Command the seas, control the land, forge a new nation, and conquer the globe.
User reviews:
Recent:
Very Positive (185 reviews) - 90% of the 185 user reviews in the last 30 days are positive.
Overall:
Very Positive (11,059 reviews) - 91% of the 11,059 user reviews for this game are positive.
Release Date: 3 Mar, 2009

Sign in to add this item to your wishlist, follow it, or mark it as not interested

Buy Empire: Total War™

19,99€

Packages that include this game

Buy Empire: Total War Collection

Includes 6 items: Empire: Total War™, Empire: Total War™ - Elite Units of America, Empire: Total War™ - Elite Units of the East, Empire: Total War™ - Elite Units of the West, Empire: Total War™ - Special Forces Units & Bonus Content, Empire: Total War™ - The Warpath Campaign

Buy Total War Master Collection Sept 2014

Includes 8 items: Medieval II: Total War™, Rome: Total War™ - Collection, Empire: Total War™, Napoleon: Total War™, Total War: SHOGUN 2, Total War: Shogun 2 - Fall of the Samurai, Viking: Battle for Asgard, Total War™: ROME II - Emperor Edition

Buy Total War Grand Master Collection

Includes 27 items: Medieval II: Total War™, Rome: Total War™ - Collection, Empire: Total War™, Empire: Total War™ - Special Forces Units & Bonus Content, Empire: Total War™ - Elite Units of the West, Empire: Total War™ - The Warpath Campaign, Empire: Total War™ - Elite Units of America, Empire: Total War™ - Elite Units of the East, Napoleon: Total War™, Napoleon: Total War - Heroes of the Napoleonic Wars, Napoleon: Total War™ - Coalition Battle Pack, Napoleon: Total War™ - The Peninsular Campaign, Napoleon: Total War - Imperial Eagle Pack, Total War: SHOGUN 2, Total War: SHOGUN 2 - Sengoku Jidai Unit Pack, Total War: SHOGUN 2 - The Hattori Clan Pack, Total War: SHOGUN 2 - The Ikko Ikki Clan Pack, Total War: SHOGUN 2 - Dragon War Battle Pack, Total War: SHOGUN 2: Saints and Heroes Unit Pack, Total War: SHOGUN 2 – Otomo Clan Pack DLC, Total War: Shogun 2 - Fall of the Samurai, Total War: Shogun 2 - Fall of the Samurai – The Saga Faction Pack, Total War: Shogun 2 - Fall of the Samurai – The Obama Faction Pack, Total War: Shogun 2 - Fall of the Samurai – The Tsu Faction Pack, Total War: Shogun 2 - Fall of the Samurai – The Sendai Faction Pack, Viking: Battle for Asgard, Total War: SHOGUN 2 - Rise of the Samurai Campaign

 

Reviews

"This is one of the most playable, important and accomplished games ever created." 94% PC GAMER
"...deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as the greatest names in gaming history." 9.5/10 IGN

Just Updated

Mac version available now!

About This Game

ABOUT EMPIRE: TOTAL WAR


Dominate the 18th century on land and sea. Command the seas, control the land, forge a new nation, and conquer the globe. Empire: Total War takes the Total War franchise to the eighteenth century Age of Enlightenment — a time of political upheaval, military advancements, and radical thought, captured in stunning detail in Empire: Total War.
Empire: Total War introduces a host of revolutionary new features, including true 3D naval combat. For the first time in the Total War series, you will be able to intuitively command single ships or vast fleets upon seascapes rich with extraordinary water and weather effects that play a huge role in your eventual glorious success or ignominious defeat. After pummelling your enemy with cannon fire, close in to grapple their ship and prepare to board, taking control of your men as they fight hand-to-hand on the decks of these wooden behemoths.
In addition, Empire: Total War will see further enhancements to the Total War series’ signature 3D battles and turn-based campaign map. Real-time battles will pose new challenges with the addition of cannon and musket, challenging players to master new formations and tactics as a result of the increasing role of gunpowder within warfare. And the Campaign Map — for many, the heart of Total War — introduces a variety of new and upgraded elements, including new systems for Trade, Diplomacy and Espionage with agents; a refined and streamlined UI; improved Advisors; and a vastly extended scope, taking in the riches of India, the turbulence of Europe and, for the first time, the untapped potential of the United States of America.
  • Take command on the high seas. New real-time 3D naval warfare takes Total War's unparalleled battle action to the high seas, with players commanding single ships or vast fleets.
  • Become a founding father. Starting in 1700 — The era of warfare across oceans, revolution and the founding of the United States.
  • All new graphics engine and technology features staggering real-time seascapes, new advanced landscape and flora systems, and dynamic weather.


