Metascore
88

Generally favorable reviews - based on 25 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 25
  2. Negative: 0 out of 25
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  1. No other game can be properly compared to it.
  2. Computer Gaming World
    100
    Exceeds its predecessor in almost every way... A fantastic historical strategy game. [Dec 2002, p.114]
  3. 100
    An uncompromising game in its presentation, scope, and challenge level. It's well-made, intricate, functional, and deadly, much like the weaponry of that distant time.
  4. Strategy game of the year, perhaps of the millennium.
  5. Game Informer
    93
    The scope is magnificent, and like "Shogun: Total War," conflict has really taken on this type of epic feeling for me. [Oct 2002, p.93]
  6. TotalGames.net
    92
    Almost perfectly executed, there is so much to depth to Medieval Total War that only years of play can adequately discover. But take our word for it, this is a cracker!
  7. An absolute must-buy to any fan of turn-based strategy or real-time strategy. The mechanics are sound, the atmosphere is spot-on, and the scale of the battles is truly epic.
  8. An extraordinarily engaging gaming experience more suited to experienced gamers.
  9. 90
    Best of all, AI plays the game well and playing as different kingdoms and religions makes for a different game each time you load it up.
  10. One of the truly rare games which induces that special kind of gaming exhaustion caused by sleeping two or three pitiful hours at night (while you dream about the game) before getting up to do it all over again.
  11. The tactical battle sequences have also been improved, giving players a wonderful war simulation promising months of gory action.
  12. A pleasant surprise and proves to be one of the best strategy games on the market, with vast and epic battles complete with an impressive system that goes ten times further than the most.
  13. 89
    If you want real time strategy with more teeth you cannot ignore this.
  14. I called "Shogun" the closest thing I had seen to a perfect game, well Medieval: Total War improves on that achievement and delivers one of, if not the best strategy gaming out there.
  15. 87
    A very deep game, one that is bound to excite fans of Shogun along with anyone looking for another reason to stay up really late playing a turn-based strategy game.
  16. A well-conceived and intelligent game...The idea of total war is taken to another level, as Medieval: Total War clearly shows that total war is not all about brute force - quite the contrary.
  17. Achieves that rare quality of having something for nearly all strategy gamers, and most will find a lot to like in it, for a very long time.
  18. The game AI is quite good, and regardless of the difficulty level you select, you will find this to be a challenging game.
  19. We criticized "Shogun" for a few quirks in the interface, but generally it was very clean. Now, those same quirks have bit its sequel in the ass with a vengeance.
  20. Although the strategic aspect of the game is merely average, this game can be recommended based on the strength of its incredible real-time battles.
  21. PC Gamer
    82
    It's highly addictive (I've played at least 50 hours and still want more), and the variety of factions gives it a LOT of replayability. [Dec 2002, p.96]
  22. This type of strategy title is not going to appeal to everyone. It’s peaceful, pleasant; a sorbet pallet cleanser between action titles, if you find yourself looking for such a thing.
  23. The overall graphics of Medieval Total War are nice, but nothing spectacular, although, it should be said that the absolute addictiveness of the game play will have you overlooking the lackluster look.
  24. Cheat Code Central
    80
    It's as good as a game as you're likely to get if you enjoy the Shogun style of strategy games with real time combat.
  25. netjak
    55
    Boring landscapes, crummy models, and weak animation. On top of that, it chugs. It's the worst of both worlds, baby!
User Score
8.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 238 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Negative: 2 out of 238
  1. Jun 25, 2012
    10
    Best game of the series holding its throne together with Rome total war..this "risk" style of moving across the map also has its own charm iBest game of the series holding its throne together with Rome total war..this "risk" style of moving across the map also has its own charm i still play it active after 10 years Full Review »
  2. ArtoT.
    Aug 27, 2005
    6
    The reviews are far too optimistic as games are usually reviewed asap from release... the problems of the game are evident with a few The reviews are far too optimistic as games are usually reviewed asap from release... the problems of the game are evident with a few campaigns. While the Battle map (or RTS) part of the game is great, the turn based strategy part is full of problems such as lousy AI especially in economy which won't build much units to resist you, or build new techs, and diplomacy that simply does not make sense. Also archers are way underpowered, shooting at a mass of unarmored peasants with about 1 of 20 arrows killing. Full Review »
  3. THAMAN
    Jul 13, 2003
    8
    Good game. it's a shame, however, that the developers rushed to bring out this game as soon as possible. u can clearly see that in theGood game. it's a shame, however, that the developers rushed to bring out this game as soon as possible. u can clearly see that in the game sometimes. Full Review »