Deal | Steam: "Brutal. Bloody. Brilliant." – strategy classic with 95% positive reviews for around $5 on sale
Developed by Creative Assembly and published by SEGA in 2006, Total War: MEDIEVAL II is a true classic of the strategy genre. Set during the European High and Late Middle Ages, it immerses players in an era shaped by crusades and conquest. Spanning from 1080 to the early 16th century, you lead one of 17 factions – including England, France, the Holy Roman Empire and the Byzantine Empire – on a path to dominance through diplomacy, trade, religion and warfare. The expansive map covers everything from the rolling hills of Britain to the deserts of North Africa and the steppes of the East.
At the heart of the game is the dynamic switch between two gameplay layers. On the strategic map, you manage cities, recruit armies, conduct espionage and negotiate alliances – while keeping an eye on income and population growth. When conflict arises, the action shifts to large-scale real-time battles featuring thousands of units, from mounted knights and longbowmen to siege towers and catapults.
The Definitive Edition includes not just the base game but also the substantial Kingdoms expansion, which adds four unique campaigns: the conquest of the Americas, the wars in Britain, the struggle for the Crusader States and the conflicts within the Holy Roman Empire. Each campaign introduces its own factions, units and historical events. According to rawg.io, this adds up to around 120 extra hours of gameplay.
Reviews: Strong atmosphere and depth, but some rough edges
In its German review, 4Players praised MEDIEVAL II for its immersive atmosphere, detailed battles and the rich cultural variety of units and scenarios. The editors summed it up with three words: “Brutal. Bloody. Impressive.” The soundtrack and cinematic cutscenes also received positive mentions. The AI was noted as a clear improvement over earlier titles, showing more intelligent responses to tactical moves. However, it wasn’t without flaws – logic issues still cropped up, especially during sieges or when navigating tight spaces. The reviewers also pointed out technical shortcomings, though it's unclear how much of that still applies today, as the review dates back to 2006.
4Players awarded Total War: MEDIEVAL II a strong 9 out of 10. On Metacritic, the strategy game holds an impressive Metascore of 88 and a User Score of 9.0. The positive reception carries over to Steam as well, where nearly 25,000 reviews have resulted in a 95% approval rating.
80% discount on Steam
Total War: MEDIEVAL II usually sells for around $25 on Steam, but until June 26, it’s available at an 80% discount, bringing the price down to about $5. Discounts of this size are rare – according to SteamDB, the last one was in May 2024, with the highest ever reaching 88%.
Disclaimer: Notebookcheck is not responsible for price changes carried out by retailers. The discounted price or deal mentioned in this item was available at the time of writing and may be subject to time restrictions and/or limited unit availability.
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