March 31, 2010 - Update
Update 1.6 for Empire: Total War is available today. The update introduces a large number of revisions to the Artificial Intelligence in real time battles. Amongst many other improvements, the Battle A.I. now maintains its lines more rigorously, has better army movement and engages in melee more tactically. It is also better at protecting its own advance and engaging opponents with flanking attacks.
 

October 5, 2009 - Update
Performance and other general improvements to Empire: Total War have just been released, in conjunction with the new Warpath Campaign DLC. Read on for a full list of features included with this update.
 

September 22, 2009 - Update
This update, now available on Steam, adds two new historical battles: Battle of Rossbach and Battle of Fontenoy. Both are available in single player and multiplayer game modes. Read on for a full list of features included with this update.
 

June 22, 2009 - Update
Empire is expanding. With its latest update now available on Steam, Empire: Total War adds 14 free new units along with numerous updates and game enhancements. Read on for a full list of features included with this update.
 

System Requirements

Windows
Mac OS X
SteamOS + Linux
    • Supported OS: Windows® XP Service Pack 2 or Windows Vista™
    • Processor: 2.4 GHz Intel® Pentium® or greater or AMD® Athlon® equivalent CPU
    • Memory: 1 GB RAM (XP,) 2 GB RAM (Vista™)
    • Graphics: 100% DirectX 9.0c compatible hardware accelerated video card with shader version 2.0 support, 256 MB video memory
    • Display: Minimum screen resolution of 1280 x 1024 pixels
    • Sound: Directx9.0c compatible sound card
    • Hard Drive: 15 GB free hard disk space formatted as NTFS
    • Peripherals: Windows compatible mouse and keyboard
    Minimum:
    • OS: 10.8.5
    • Processor:2.0 GHz
    • Memory:4GB Memory
    • Graphics:256MB*
    • Hard Drive:20GB HD space
    • Other Requirements: The following graphics cards are not supported: ATI X1xxx series, Intel GMA series and NVIDIA 7xxx series.
    Recommended:
    • OS: 10.9.3
    • Processor:2.4 GHz
    • Memory:4GB Memory
    • Graphics:512GB*
    • Hard Drive:20GB HD space
    • Other Requirements: The following graphics cards are not supported: ATI X1xxx series, Intel GMA series and NVIDIA 7xxx series.
    Minimum:
    • OS: Steam OS or Ubuntu 14.04.1 (64 bit required)
    • Processor: 2GHz
    • Memory: 4GB Memory
    • Graphics: 512MB*
    • Hard Drive:18GB HD space
    • Other Requirements: Nvidia 600 series+, AMD 6000 series+, Intel Iris Pro.
    • IMPORTANT: Requires 64bit OS to play.
    Recommended:
    • OS: Steam OS or Ubuntu 14.04.1 (64 bit required)
    • Processor: 3 GHz
    • Memory: 8GB Memory
    • Graphics: 1GB*
    • Hard Drive: 18GB HD space
    • Other Requirements: Nvidia 700 series+, AMD R7 series+
    • IMPORTANT: Requires 64bit OS to play.
Customer reviews
Customer Review system updated! Learn more
Recent:
Very Positive (185 reviews)
Overall:
Very Positive (11,059 reviews)
Recently Posted
Almighty Albatross
( 189.2 hrs on record )
Posted: 11 August
Decided its probably time to give E:TW a review considering I played this for lord knows how many hours on disc before I ended up getting it on Steam.

