Medieval: Total War Review

By Rob Fahey Published 19 September, 2002

Review - the long-awaited sequel to Shogun knocks us senseless

Version tested: PC

Strategy games are not, in general, particularly thrilling spectacles. Certainly, they are often involving, challenging and interesting - but in terms of stirring the soul, they're not really much cop. There's not a lot of drama or emotion in play when a tank blows up a couple of lighter vehicles in Red Alert, or when your Zerg lay waste to an enemy outpost in StarCraft - which is why finding a strategy game which has the blood of your warrior ancestors pumping through your veins and the bloodthirsty cries of battle ringing in your ears is really something rather special.

Fight to the Death

'Medieval: Total War' Screenshot jul12b

This game ranks highly!

And that's exactly what Medieval: Total War is; something rather special. The developers of Shogun: Total War are back with a game which isn't so much an upgrade or a sequel as a complete overhaul of the original, reinventing much of the battle system and almost all of the strategic system to deliver a slicker, more thoughtful and yet even more dramatic game. If you thought charging hundreds of samurai across the fields of Japan into bloody battle was an incredible experience, then the delights offered by Medieval will make your mouth water; and if you've never played Shogun, you truly have a treat in store for you.

Taking it from the top, for the benefit of those who have never played the first Total War title, Medieval is a game, set in Europe during the end of the Dark Ages and the Renaissance, which gives you control of a faction and then sets you loose to achieve domination through a combination of tactical manoeuvring and hard-fought battles on a grand scale. Two almost entirely different games exist here rolled into one; firstly, there is the tactical map, which gives you control of your provinces on an economic, military and political level. Secondly - and herein lies the true hook of the game - there is the battle map, which pits your armies against those of your rivals and gives you direct command.

Power, Domination, Control

'Medieval: Total War' Screenshot jul02b

France needed invading if you ask us

One of the key differences between Medieval and Shogun is that the tactical map has now been beefed up significantly, with the level of control offered to you - and the resulting level of complexity - being far ahead of anything seen in the previous game. You have direct control of the production queues of each province in terms of buildings and troops, as well as being able to award titles relating to the province to your generals, affect the religion and loyalty of the populace in a variety of ways and even secure yourself against spies and assassins - while using the same tools against your own enemies. You must also keep an eye on the royal family of your realm; the game spans several hundred years, and you'll go through a lot of monarchs in that time - so you need to be sure to keep their heirs safe, because a country without a king will often be reduced into civil war.

If all of this sounds familiar, that's probably because you've played one of Sid Meier's Civilization games in the past. Creative Assembly have certainly taken a lot of inspiration from Civ in creating their tactical play component, and while the technology tree in Medieval certainly isn't as complex or extensive as the one in Civilization, this is more then compensated for by the intricate systems controlling monarchy, succession, generals of armies and governors of provinces. Indeed, in many ways Medieval is a more satisfying tactical game than Civilization III was; the level of forward planning required in conducting a successful military or espionage campaign is much higher, and the sense of overall achievement when you conquer a rival or even just capture a province is far beyond anything Civ has to offer.

Dulce Et Decorum Est…

'Medieval: Total War' Screenshot jul11b

Slaughter on a grand scale

Of course, the incredibly good tactical game is only half of the story where Medieval is concerned, because when your armies march off to war in this game, you get the chance to control their battles directly. The computer can, of course, resolve disputes on purely numerical basis - but a little tactical flair can overcome even quite overwhelming odds, so it's almost always worth your while to take control yourself. Besides, if you choose to ignore the battles, you're missing a really big part of the overall package - and one of the best war simulations ever created. Set on a variety of giant, rolling landscapes, you can take control of literally thousands of troops, organised into a number of divisions, and must take advantage of the landscape and the composition of your forces in either defending your territory or invading an enemy province.

The sensation of scale and drama in these conflicts is incredible; imagine the opening scene of Gladiator replayed on a grand scale, with fantastic music that rises and falls according to the events on the battlefield and hundreds of units clashing noisily on the hillsides and valleys of the province. The simulation of battle is also superb, with height offering a real tactical advantage, and the strengths and weaknesses of each unit accurately modelled - right down to archers having poor aim in bad weather, and camel-mounted Arab troops panicking the horses of cavalry! There's little in gaming terms that can match the drama and satisfaction of an uphill enemy charge being cut down by lines made up of hundreds of strategically positioned archers on the hilltop, before your cavalry race downhill to pick off the retreating stragglers.

