In February 2022, the real-time strategy game “Total War: Warhammer 3” was released on Steam. With a score of 86% on Metacritic, it is the highest-rated strategy game for PC that was newly released in 2022. In the 4 months since the release, it has only been reduced by a few percent on Steam for a short time. This will change with the Steam Summer Sale 2022, which starts this evening. A purchase at a good price might be worth it, believes MeinMMO author Schuhmann. In a few months, the game will become huge.
What kind of game is it? The “Total War” series has been recreating historical wars for 22 years and has established its own genre:
- On a map, you move your armies around, recruit troops, and expand settlements – just like in a classic turn-based strategy game
- In battle, however, you switch to real-time strategy and command your troops on the field, make tactical decisions, and actually fight the battles you’ve gotten yourself into
- Over the years, the RPG elements in the games have grown: Commanders and heroes of an army developed character traits, could be equipped and customized
Normally, the Total War games take place in warlike times of Earth: In the Middle Ages, ancient Rome, Japan, or during the Napoleonic Wars. However, the series branch Warhammer refers to a fantasy world that also inspired “World of Warcraft”: Here, humans suddenly fight against elves, orcs, goblins, or the rat-like Skaven.
The series has built an excellent reputation since the year 2000, but over the years it had grown stale: That changed in 2016 when developer Creative Assembly gave itself more freedom, broke out of the strict historical framework, and dared to venture into the realm of myths and fantasy with Total War: Warhammer and Total War: Three Kingdoms.
Total War: Warhammer 3 is the third game in this branch after Part 1 (2016) and Part 2 (2017, which was extended for a long time).
How good is Total War: Warhammer 3? The game has received excellent 86% ratings from testers on Metacritic . It ranks almost as well as Total Warhammer II from 2017.
Testers called it the “crown jewel of the trilogy,” praising the “continuous development of the series” and the “exciting innovations to the known formula.”
With 86%, it is the best new strategy game for PC in 2022 according to Metacritic. Even the DLC “Royal Court” for Crusader Kings 3 only scored 83% – Warhammer 40,000: Chaos Gate – Daemonhunters is at 81% (via metacritic).
At release, it was Total War: Warhammer 3 a top seller on Steam.
Total War: Warhammer 3 still lacks the centerpiece of the game
What is the problem with the game? The problem with Total Warhammer III is a peculiarity that only becomes apparent if you know the predecessor.
Because the main campaign that Total Warhammer 3 starts with is not the mode that players want to play:
Players want to play the mega mode “Immortal Empires,” which they already know from Part 2 and which was popular there. In “Immortal Empires,” all factions from all 3 parts of the “Total War: Warhammer” series can be played on a gigantic map.
From the last part, we know: This mode gives players extreme freedom and packs many different factions and play styles into the same world. The mode offers endless variety and allows you to play with every known race from the Warhammer universe, in countless different shades.
This mode, however, will only come in the 3rd quarter of 2022. Until then, Warhammer 3 feels like just the appetizer, while the main course is still missing.
How huge will this mode be when it arrives? The dimensions of “Immortal Empires” will be even more significant compared to the already extensive mode from Total Warhammer II:
- Instead of 401 settlements, there should be 554
- Instead of 183 factions at the start, the number will rise to 278
- Instead of 74 legendary lords, there are 86 (these are unique commanders of armies, often with their own special quests and features that can be unlocked)
As the developers announce, the number should even increase after the release of the mode over DLC and free updates (via totalwar).
Mortal Empires was a feast for all strategy gamers – Part 3 is set to be much bigger
What makes this mode so special? The diversity in the mode is enormous, as one knows from Warhammer 2.
Each race has peculiarities in its mechanics that lead to a different playstyle:
- While playing as an elf, you tried to confederate other elf factions and incorporate them through diplomacy
- you could run wild and plunder as an orc – opposing founding tribes were simply subjugated once you defeated their chief in battle
- the Skaven undermined enemy cities and built their empire beneath the feet of their adversaries
- Dwarves were constantly busy pacifying the next grudge – it is a very grumpy race
- whereas a gluttonous orc focused entirely on assembling his next meal
- a dark elf struggled with whether to let a demon take control of his mind
This mode in Warhammer 2 was a fulfillment for many strategy players, especially since it was expanded over the years and always brought new variations.
However, the “campaign” of Warhammer 3 feels like it restricts the player strongly and forces a specific playstyle on him that revolves around gimmicks (the realms of the Chaos gods), which can feel rather tedious in repeated playthroughs, especially when one is used to the extreme freedom of the “Mortal Empires” campaign.
Total War: Warhammer 3 could be “properly” reduced in the Steam Summer Sale
Why should you buy the game today in the Steam Sale? Total Warhammer 3 has almost never been on sale on Steam. Only in a single week in early June, was the game available for €53.99. Otherwise, you always paid the full price of €59.99.
How cheap Total War: Warhammer 3 will be this evening is still unknown. However, it is known that the price will be reduced, and one can hope that the game will be cheaper to buy on Steam than ever before: On the shop page of Total War: Warhammer 3 on Steam, you will be able to buy the game at a reduced price later (via steam).
- The Steam Summer Sale 2022 starts today, June 23, at 7 PM German time
- Do you also like playing coop? One of the best coop games of 2021 is coming to the Summer Sale
Although the user reviews are currently at a disappointing 57% due to the lack of the “main mode”, this should change once the new mode becomes available.
There are many indications that with the release of the mode “Immortal Empires” in the 3rd quarter of 2022, a truly monumental game is waiting for fans of strategy games.
The 12 best strategy games for PC with multiplayer 2022
Update June 23, 7:05 PM: Total War: Warhammer 3 is 10% off. It costs €53.99.