So, is it any good? Short answer...Yeah.

Pros:
-Empire offers the biggest map (to my knowledge) out of most of the Total War games. Ranging from the Americas (North, the neighbouring islands, the head of South), Europe/North Africa, some of the middle east and India. There are also ship-only trade locations around indochina, africa and the americas which also add to the fun.
-Loads of factions.
-Even more emerging factions (All hail the might Norway which completely throttled my Russian Empire).
-Nice range of units even without the DLC.
-The Era itself is quite fun, this is the closest to a World War Total War game so its worth getting to try the vanilla version before getting the World War One mod.
-Revolutions give you the chance to revolt..more importantly the chance to change your nations flag color (Sorry Maratha, it sucks though.)

Cons:
-The diplomacy system..it just doesn't work. For example, Playing as Spain and all is going swell, offer trade with Persia. The game freezes for a moment and I wished it had of stayed frozen. Upon unfreezing, Persia demands 4 of my cities and offers 5 turns of military access....Why in the ♥♥♥♥ would I want to send troops to Persia?
-Copy Pasted villages. All the towns seem to look way too similar, I mean atleast in the American countryside the forests look different but other then that, it's like the Devs just kinda gave up.
-Stupid Units. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. STUPID. Seriously, the amount of times my troops shoot their own soldiers, run back and forward when ordered to charge or just REFUSE to walk into a building is irritating.
-Rebellions. I mean, im a veteran at the Total War games, having played almost every one but I have to say, the rebellions in this seem more like the game going "Meh, why not?" than logical 'tax is too high' or 'religious unrest' rebellions that happen in other games. I've had cities on low tax, religious building with preachers, no schools or colleges and nice pleasure gardens and even had both low and high amounts of troops...rebellions just seem to happen for no reason and they can really mess you up.

I'd give the vanilla game a 5/10, it's not a bad game but it has its flaws that can almost derail any pros.
WITH mods, game bumps up to a 7/10
Still recommend getting it though maybe wait for a sale.
Helpful? Yes No Funny
Alienpope
( 906.4 hrs on record )
Posted: 11 August
Despite the terrible ai, the game is pretty great. It was amazing for its time and it is pretty good for todays standards as well. I would even go as far as to say some features in this game surpass some other Total war games recently released. I've never really had that much fun with trading as i had in this game as of late.

Dont buy this as your first Total war game though. I think the newer titles are better for that. Unless you are particulary interested in the time period this game offers.
Helpful? Yes No Funny
ithiliesshnipes
( 13.5 hrs on record )
Posted: 10 August
The only gripe I have with this game is the utter nonsense written about the right to keep and bear arms (in the description for the minutemen units). As an American, when I saw that I almost lost myself in a patriotic rage, and felt a responsibility to inform the gamers who may view that nonsense of the following: Clearly whoever wrote that into the unit description doesn’t understand the historical context behind the 2nd amendment, nor what a militia is, so I will provide the viewers here with some quotes from our founders. Note, the second amendment states the following: “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed”.

"I ask, Sir, what is the militia? It is the whole people. To disarm the people is the best and most effectual way to enslave them."
-George Mason-

"A militia, when properly formed, are in fact the people themselves …"
-Richard Henry Lee-

"And that the said Constitution be never construed to authorize Congress to infringe the just liberty of the Press, or the rights of Conscience; or to prevent the people of the United States, who are peaceable citizens, from keeping their own arms; …"
Samuel Adams

Other than that, I had some fun playing the game but I quickly got board of the repetitive battles like all other total war games, plus the map mode was buggy as all hell and had horrible framerate problems. All in all would I recommend this? I guess so....
Helpful? Yes No Funny
1-800-GOFUCK-YOURSELF
( 110.3 hrs on record )
Posted: 10 August
Great game smells normal, and very much like to killz the french... no homo... my name is No, my sign is no, my number is no... Men <3 no homo... ♥♥♥♥♥.
Helpful? Yes No Funny
j.ruane
( 54.3 hrs on record )
Posted: 10 August
Amazing game, basically allowed me to turn Isaac Newton into a scholar assasin.
Helpful? Yes No Funny
CH3T
( 163.4 hrs on record )
Posted: 10 August
Empire Total War is actually the first PC game i have ever gotten and i still enjoy playing it. Empire Total War is basically Creative Studios attempt to try many innovative ideas, and include the other stuff in their older games. It is really fun to play especially with friends. Here are some pros and cons:

PROS:
Tons of factions to play as
Lots of units to choose from
Replayability
Many different historical leaders/ generals are in the game
Units are based on their historical counterparts
Campaigns are really fun and unique
Many DLC's to expand each faction's unit roster

CONS:
There are no multiplayer campaigns (empire was made before multiplayer campaigns)
Glitches are non abundant but there are still some sprinkled in the game
I have found the npc's are pretty easy to fight
not many people play anymore so you will have a harder time tring to play multiplayer

All in all empire total war is an oldie but a goodie
Helpful? Yes No Funny
Seky
( 33.5 hrs on record )
Posted: 10 August
You can't take this game seriosly... it's just to much fun.
9.75471/2 IGN
Helpful? Yes No Funny
Ser Loras Tyrell
( 128.4 hrs on record )
Posted: 9 August
Never been a fan of this one. The map is meh and battles are always pretty laggy.
Helpful? Yes No Funny
[TGB] Mark [1st SCR]
( 267.9 hrs on record )
Posted: 8 August
I enjoyed the game despite the Ai being rubbish.
Helpful? Yes No Funny
Most Helpful Reviews  In the past 30 days
11 of 11 people (100%) found this review helpful
9 people found this review funny
Recommended
12.8 hrs on record
Posted: 1 August
"Your general is dead"
k rip thx

Oh yes, oh yes.
Now for my pros and cons list
Pros:
Lots of Units
Lots of Countries
Lots of Annexing
Lots of Capturing
Lots of British
Lots of India
Lots of Trade
Lots of Negotiating
Lots of Generals
Lots of Boats
Lots of Horses
Lots of cannons

Cons:
A lot of the countries, when trying to negotiate with them, are either big jerks or ♥♥♥♥ing stupid.
Ex:

Me
Offers:
All Tech
5000 Dollars
4 Regions
Indefinite Military Access
Access to Trade Routes
Demands:
Military Access: 5 turns

NPCs:
No
Was this review helpful? Yes No Funny
7 of 8 people (88%) found this review helpful
9 people found this review funny
Recommended
81.9 hrs on record
Posted: 5 August
Took over the entire world with Russia.
10/10 Would create my own Soviet Union again
Was this review helpful? Yes No Funny
3 of 3 people (100%) found this review helpful
1 person found this review funny
Recommended
319.1 hrs on record
Posted: 15 July
Love it! So much replayability, I'm still playing it compulsively years later :P
Was this review helpful? Yes No Funny
3 of 3 people (100%) found this review helpful
Recommended
157.2 hrs on record
Posted: 25 July
First Total War game, and still is my faviort after playing Napelon, Shogun 2, Rome II, and Attila. (Not saying those games are bad) The game just has somthing to it that is diffrent from every other Total War game. I would sugest to new Total War players.
Was this review helpful? Yes No Funny
2 of 2 people (100%) found this review helpful
Recommended
26.4 hrs on record
Posted: 24 July
I've really enjoyed playing Empire: Total War.

It has the perfect balance between detail and size. Medieval II: Total War, for instance, has so much detail it's hard to look at.

But Empire is in that happy zone of size versus detail. It has great replay value, because of the level of gameplay details. At the same time, it doesn't get bogged down by virtue of being too detailed. This keeps the gameplay moving. I find it particularly refreshing in a Total War title, since I love playing them but get tired of the later-game level of nation management. In short, it doesn't drag you down with administrative tasks as the game gets into the later stages. You can keep conquering enemy nations, instead of keeping your nation afloat with never-ending building management, like in the original Medieval: Total War.

The level of advice in the game is perfect for newbies, or for players returning after a long hiatus. It really holds your hand and shows you the ropes, all without being too intrusive. After you've wrung all you can from the advice, you can turn it down or off.