Battlefield Control Terminated

'Medieval: Total War' Screenshot jul10b

Four legs good, two legs bad!

Control of the battlefield is not perfect - the camera can occasionally be fiddly, and it can sometimes be difficult to see exactly what all of your units are doing at any given time. However, in ways, this confusion adds to the atmosphere of the game; while the gamer in you hankers for the accurate, pixel perfect controls espoused by modern RTS titles, it has to be remembered that war in medieval times simply didn't work that way - not to mention that factors such as the tiredness and morale of your troops will have a major effect on how accurately your orders are carried out, and with what speed.

All in all, Medieval presents a stunningly rounded package, combining the most dramatic and stirring renditions of the battlefield ever created with a deep and cerebral tactical game which rivals any god-game on the market in terms of complexity and entertainment. Creative Assembly have crafted a masterpiece; a game which may not have massive mainstream appeal for casual gamers, but which anyone who enjoys strategy or historic war will rightly recognise as a milestone in gaming.

9 / 10

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Picture of Rob.

About Rob Fahey

Rob Fahey is a former editor of GamesIndustry.biz who spent several years living in Japan and probably still has a mint condition Dreamcast Samba de Amigo set.

Read more articles from Rob by visiting the Rob Fahey archive page.

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Comments (123) Latest comment 9 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • UncleLou #1 10 years ago

    Agreed! 'nuff said!

  • Machiavel #2 10 years ago

    Yay. Loved Shogun and this will actually run on my lowly p2 system.

    What's this, 1.9Gb install? On my 5.6Gb drive?

    /Falls over

  • Khab #3 10 years ago

    Guys, guys, guys...

    Tactics aaand Strategy...

  • Moonbender #4 10 years ago

    I'd rather twitch and spasm. :)

  • Shinji #5 10 years ago

    Hmmm, interesting - the direct opposite definitions to what I've always used when describing the two types of gameplay :) I'm not sure if this is just me being mistaken or the wargaming masses in general screwing up the English language - anyone?

    (Bah, you all knew what I meant anyway! :) )

  • Gestalt #6 10 years ago

    "I'm not sure if this is just me being mistaken or the wargaming masses in general screwing up the English language - anyone?"

    Strategic is the moving troops around the world and building your empire side of things, tactical is what happens when two armies meet and go into battle.

  • Whizzo #7 10 years ago

    Must get around to buying this.

    I wonder if the US version has a proper manual this time around, the Shogun manual was practically non-existent for the colonials. I like to think I helped get EA to put the proper manual available for download! It gave my then brand new scanner something to do anyway.... :-)

  • otto #8 10 years ago

    the wargaming masses in general screwing up the English language

    While we're at it, can I get away with pointing out that it's mediaeval or are you all going to call me a pedantic g1t? :)

  • Moonbender #9 10 years ago

    me·di·ae·val Pronunciation Key (md-vl, md-, m-dvl)
    adj.

    Variant of medieval.

    Source: The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
    Copyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
    Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

  • sam_spade #10 10 years ago

    Actually either spelling is acceptable, with the double-a version being the variant and not the accepted standard. :p

    Sorry, didn't mean to be patronising.

  • Moonbender #11 10 years ago

    That kinda was my point, too. I think. :)

  • sam_spade #12 10 years ago

    Sorry, didn't mean to be patronising.
    That means 'to treat someone as inferior' BTW. ;)

    Moon: You must have beaten me to the draw. :)
    Edited by 1 at 19/09/02 @ 20:55

  • Moonbender #13 10 years ago

    In the end, it's the ping to www.eurogamer.net that decides. :p

  • otto #14 10 years ago

    Variant of medieval.

    Source: The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language     (my emphasis)

    The standard English spelling is with 'a'. The American English spelling is without. I can't get Eidos to change the title of the game, but I can ask Rob to correct the spelling of the word for an international audience ("war in medieval times simply didn’t work that way";). ;P

  • sam_spade #15 10 years ago

    I checked the meaning with a Collins paper dictionary bought in good old England.

    I was going to comment on Moon's source but didn't want to incur the wit and wrath of BGIE. :)

  • otto #16 10 years ago

    Collins? Pah!

