over and seized two of my Caribbean islands.

Much historical accuracy. Such diplomacy.

[NeuPolska]

Empire required a lot more diplomacy, tactics, and historical goal-making than CA was prepared to actually develop, I think. If the general gameplay and graphics (and even tactics tbh) of Napoleon were used in Empire and diplomacy was actually complex enough to reflect the realities of the 18th century, with administrative mismanagement being more prevelant, then Empire would have been a glorious game.

[Zanera]

Found myself ready to invade Persia after I conquered India, and in a Dutch campaign the Marathans were starting to eat away at the Balkans by the end of the campaign.

Once I was Spain. After carefully and narrowly fending off an early game British offensive, the Marathas sailed over and seized two of my Caribbean islands.

Much historical accuracy. Such diplomacy.

I think I either gave the Marathas some Caribbean islands, or they took them...either way, Maratha needs nerf.

[The first Galactic Republic]

Empire required a lot more diplomacy, tactics, and historical goal-making than CA was prepared to actually develop, I think. If the general gameplay and graphics (and even tactics tbh) of Napoleon were used in Empire and diplomacy was actually complex enough to reflect the realities of the 18th century, with administrative mismanagement being more prevelant, then Empire would have been a glorious game.

And I think it could have been balanced better. Empire is probably my favorite Total War conceptually. It just falls short of greatness, though I still like it a lot.

The AI needs some modifications. The Marathas need to be less aggressive and the Mughals need to be more developed. The Europeans should also be more willing to expand in the Americas and India.

Some more playable factions would’ve been cool. I feel like the Mughals, Portuguese, Danish, and maybe even Persians were meant to be playable early in development. They’re a lot more developed than other minor factions, so it’d be cool to have them as playable. Also why is Switzerland just a blank wild space?

Some factions need to be more aggressive. Spain, Austria, and Russia frequently just sit around and do nothing. Minor factions should also be more willing to build up.

Though this would be very different from standard Total War mechanics, I think it’d be cool to be able to colonize wild space. Kind of like how Africa can be developed in Victoria II, you should be able to expand into the Americas more. It’d also be cool to do this with the trade theatres. Maybe have it so that controlling a trade theatre long enough allows you to develop a region there. This period of colonization should allow us to actually colonize.

I may be in the minority here, but I think it’d be cool if the Pope was like he was in Medieval II. He’d be less powerful in this time period, but there should still be some kind of mechanic for that.

Republics need more work. Some factions have no reason to go Republic since they lose their best units. Republics should at least come with special units.

Monarchies also need more work. Marriage alliances from Medieval II should come back, and wars of succession should be more likely. Monarchs also shouldn’t live so damn long, and it should be possible to assassinate them. You should also be able to actually see your royal family tree.

I wish the game would keep better records. For example, it’d be cool if there was a list of all the generals that have ever served in your empire and their accomplishments.

Some factions need some more love. Spain, Sweden, Poland, and Austria in particular are really generic.

The American campaign is really boring.

Why do trade goods have to be able to reach your capital before they can exist in your economy?

I guess a lot of these suggestions come across as minor nitpicks, but I really do think the game falls just short of greatness.

As previously mentioned, it could also really do with some of Napoleon’s gameplay mechanics.

[The Two Jerseys]

Found myself ready to invade Persia after I conquered India, and in a Dutch campaign the Marathans were starting to eat away at the Balkans by the end of the campaign.

Once I was Spain. After carefully and narrowly fending off an early game British offensive, the Marathas sailed over and seized two of my Caribbean islands.

Much historical accuracy. Such diplomacy.

Yet when you actually play as the Marathas, the Mughals anally rape your navy like you're their prison bitch unless you literally build a full stack of brigs & schooners and go at them in a fleet action...

[The first Galactic Republic]

Once I was Spain. After carefully and narrowly fending off an early game British offensive, the Marathas sailed over and seized two of my Caribbean islands.

Much historical accuracy. Such diplomacy.

Yet when you actually play as the Marathas, the Mughals anally rape your navy like you're their prison bitch unless you literally build a full stack of brigs & schooners and go at them in a fleet action...

I just got done conquering India at the start of a Maratha campaign. Though the Mughal Navy did blockade my ports and cut my trade income in half, I was able to conquer all of their land territories by 1712. No need to fear a navy if you can destroy the country supporting it.

[Mike the Progressive]

Empire was by far the best one. Play multiple continents, major powers during the time of revolution, enlightenment and global conflict and trade. Napoleon was a let down, primarily because it was a scaled down version of Empire with some coolish features you wish Empire had.

As for the latest (and *ahem* greatest), I can't say. I never played Warhammer or Three Kingdoms. Rome 2 lost the initial appeal Rome had (adding levels upon levels of unnecessary complexity), and Shogun 2, while visually stunning, was meh.

