This is Total War! And with Warhammer.

If you’re interested in fantasy worlds, how would you immerse yourself in one through video games? Would you dive into a CRPG like Baldur’s Gate 3, fully immersing yourself in role-playing? Or do you prefer a more traditional RPG experience, where you become an elf or a lizardman and throw yourself into the conflicts of a fantastical world? But what if you could engage from a more strategic perspective? The fusion of the Total War series with Warhammer Fantasy is an incredibly captivating journey.

The Total War series, developed by Creative Assembly (CA), is a real-time strategy game renowned for its battlefield tactics, allowing players to command armies in large-scale battles. My first encounter with the series was through Total War: Three Kingdoms, but CA originally gained widespread recognition for its historical Total War games like Rome and Medieval. However, due to the nature of historical settings, factions in these games often share similar cultures, military technologies, and tactical approaches, leading to unavoidable homogenization. The introduction of the Warhammer IP shattered these limitations, bringing an unprecedented level of diversity in factions, tactics, and technology.

Many playable races

One of the most astonishing moments for me was opening the campaign map in Total War: Warhammer III and seeing a staggering 24 different factions to choose from. Beyond the excitement of stepping into the Warhammer Fantasy universe, I was struck by a sense of choice paralysis—each faction seemed to play in a completely distinct way. High Elves excel with archery, the Empire wields gunpowder weaponry, while a faction like Khorne relies almost entirely on brutal melee combat. This creates a kind of multiplicative depth in gameplay: mastering different factions means learning how to effectively use archers and gunpowder units (with key distinctions, such as firearms being obstructed by friendly units in front), and also devising strategies to counter diverse enemies. In battle, direct-fire units must suppress archers while also holding their ground against relentless melee attackers like Vampires or Beastmen. The need for varied tactical responses makes mastering each faction feel like uncovering and understanding its place in the Warhammer Fantasy world. If you’re new to this game, don’t worry. Lower the difficulty, replay the battle, and you’ll soon master strategies and skills with a sense of accomplishment.

Ratling Guns fire!

Another remarkable aspect of playing Total War: Warhammer III is the sheer spectacle of its fantasy warfare. The Warhammer universe feels like a grand, chaotic mix of diverse mythologies—where else can you see a Jurassic Park-style charge of Lizardmen riding Stegadons into lines of disciplined Empire musketeers and tanks? Fantasy warfare is far more than just spellcasting duels. The Skaven, for instance, specialize in devastating ranged attacks, unleashing volleys of warpfire against medieval elven armies. Meanwhile, the Beastmen’s Minotaurs crash through fragile ranged units with terrifying momentum.

MiaoYing — Legendary Lord of Cathay

The game’s artistic direction vividly brings this warring fantasy world to life. Inspired by medieval fantasy creatures, the designs vary dramatically—from classic elves to Warhammer-exclusive factions like the Skaven. My personal favorites are Cathay and the Skaven. Cathay introduces an extremely rare depiction of Chinese dragons in a high-budget game, while the Skaven’s entire aesthetic feels uniquely Warhammer—from their specialized weapon teams to their vast underground empire. And then there’s the unforgettable experience of detonating a warpstone-powered nuclear bomb in the middle of battle—watching a mushroom cloud rise over a fantasy battlefield is an unparalleled thrill.

Another important aspect is Total War: Warhammer III’s role as an introduction to Warhammer Fantasy lore. While veteran fans often criticize the Immortal Empires sandbox mode for its “time-warped chaos” approach, newcomers will find it an excellent gateway into the Warhammer universe. The struggles between the Old World’s Empire and the forces of Chaos, the elven civil war in Ulthuan involving the High Elves, Dark Elves, and Slaanesh, and Cathay’s battles on the Great Bastion against the Chaos hordes—all these narratives are easily experienced just by playing the game. Legendary Lords such as Tamurkhan’s invasion add further depth, making players curious about the deeper history of Warhammer Fantasy. This is, perhaps, the ultimate appeal of a vast and immersive world.

Warhammer 3 is a fantasy journey worth every penny, offering a grander perspective, a more credible fantasy war, and a deeper strategic experience. I love it!

Basic information:

Publisher: SEGA

Developer: Creative Assembly

Platforms: Windows Linux、MacOS

Release Date: 17 February 2022

Genre: RTS

PEGI: 16

Pictures: Game screenshot of writer, from the game https://steamcommunity.com/app/1142710/eventcomments/6760518612022423850/?l=schinese

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