    Far as I'm concerned dropping the 'a' is dangerous revisionism inspired by colonials, I'd go & check the OED but I'm too cocky to bother. At best I'll admit that the no 'a' version is a variant of the standard spelling which has become acceptable by some in these slipshod days, but not by me. :p

    Drop the 'a' in mediaeval, next thing you know they'll be dropping the 'u' in favourites and the 'me' in programme. Thin end of the wedge.
    Edited by 1 at 19/09/02 @ 21:17

  • Moonbender #17 10 years ago

    Well, the Encyclopćdia Britannica uses Marriam-Webster as a dictionary, which (AFAIK) is American, and which is the only hardcopy dictionary I have at home. Like the American Heritage Dictionary, it lists "mediaeval" as an alternate spelling. The only British dictionary I finally found was the Cambridge International Dictionary of English. The entry to "mediaeval" contains a link to the entry "medieval":

    (from Cambridge International Dictionary of English)

    medieval, mediaeval
    adjective [not gradable]
    of or from the Middle Ages the period from about 1000 AD to 1500 AD, or from about 600 AD to 1500 AD
    a medieval building/painting/town

    Again, this seems to imply that "mediaeval" is merely an alternate spelling, nowhere was there any mention of a preferred form - and if anything, "medieval" was implied as preferred since it was always the main entry.

    (If anyone thinks my nitpicking is pathetic, it may well be but I happen to think this is fun.)

    Edit: Oh yeah and I had the feeling the "American" would bite me in the ass when I posted, but I was too lazy to look up another dictionary at that point. Plus the A.H. dictionary is usually quoted as the definitive resource in all other circumstances. =)
    Edit 2: I now have a similar feeling about the "International", but hell, find me a better dictionary, then.
    Edited by 2 at 19/09/02 @ 21:22

  • Moonbender #18 10 years ago

    Where else? A decent strategy game on a console? Hahaha.

  • sam_spade #19 10 years ago

    International English????

    What's the matter with you man???

    English is no more international than spotted dick.

    However, I do have a Brewer's Phrase and Fable from 1970 which lists the spelling as 'Mediaeval'. While I am willing to accept that Mediaeval as the former standard; my advice to Otto would be to slap in a copy of Medal of Honor and get with the times.

    Doesn't anyone have an OED that we can check this against?

  • kissoon #20 10 years ago

    This one I'll probably like.

  • Moonbender #21 10 years ago

    So what?

  • sam_spade #22 10 years ago

    Simple spelling for a simple nation. ;)

  • otto #23 10 years ago

    The reason Americans spell differently to the rest of us (which is what I mean by "international" English - you know, the stuff they speak in the UK, Canada, Australia, India etc) is because their legislators in the 19th Century thought it would be a useful way to spend their time if they went through the language "simplifying" orthography. Well sorry but I prefer my language to evolve the natural way. Politicians have no place fiddling with my language, least of all American ones.

    Anyway, the game... (feeling sorry he started it)

    (Oh and it's "arse" and "honour" btw ;p)

    edit - link added
    Edited by 1 at 19/09/02 @ 22:12

  • Amajiro #24 10 years ago

    Er.... anyway, back to the game...

    Has anyone else noticed what absolute cowards the French are?

  • sam_spade #25 10 years ago

    While my patriotic soul agrees with you whole-heartedly Otto; the pragmatist in me won't let go.

    English has evolved over many years and is a mixture of various language, most predominantly Latin. But the language keeps evolving, so I think you have to accept the occasional shift towards other spellings like medieval.

    But it will be a cold, hard day when they prise the U out of my armour.

    It could be worse, we could be writing Esperanto. (Link for those not in the know)

  • Moonbender #26 10 years ago

    I just clarified 'why' theres different spellings.

    Yes, but which one's right? ;)

  • sunjumper #27 10 years ago

    In the OED (Fifteenth printing 1971) both forms of mediaeval/medival are listed.
    Edited by 1 at 20/09/02 @ 00:07

  • Khab #28 10 years ago

    My 7th-grade history teacher taught me all about esperanto. He said that since no one nation would accept another nation's language as a standard, some bright minds came up with the idea of creating a new one, leveling the field for everyone. The whole thing failed because people didn't resist using another language as a standard because it was someone else's language, but simply because it wasn't THEIR language.