All in all, I will always love Empire. Capturing my enemy's homelands, razing that land (via deconstruction), and making all villages universities to cause them to be in a perpetual state of social discontent/revolution, effectively castrating their ability to project power abroad as all their efforts are used to maintain control at home (btw, I shit you not if you want to let nations exist, but kind of make it where they don't bother you, this is the strategy. Eg France/Spain, deconstruct all divinity schools, whore houses, factories and make them universities; take their ports turn them into fisheries- they'll continue to suffer revolution after revolution as the clamour to reform is so ridiculously high that they'll be unable to do shit besides trade with you).

But anyway Empire is where it's at.

[Mike the Progressive]

Empire required a lot more diplomacy, tactics, and historical goal-making than CA was prepared to actually develop, I think. If the general gameplay and graphics (and even tactics tbh) of Napoleon were used in Empire and diplomacy was actually complex enough to reflect the realities of the 18th century, with administrative mismanagement being more prevelant, then Empire would have been a glorious game.

And I think it could have been balanced better. Empire is probably my favorite Total War conceptually. It just falls short of greatness, though I still like it a lot.

The AI needs some modifications. The Marathas need to be less aggressive and the Mughals need to be more developed. The Europeans should also be more willing to expand in the Americas and India.

Some more playable factions would’ve been cool. I feel like the Mughals, Portuguese, Danish, and maybe even Persians were meant to be playable early in development. They’re a lot more developed than other minor factions, so it’d be cool to have them as playable. Also why is Switzerland just a blank wild space?

Some factions need to be more aggressive. Spain, Austria, and Russia frequently just sit around and do nothing. Minor factions should also be more willing to build up.

Though this would be very different from standard Total War mechanics, I think it’d be cool to be able to colonize wild space. Kind of like how Africa can be developed in Victoria II, you should be able to expand into the Americas more. It’d also be cool to do this with the trade theatres. Maybe have it so that controlling a trade theatre long enough allows you to develop a region there. This period of colonization should allow us to actually colonize.

I may be in the minority here, but I think it’d be cool if the Pope was like he was in Medieval II. He’d be less powerful in this time period, but there should still be some kind of mechanic for that.

Republics need more work. Some factions have no reason to go Republic since they lose their best units. Republics should at least come with special units.

Monarchies also need more work. Marriage alliances from Medieval II should come back, and wars of succession should be more likely. Monarchs also shouldn’t live so damn long, and it should be possible to assassinate them. You should also be able to actually see your royal family tree.

I wish the game would keep better records. For example, it’d be cool if there was a list of all the generals that have ever served in your empire and their accomplishments.

Some factions need some more love. Spain, Sweden, Poland, and Austria in particular are really generic.

The American campaign is really boring.

Why do trade goods have to be able to reach your capital before they can exist in your economy?

I guess a lot of these suggestions come across as minor nitpicks, but I really do think the game falls just short of greatness.

As previously mentioned, it could also really do with some of Napoleon’s gameplay mechanics.

Exactly. I wish America was playable tbh. That is one thing I really hated about it. But levels of aggression by country, you can actually increase if you prime them with high amounts of trade. For example when I play GB, I'm able to manipulate Russia into expanding by trading heavily with them and cancelling trade agreements with the Swedish, Polish and Ottomans. I do really agree with you on the Mughals though. They're grossly inept but I like how aggressive the Marthas are. If you're not careful they're expanding into Northern Africa/Europe theater before you know it.

[Mike the Progressive]

I am a tad excited about Three Kingdoms though. I do wish they'd make a Victorian Era one, where it's the Great Game with all the world powers circa 1850/60s- 1910/20s. How amazing would that be?

[The Huskar Social Union]

I am a tad excited about Three Kingdoms though. I do wish they'd make a Victorian Era one, where it's the Great Game with all the world powers circa 1850/60s- 1910/20s. How amazing would that be?

I would recreate rorkes drift from Zulu almost immediately.

[The first Galactic Republic]

Fall of the Samurai proved that a Total War game could work with technology from that era, and it also proved that CA could have factions of varying different tech levels and still make it work. I’ve been wanting a global Victorian Total War ever since. They’ve got to work on the diplomacy first though.

[The Huskar Social Union]

Fall of the Samurai proved that a Total War game could work with technology from that era, and it also proved that CA could have factions of varying different tech levels and still make it work. I’ve been wanting a global Victorian Total War ever since. They’ve got to work on the diplomacy first though.

Fall of the Samurai was soo good, might go back and play it at some point, dont think i ever completely finished a campaign in it.

[Mike the Progressive]

I am a tad excited about Three Kingdoms though. I do wish they'd make a Victorian Era one, where it's the Great Game with all the world powers circa 1850/60s- 1910/20s. How amazing would that be?