The new battle mechanics of using largely gunpowder troops is a switch for Total War. Of course, previous titles were dominated by hand-to-hand combat with pikes, swords, and the like. Lining up blocks of infanty, by contrast, may get boring after a while since it has less detail. But that depends on the type of player you are.

Instead of concentrating all of a province's buildings in the region capital, there are now buildings spread throughout the province. For instance, farms, universities, and industrial buildings are spread throughout the province. This makes the game more interesting to look at, since it isn't a meaningless landscape dotted with region capitals. It also gives an added stragegic element to the game: you can pillage these buildings, and thus remove the benefits they provide the other nation. For instance, you can pillage a university and thus take it out of action. It then can't do research for the nation you're fighting. These buildings can be repaired for cash in one turn. But still it puts a monkey wrench in the works, especially if it's an advanced building which is expensive to repair.

The different strategic regions (Europe, The New World, India) feel very balanced. It's especially fun to be fighting in North America around the time range of the American Revolution. India feels very boring, since it's basically an inverted triangle. But still, it has a meaningful level of detail to it. It doesn't just feel like a sideshow, though you can ignore it if you wish.

I like that you can send trading ships, called Indiamen, to different places in the world to bring back valuable resources. So for instance, you can dispatch an Indiaman to the west coast of Africa to bring back ivory for your nation to sell to other nations. It's a good source of income, and I like the reliability and simplicity of it. It's a very nice touch.

Diplomacy has a good deal of detail. For instance, if you're allied to a nation, break your alliance with it and then attack it, you'll get a permanent negative rating with most of the nations of the world. They don't like treaty violators! It makes them think twice about engaging in any deals with you. So be careful who you ally with. Don't do it as a convenience which you intend to break 10 turns later. Additionally, there are "historical grievances" between different nations based on their actual history. So for instance, the United Provinces have historical grievances with Spain because of Spain's attempts to conquer the nation. It adds a nice amount of...landscape to diplomacy. It doesn't feel like you're all just a bunch of random nations dumped into an Earth-like arena with no background. It feels more like actual history.

Unfortunately, you can't play as the United States. I guess they thought that it would be impossible to make it into a meaningful power with any realism. Still, it would have been nice to try! So if you would like to have a part in American history, it will have to be secondary part. For instance, in my first campaign I was playing as Prussia and conquered Britain. This sparked the American Revolution by eliminating the Original Thirteen's rulers across the sea. So you can be involved, but only in a secondary way.

So if you like Total War games, and especially if you'd like one that moves a little faster than previous titles, give Empire: Total War a whirl!
Was this review helpful? Yes No Funny
2 of 2 people (100%) found this review helpful
Recommended
30.3 hrs on record
Posted: 30 July
Watching a line of infintry march down a field while cannon balls explode around them is awesome!
Was this review helpful? Yes No Funny
1 of 1 people (100%) found this review helpful
Recommended
18.2 hrs on record
Posted: 30 July
It's one of the best Rts games I've ever bought. Totally worth the $20
Was this review helpful? Yes No Funny
1 of 1 people (100%) found this review helpful
Recommended
25.5 hrs on record
Posted: 30 July
very good game, i would sincerely recommend this! some lag but easily fixed, Campaign map is awesome! AI is good, 9/10 stars!
Was this review helpful? Yes No Funny
1 of 1 people (100%) found this review helpful
Recommended
183.8 hrs on record
Posted: 30 July
I put a lot of hours into the game, and found a lot of it enjoyable. The battlefields are well designed and the animations of the troops on the field make the Total War series amazing. The road to independence was also really great due to the amount of historical content the game gave to the player. I would reccommend this game for people who like strategy, and games with large more thought process that the common shooter games.
Was this review helpful? Yes No Funny
1 of 1 people (100%) found this review helpful
Recommended
54.3 hrs on record
Posted: 10 August
Amazing game, basically allowed me to turn Isaac Newton into a scholar assasin.
Was this review helpful? Yes No Funny