    Oh, and I really think what with the whole eastern bloc throwing it in with EU, we should dramatically reduce the number of official languages. Preferably to one, but I'll accept three if I have to.
    Edited by 1 at 20/09/02 @ 00:09

  • beep #29 10 years ago

    Does the American release have a pre-emptive strike strategy in it?
    Edited by 1 at 20/09/02 @ 03:57

  • DNM #30 10 years ago

    Surely an American release would be dangerous to allied troops?!?! :)

  • otto #31 10 years ago

    It's like having a go at Walloon (sp) or something

    Sounds good to me :p

    In unrelated news, it's my Eurogamer birthday. First post one year ago today. Part-ay! ==~

  • Nemesis #32 10 years ago

    /Distributes McDonalds balloons/

    (Hey they're free)

  • otto #33 10 years ago

    /me blows out the candle: ==*

    /me wishes for an end to all fanboy wars and a return to the good old days when people knew how to spell :)

  • UncleLou #34 10 years ago

    "Yay. Loved Shogun and this will actually run on my lowly p2 system"

    Unfortunately, the system requirements of M:TW are much steeper than those of Shogun, though the graphics aren't significantly better (which is alright, as Shogun looked fantastic).

    In some of the big battles, it's hardly playable on my missus' PIII 500 Gf4 system, and it's not at all playable on my PII 266 which ran Shogun very well.

  • jaa #35 10 years ago

    Wieshes not graentede, you Nintendo faneboy!

  • Nemesis #36 10 years ago

    Dunno when my date is, but every day is like a birthday on Eurogamer.

    /thump of moneybag/

    Why thankyou.

  • jaa #37 10 years ago

    Your <a href=http://ww w.jennys-cakes.com/spider-cake.htm>cake</a>, otto. I know, the name's wrong but it was the only one I could find in such short notice. It seems it was for a little girl who won't be needing it anymore. Sad story. Anyway, good for us. Enjoy it.

  • Amnesia #38 10 years ago


    This game rocks. Nuffz.

  • glo #39 10 years ago

    regarding the spelling debate, we have access to the oed online at work. According to the 1979 edition both spellings are interchangable but the most recent 2001 draft entry only list medieval as the correct spelling.

    Not sure if this helps at all.

  • swede #40 10 years ago

    One tip to improve performance - run with sound settings at medium or maybe even low. Running with settings on high has a very high impact in the battle scenes and doesnt really add all that much.

  • UncleLou #41 10 years ago

    ??? I didn't see any option to change sound quality in the menu. There's only a "hardware mix" button or something of that kind. Am I missing something here?

  • swede #42 10 years ago

    yeah, you probably need to be at the main menu just after launching, not during a game, but go to options, audio, and there is sound quality setting of low/med/high (if my memory serves me!)

  • UncleLou #43 10 years ago

    I am quite a tweaking fanatic and have spent some time in the M:TW options menu, so I doubt the existence of such a button until I get the chance to check it again ;-)

    But thanks anyway, this could really help...

  • swede #44 10 years ago

    One problem I have with medieval (and shogun) is whilst being stable during the game, it nearly always hangs when trying to exit - it asks me if i am sure i want to exit total war, i click yes and thats it, it hangs there. I have to kill the task. All seems to be OK afterwards though, it is just a pain. Had a look on their tech forums, but couldnt find much. Anyone else experienced this?

  • UncleLou #45 10 years ago

    Read of this problem on the official board which you can access from www.totalwar.com, but haven't experienced it myself...Shogun and Medieval ran bug-free on the systems I played them on.

    Oh, and I love the music in Medieval! Especially when playing the Egyptians or Almohades, and then fighting to their tunes in the desert during a sandstorm...just grand!

    edit: just realised you already were at the tech forum...my bad
    Edited by 2 at 20/09/02 @ 11:15

  • Shinji #46 10 years ago

    Right, do I take it we're agreed that I'm right to spell it "Medieval" then? :) I know that the only place I've seen it spelt with a second 'a' is in /really/ old books...

    For what it's worth, I still have a minor spasm every time I see EA pedalling "Medal of Honor" in the UK. How difficult can it be to get the fucking spelling right, honestly?

  • otto #47 10 years ago

    No we do not take it that you spell it "medieval", unless the OED have taken leave of their senses and decided to go all american in the seven years since I left the hallowed shores of Blighty...

