Yes, it was a joy to see elite Celtic warriors square off against Caesar’s legions, but there are only so many ways those fights can go. That foundation in real-world history kept the series somewhat limited. While troop movements and formations have always been an essential part of Total War, you were always playing with human beings as your pawns. That is, in no small part, due to the natural marriage of Warhammer as a setting and Total War’s gameplay as a foundation. Not only is it one of the most faithful adaptations of Warhammer’s mythos, it is also far and away the best Total War has ever been. Mixing the two raised a lot of questions about how Creative Assembly’s attentiveness to historical detail would work with vampires, demons, and magic. Warhammer, however, has always been about tactics, and for more than 30 years, it’s been one of the most popular fantasy settings around, with a rich lore and vibrant tournament scene for its tabletop miniature game. Your decisions and political position throughout the game would have major effects on the sorts of troops and supplies you could field for any given battle. Here, you’ll micromanage movement and use battlefield tactics to out maneuver foes. Should two opposing forces meet, the game will pull in to show the skirmish. All this takes place on a continent scaling political map detailing borders, important landmarks and troop detachments. During campaigns (which you can play either alone or with others) you’ll refine your statecraft, research technology, and manage your economy to keep your armies well-supplied. The Total War series has, until now, balanced historical realism with strategic play. This was Warhammer, and this was Total War. In minutes, my ghastly corps had torn through Karak Varn’s defenders. When the gates broke, I rushed in with ethereal cavalry, immune to normal weapons and equipped with scythes that bypassed even the sturdiest armor. They rarely break ranks or flee in terror no matter how ferocious their opponent. When the battle started, I surrounded my enemy’s commander with Vargheists–monstrous, man-eating bats–and sent battering rams for the gates. Siege engines ready, and carried yon by fresh Dwarfen zombies, I steeled my undead warriors for the final assault. After each clash, I wrenched the newly dead from the earth and added them to my fiendish, Vampire hordes. I held my siege for weeks, and while my foes’ numbers dwindled, mine grew.

The Dwarfs, hardy and resilient though they may be, were a thorn for my new allies, the green-skinned Orcs and goblins. I sought the Dwarfen capital of Karak Varn. These were the first notes of my invasion. Screeching gears, rhythmic boot steps, and the soft crunch of fresh snow.

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