I would recreate rorkes drift from Zulu almost immediately.

Right? Though chances are if you auto it, your army will get destroyed.
And if you don't auto it, chances are your army will get destroyed.

[The first Galactic Republic]

Freaking Carlos II in Empire. Historically he died the year the game starts, but in Empire he tends to be immortal and is a terrible leader. He also has kids when he was impotent in real life, which prevents the War of Spanish Succession from happening.

[NeuPolska]

Freaking Carlos II in Empire. Historically he died the year the game starts, but in Empire he tends to be immortal and is a terrible leader. He also has kids when he was impotent in real life, which prevents the War of Spanish Succession from happening.

That always pissed me off, I always just forced the nobility to revolt in the first couple turns as Spain to simulate that, and it gives you a huge diplomacy bonus with all absolute monarchies so that helps early game (kinda).

[The Two Jerseys]

Yet when you actually play as the Marathas, the Mughals anally rape your navy like you're their prison bitch unless you literally build a full stack of brigs & schooners and go at them in a fleet action...

I just got done conquering India at the start of a Maratha campaign. Though the Mughal Navy did blockade my ports and cut my trade income in half, I was able to conquer all of their land territories by 1712. No need to fear a navy if you can destroy the country supporting it.

Fucking Mughal blockade was bleeding my treasury dry, so I signed a peace treaty with them.

Then they stupidly sat on their ass and did nothing while I built up four full stacks and launched a multi-pronged invasion of their territory...

[The first Galactic Republic]

Wars of succession weren’t handled very well in Empire anyways. If it did happen, it usually just meant you were at war with one more country that was usually so far away it couldn’t do anything to you.

They could also get pretty ridiculous. One time as Spain I had Poland declare war on me because my leader died. Really? Poland is going to claim my throne? In another game I had the Netherlands as a Republic declare war on me when my leader died as Austria. Why would a Republic care about the throne of a monarchy? Is the President going to be the King of Austria? Would they have it so that each President was also the President of Austria? None of this makes any sense.

[Mike the Progressive]

Wars of succession weren’t handled very well in Empire anyways. If it did happen, it usually just meant you were at war with one more country that was usually so far away it couldn’t do anything to you.

They could also get pretty ridiculous. One time as Spain I had Poland declare war on me because my leader died. Really? Poland is going to claim my throne? In another game I had the Netherlands as a Republic declare war on me when my leader died as Austria. Why would a Republic care about the throne of a monarchy? Is the President going to be the King of Austria? Would they have it so that each President was also the President of Austria? None of this makes any sense.

The Dutch Republic actually did go to war over the succession and as always the fear wasn't who was king or wasn't but the consolidation of power under one sovereign. In this case Philip was suppose to renounce his title in France to become King of Spain, ignored this and that's what triggered the war. Fear of Spain and France with one sovereign. The Dutch already distrustful of the Spanish and their influence in the region, did not want France directly under the same sovereign, so it perfectly makes sense.

But I don't know. I always felt bad for Charles. Clearly a product on inbreeding.

[The first Galactic Republic]

Wars of succession weren’t handled very well in Empire anyways. If it did happen, it usually just meant you were at war with one more country that was usually so far away it couldn’t do anything to you.

They could also get pretty ridiculous. One time as Spain I had Poland declare war on me because my leader died. Really? Poland is going to claim my throne? In another game I had the Netherlands as a Republic declare war on me when my leader died as Austria. Why would a Republic care about the throne of a monarchy? Is the President going to be the King of Austria? Would they have it so that each President was also the President of Austria? None of this makes any sense.

The Dutch Republic actually did go to war over the succession and as always the fear wasn't who was king or wasn't but the consolidation of power under one sovereign. In this case Philip was suppose to renounce his title in France to become King of Spain, ignored this and that's what triggered the war. Fear of Spain and France with one sovereign. The Dutch already distrustful of the Spanish and their influence in the region, did not want France directly under the same sovereign, so it perfectly makes sense.

But I don't know. I always felt bad for Charles. Clearly a product on inbreeding.

Maybe that was CA’s inspiration. It still gets weird though. Someone on the forums once claimed that the United States went to war with them when their Swedish leader died.

[The Two Jerseys]

Wars of succession weren’t handled very well in Empire anyways. If it did happen, it usually just meant you were at war with one more country that was usually so far away it couldn’t do anything to you.

They could also get pretty ridiculous. One time as Spain I had Poland declare war on me because my leader died. Really? Poland is going to claim my throne?

Then the Winged Hussars arrived!

In another game I had the Netherlands as a Republic declare war on me when my leader died as Austria. Why would a Republic care about the throne of a monarchy? Is the President going to be the King of Austria? Would they have it so that each President was also the President of Austria? None of this makes any sense.

I guess it's all about spreading de vrijheid...