    Come on someone back me up here :)

    edit - someone go look up 'aesthetic' and 'anaemic', surely they've not changed?
    Edited by 1 at 20/09/02 @ 11:30

  • swede #48 10 years ago

    unclelou, i have had a look at the manual (which i have with me at work ;) ) and can confirm that there is an option to adjust the audio quality. I think it defaulted to medium, so this what yours should be if you missed it - adjust it down to low and it might run better. The other one which may help is the special fx (smoke and fauna etc.) switch these off.

  • Razz #49 10 years ago

    "/me blows out the candle: ==* "
    ROFLOL

    The candle loks like a stick of dynamite!

    -Razz

  • Mr_Sleep #50 10 years ago

    Congrats Otto!

    I am currently taking over most of Europe and converting it to Islam, frankly though the pushy Novgrodians are standing in my way, although not for that much longer!

    One of the great things is how different the game is every time you play it, I mean Novgorod is hardly match to the Germans by specs alone but as the game evolves anything can happen...it is fun to see the English being squashed as well :p

    Great review Shinji, really on point.

    One complaint I have is how often they send stupid preachers over to my land, it's just beginning to get on my nerves, it prompts me to start attacking them :D

  • sam_spade #51 10 years ago

    'aesthetic' and 'anaemic' are all present and correct. If OED say that it's Medieval, then that is it - you don't get a much higher authority.

  • Mr_Sleep #52 10 years ago

    "you don't get a much higher authority."

    Are you sure, I mean you are arguing with otto ;)

  • UncleLou #53 10 years ago

    swede, I saw that "fauna" option in the menu, which amused me quite a bit, as the only fauna you'll see is a bird here and there which is made of about 4 polygons. I doubt this is really a performance hit, but who knows? And kudos to you for carrying the manual with you!

  • sam_spade #54 10 years ago

    I mean you are arguing with otto ;)

    LOL

    @Otto: Please excuse my disrespectful manner.

  • swede #55 10 years ago

    Yes, this game is a major talking point in the office at the moment. It sounds a bit sad, but hearing other people recall their battles and progression is quite a laugh.

  • UncleLou #56 10 years ago

    If I'd try to bring up that topic in the office where I work, noone would understand what I am even talking about...

  • Super Stu #57 10 years ago

    Just thought I'd help people out... My mate has this running on his p3 700 with a KyroII and said it looks amazing. That'll be quite heartening for us poor folk, negating the need for 2ghz celerons and the like!

    Where else? A decent strategy game on a console? Hahaha.

    When HDTV is the norm, I don't see why not.

  • otto #58 10 years ago

    Tell you what, I will back down* if the OED really *does* accept "medieval" as a legitimate spelling, even for British English, but I won't believe it until I see it with my own eyes. I mean, how *could* they??

    Anyway you lot won't mind if I keep using the 'a' will you? It just looks WRONG otherwise. :(

    (* - not gracefully though. You can't make me do it gracefully.)

  • swede #59 10 years ago

    yeah, didnt the playstation get a copy of civ2? Anyone play that? Was it dumbed down?

  • otto #60 10 years ago

    PS2 got Age of Kings didn't it?

  • sam_spade #61 10 years ago

    you lot won't mind if I keep using the 'a' will you?

    It'll add a quaint rustic charm to the boards. The American tourists will love it.

    "Look Honey, he even talks in Olde English!"

  • Super Stu #62 10 years ago

    The PS had several RTS games (Dune and the like), but I think people will laugh at those by having to use the dualshock.

    The PS2 has Age of Empires, but again you have the high resolution game running on a low resolution TV problem, plus dualshock.

    Like I said, when HDTV becomes the norm, perhaps this will be another genre successfully transplanted to consoles. Who knows.

  • Super Stu #63 10 years ago

    Out of interest, my '84 Chambers 20th Century Dictionary lists Mediaevil and Medieval as US adjective of The Middle Ages.

  • Mr_Sleep #64 10 years ago

    @UncleLou, same here :)

    @Swede, you can save replays as well, i don't know if those are then interchangable with other computers.

  • swede #65 10 years ago

    nice idea - replay swapping (@me - you sad bastard)

  • BradlayLaw #66 10 years ago

    I'm pissed off. I really want to play this game. I felt highly turned on whilst sliding the cd into my slot loading drive. I do the initial tutorial and start a campaign. I build my armies and provences until it is time to take over the dirty welsh. I get into the nice landscape. I choose to wait until it is not raining. I click commence battle...

