Total War: MEDIEVAL II – Definitive Edition

Developer: CREATIVE ASSEMBLY
Release: Nov 27th 2007
Platforms:
Strategy
Addictive
Strategic
Historical
Buggy
Outdated
Total War: MEDIEVAL II – Definitive Edition Poster

" Deep grand strategy with rich historical setting and modding, but dated graphics and bugs "

Total War: MEDIEVAL II – Definitive Edition Review

Total War: MEDIEVAL II – Definitive Edition is widely regarded as a classic and one of the best entries in the Total War franchise. Players appreciate its deep grand strategy gameplay, realistic medieval warfare, and extensive modding community that adds endless replayability. The game offers a rich historical setting with diverse factions, dynamic diplomacy, and a blend of empire management and tactical battles. Many fans praise the balance between complexity and accessibility, making it suitable for both newcomers and veterans.

However, some reviews highlight that the game shows its age with dated graphics, clunky UI, and bugs affecting unit pathfinding and AI behavior. While the Definitive Edition bundles all content, it lacks modern quality-of-life features and multiplayer bots. Despite these flaws, the game remains a beloved staple for strategy enthusiasts, especially for those valuing historical accuracy and deep strategic layers. It is often recommended to purchase on sale for nostalgia and mod support, though some newer Total War titles offer more polished experiences.

Highlights

Players praise the , including empire management, realistic battles, and diverse factions with unique strengths. The historical setting and emergent narrative through gameplay add depth and immersion.

The graphics, though dated, retain charm and are complemented by an excellent soundtrack and sound design. The modding community is a standout feature, offering extensive content that greatly extends the game's lifespan.

Replayability is a major strength, with many factions, scenarios, and mods ensuring players can enjoy countless hours of gameplay. The Definitive Edition bundles all expansions, making it a comprehensive package for fans of the medieval era.

Criticisms

Common criticisms include dated graphics and clunky, outdated UI that hamper the experience compared to modern strategy games. Several players report bugs such as poor unit pathfinding, AI glitches, and crashes that can disrupt gameplay.

Diplomacy is often described as bare-bones and less engaging than in newer Total War titles. The absence of multiplayer bots and modern quality-of-life improvements frustrates some users. Additionally, the late-game pacing can feel slow, and some find the campaign AI unfair due to cheating behaviors. Many suggest the game is best enjoyed with mods or as a nostalgic experience rather than a fresh strategic challenge.

Pros

  • Deep and engaging grand strategy gameplay with empire and battle management.
  • Rich historical setting with diverse factions and emergent narratives.
  • Extensive and active modding community adding huge replayability.
  • Excellent soundtrack and immersive battlefield sound design.
  • Balanced complexity suitable for both new and veteran players.
  • Comprehensive Definitive Edition bundling all expansions and DLC.
  • Realistic medieval warfare with dynamic sieges and unit variety.

Cons

  • Dated graphics and clunky user interface compared to modern games.
  • Frequent bugs including poor unit pathfinding and AI glitches.
  • Campaign AI often cheats, leading to unfair difficulty spikes.
  • Lack of modern quality-of-life features and limited diplomacy depth.
  • No multiplayer bots, limiting options for solo multiplayer play.
  • Late-game pacing can become slow and repetitive.
  • Occasional crashes reported even without mods.

Rating Criteria

Story
Difficulty
Graphics
Duration
Stability
Worth the Price
Capsule image

Spanning the most turbulent era in Western history, your quest for territory and power takes you through Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and even onto the shores of the New World.

Release Date Nov 27th 2007
Publisher SEGA, Feral Interactive (Mac), Feral Interactive (Linux)
Developer CREATIVE ASSEMBLY, Feral Interactive (Mac), Feral Interactive (Linux)
Platforms

User Reviews

Overwhelmingly Positive (15,717)
96% Positive 4% Negative