    The game freezes with a sound loop. Hard reset. I have tried everything. Resintall, new drivers, cd crack. Nothing has sorted it so far.

    I hope I have better luck with BF1942 today.
    Edited by 1 at 20/09/02 @ 12:14

  • Super Stu #67 10 years ago

    Hint: NEVER ATTACK THE WELSH

    That was the computer's sutble way of advising you this.

  • Mr_Sleep #68 10 years ago

    it is time to take over the dirty welsh

    Erm, I'll have you know we do have hygiene products :p

    One word of advice, leave Portugal as rebels, that place is nothing but trouble. I have to keep 15 units there just to stop it rebeling
    Edited by 1 at 20/09/02 @ 12:27

  • Nemesis #69 10 years ago

    Erm, I'll have you know we do have hygiene products you know :p

    Yeah rite. Rumour has it the Welsh hide their money under the soap.

  • Mr_Sleep #70 10 years ago

    We don't have any money to hide, the scum of England steal it all!

  • Super Stu #71 10 years ago

    Just been speaking to my mate about this game: how come you can't take control of the Welsh?

    The world would be a better place if populated by Taffs and welshcakes.

  • jaa #72 10 years ago

    leave Portugal as rebels, that place is nothing but trouble

    Ah, the news of our stratospheric public deficit are getting around. :)

    Honestly, we’re not worth the trouble. In the past centuries and after a little persuasion, even the Spanish and the French ended up understanding that.

  • Nemesis #73 10 years ago

    Cmon Stu that'd never work, who'd they sell the cottages to!

    This game has been calling me for a while now and I've been desperately trying to ignore it.

  • Mr_Sleep #74 10 years ago

    I think the welsh can't be taken over due to the actual timeline, plus there are only about 6 of us with computers so there isn't that much of a market for Welsh patriots ;) - Seriously it does strike me as strange, I would love to conquer Europe with Wales :D

    The world would be paradise! :)

    Just try maintaining Portugal on Total War, it can't be done. Perhaps I just need to quash some peasents or something.
    Edited by 1 at 20/09/02 @ 12:44

  • Super Stu #75 10 years ago

    Taffs, welshcakes and A-team Renault Espaces.

    You know it makes sense.

  • Nemesis #76 10 years ago

    Yeah makes sense until you come back down that is...

  • sam_spade #77 10 years ago

    What about the Gogs?

  • Super Stu #78 10 years ago

    We'll leave them to walk up and down Snowdon and film their animated TV program of yesteryear.

  • sam_spade #79 10 years ago

    I was of the understanding that The Gogs TV show was just one big joke by the Southern Wales upon North Wales.

  • jaa #80 10 years ago

    Perhaps I just need to quash some peasents or something

    That hurts.

  • Mr_Sleep #81 10 years ago

    Didn't mean no offence, sorry.

  • jaa #82 10 years ago

    I know. :)

  • Super Stu #83 10 years ago

    Sam.. my statements, unless refering to a Renault Espace turd polished to look like an A-team van, should not be taken in a literal context ;)

  • UncleLou #84 10 years ago

    -> Mr Sleep: yes, Portugal is a REAL pain in the...I am playing the English right now, and own all of Western Europe and Tunesia/Algeria. Just whipped out the HRE and started a war with the Egyptians (my biggest opponent left). The moment I started to attack Egypt

    a) the Hungarians, with which I co-existed peacefully for decades (several daughters are married to them!), attacked me in severeal provinces weakened due to my attack on Egypt
    b) in Portugal a HUGE rebel army popped up which even led to rebellions in the neighbouring provinces.

    I am desperately trying to explain the Egyptians it was all a big misunderstanding...

    And btw: Even worse than Portugal is Rome. The pesky pope (in the game only, no offense)just won't give up...:-)

    edit: changed "Brits" to "English"
    Edited by 1 at 20/09/02 @ 13:31

  • Mr_Sleep #85 10 years ago

    I tried taking on my neighbours the Eqyptians and they started a Jihad and suddenly had 5000 troops to my 2000...not pretty, no amount of skill was getting me out of that one.

    I haven't got to Rome yet, I feel I will leave that one alone then.

    So far I have managed to attack every nation when they were neutral to me, which helped a great deal.
    Also the Spanish just wouldn't die, they just kept revolting, I think i have it licked now, but they are still somewhat of a problem. How do most of you maintain a semblance of peace, the more I expand the more my provinces become annoied.

  • UncleLou #86 10 years ago

    I always try to build garrisons whereever I can, put troops in (even if it's only peasants), use priests to convince the population to follow my religion, don't execute everyone, build churches, keep an eye to whom I give my titles (some of the vices seem to have a REALLY bad influence on your population) etc.

  • Mr_Sleep #87 10 years ago

    use priests to convince the population to follow my religion

    I have to use Imam's but the idea is the same, it takes ages too. I once executed everyone and 5 provinces revolted. I hadn't really explored the titles part much yet, I am a conquerer not a politician ;)

  • swede #88 10 years ago

    we were talking in the office today about how long the games last. For instance when I bought it and had my first session, I played for around 100 years and only fought around 5 battles, (I let the computer resolve the rest) and that took over 5 hours (quite a long sesh) We reckoned here that if you played most or all of your battles and went through the full 100 years, a game could last as long as 50 hours, with 12 factions thats some VFM. Assuming you dont get bored.

  • Mr_Sleep #89 10 years ago

    I get the feeling it would be longer than 50 hours, but my time appreciation isn't great ;)

  • spiny #90 10 years ago

    And you only gave Halo 8/10...tsk ;)

  • sam_spade #91 10 years ago

    Otto,

    If you're interested, I popped into the bookstore to examine an OED Editor's dictionary.

    Medieval is the recommended spelling and even The Guardian's <A href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/styleguide/page/0,5817, 184829,00.html" target=_new>style guide</a> says the same.

    Sorry to bring this up again. Flogging a dead horse I know.
    Edited by 1 at 20/09/02 @ 18:47

  • swede #92 10 years ago

    I hear that bungie rated all their reviewers and only gave Gestalt an 8!

  • Kylun #93 10 years ago

    Portugal is easy to conquer - take it over - leave a garrison (press the shift key for a quick summary of what people think of you.) You're gonna need to build up the farming, border towers/forts etc., and then leave a bishop and a couple of spies with a "house keeping" force (three or four peasants/militia) to hold it - it should be okay.

    As for Rome - attack it - raze it to the ground and get out and leave a nice garrison on their door step - the pope is a special faction and will always come back. Leave them as the last to be attacked!

  • Gestalt #94 10 years ago

    "the pope is a special faction and will always come back"

    Bloody typical. ;)

  • Kylun #95 10 years ago

    Someone has got to be around to continually ex-commicate you for being nasty. Shame it doesn't have a "Church of England" option.....

  • Gestalt #96 10 years ago

    Do the C of E excommunicate people?

  • Kylun #97 10 years ago

    The C of E has only a tiny place in the game - the English are considered a Catholic faction...!

  • otto #98 10 years ago

    The C of E has only a tiny place in the game - the English are considered a Catholic faction...!

    Er, fellers... It's called Medieval (Mediaeval/whatever)? i.e. pre-reformation?? The Church of England didn't exist until 1536 and seeing as the Middle Ages ended with the Reformation it wouldn't make much sense for a game called Mediaeval to feature a C of E faction...

  • Nemesis #99 10 years ago

    rite you 'orrible lot. I want a word with all of you!

    I finally broke down and purchased a copy. Now I've gotta go rig the pc back up! It's all your fault. i was going to be strong and resist buying, but I am weak.

    Wahooooo. Rite, what cable goes where. Fzzzt.

  • otto #100 10 years ago

    "yet"?!?

  • sam_spade #101 10 years ago

    You're still 40-odd years off if you go with your date Haroshi.

    Otto said:
    The Church of England didn't exist until 1536
    You said:
    Middle Ages ended with the Discovery of the Americas, in 1492
    Edited by 1 at 22/09/02 @ 18:39

  • UncleLou #102 10 years ago

    "I finally broke down and purchased a copy. Now I've gotta go rig the pc back up!"

    Didn't you just recently buy one hell of a system, Nem? Or is time running faster than me again?

  • Pirotic #103 10 years ago

    i got it too, runs like a dog.. and my system can run UT2003 on highest settings at a constant 75fps (can't go higher due to my monitor refresh)

  • UncleLou #104 10 years ago

    Hm...I am playing it on a PIII 500, and it runs ok except in the really big battles. I've read in the forums that people with a SB Live seem to have severe problems though.

  • Nemesis #105 10 years ago

    I did Lou, but I had to rig up a router and a Mac and space is limited. As it happens I chucked the manual in my bag this morning for some dedicated reading. Went to the cinema last night, so I haven't had a chance to install it yet.

    By the way. Signs. GOOD film.

  • Pirotic #106 10 years ago

    fixed the jerking in the end by upping the resolution.. must be some glitch but im not complaning, runs fine in 1024x768 now.

    the fights and battles are excelent, but the single player 'campaign' is rather simplistic and boring.. i'll give it some more time tho, it might grow on me yet.

  • Moonbender #107 10 years ago

    Cheers Nem, Signs owns!

  • Pirotic #108 10 years ago

    Signs - i dont doubt the director has a fantastic flair.. but i felt that it was just a story he couldn't finish and i think a story that cannot be finished should never of been taken up in the first place, i was disapointed.

  • sam_spade #109 10 years ago

    Signs' story ends. Unbreakable and Sixth Sense only get started by the end credits.

  • Nemesis #110 10 years ago

    Do you reckon Piro? I thought it was very well done and, er, finished ok by my book.

    Some of the scenes, such as Mel walking in and they've all got the foil cones on, were just classic. I really enjoyed it start to finish.

  • Razz #111 10 years ago

    My hobbit's official_response the new Mel Gibson movie "Signs"

    -(]O_O[)-

    edit: Posted on wrong thread, so moved here.
    Edited by 2 at 24/09/02 @ 17:07

  • Gestalt #112 10 years ago

    Well, that saves me the effort of watching the movie. :)

  • Nemesis #113 10 years ago

    The foil cones isn't a spoiler!

    Still go watch it!

  • Moonbender #114 10 years ago

    I think he was referring Razz's link which is, indeed, a bit of a spoiler. And it's pretty much true, too, the story isn't the epitome of rationale, but the fact remains that I was totally immersed into and, frankly, horrified by the movie in spite (or ignorant of) all the alogical parts. I only started caring for them when I was save again, after seeing the movie.
    But I'm a wuss, maybe real men aren't immersed and horrified. =)

  • Whizzo #115 10 years ago

    I enjoyed Signs a lot, very funny, scary and very well acted and directed. The two kids gave amazing performances and the two adult leads were good too.

    It's not really a movie about aliens though, it's a movie about humans. Oh and faith too...
    Edited by 1 at 24/09/02 @ 17:30

  • Nemesis #116 10 years ago

    I'm Mr Very Cynical when I go to the movies, but I'm glad I ignored some advice that said it was $hite, er, which it isn't.

    Pretty much any film will start to crumble upon close scrutiny and, maybe it's me, I completely missed the allegorical references. Tch.

    Anyhow, the entertainment started before the movie, as we almost had a fight at the icecream stand. Classic night out all round! Bluewater, it's brill for films.

  • sam_spade #117 10 years ago

    The two kids gave amazing performances

    The little lad is a Culkin.

    Of Macaulay fame.

  • Whizzo #118 10 years ago

    The little lad is a Culkin.
    I know, even Macaulay had one good film in him though, Uncle Buck, perhaps this one will continue without all the problems his predecessor had...

  • sam_spade #119 10 years ago

    vile continuity errors

    Do not break a film unless it brings into question a whole ethos.

    IE Midichlorians in SW: EP1 is utter shit and detracts from the film.

    The answering machine disappearing from a shot in Swingers after he's just spoken to it doesn't matter.

  • Nemesis #120 10 years ago

    Do not break a film unless it brings into question a whole ethos.

    Correct.

    See Star Trek : Generations for a potential headache on such matters.

    Rule # 642: Do not make a film that involves time travel as it is impossible to avoid paradox style conversations.*

    *unless it's Star Trek - they always seem to use it when ideas are running short.

  • Moonbender #121 10 years ago

    Well, I like it.

  • UncleLou #122 9 years ago

    Generic advice, but:

    - make sure you've got all the latest drivers
    - there's a patch out which sorts quite a few problems

    Your PC should be well capable of running this.

  • Lerxster #123 9 years ago

    I had difficulty too with graphics until I turned off vert sync. Worked for me.