Unique events and story missions offer up more flavour while having a knock-on effect, drawing in other kingdoms. Viking Dyflin dabbles in the nauseating slave trade, West Seaxe hosts Witans that determine the kingdom's future, while Circenn has a legitimacy system that encourages leaders to placate the north by going out and doing great deeds, usually at the end of a spear. ![]() With everyone being at a similar technological level and fielding visually indistinguishable bearded warriors, they're not as obviously different as the Romans and Germanic tribes (or the Empire and the Orcs), but each has a mechanical hook that helps make them stand out in a lineup. How long that lasts depends on how long the king can keep his vassals and nobles happy, or how quickly he can kill troublemakers. The Vikings might not always get along, but when the Gaels rise up against them, you'd better believe they team up, or at least get pressed into service by the most powerful king. With everyone at one another's throats, I was able to pick them off one at a time, Vikings included.Įach of the ten playable factions is part of a cultural group that comes with certain allegiances and grudges. It actually worked out, giving me-the terrible pragmatist that I am-an excuse to swallow up all of my one-time allies and consolidate my power. The assassination attempt on my king, Áed of Circenn, splintered the alliance of Scottish kingdoms that had previously been united against the Vikings. How many kings could you really fit in Britain, you're perhaps wondering. It's fertile ground for a Total War romp, with the British Isles heaving with people who really don't like one another, especially the kings. This time it's the age of Alfred the Great, King of the Anglo-Saxons and historical celebrity. Total War Saga games, of which this is the first, are smaller standalone games that hone in on a flashpoint in history. TOTAL WAR SAGA: THRONES OF BRITANNIA REVIEW Initially weak units also mean that attrition can be a serious problem, as starvation or seasickness devastates an already threadbare force. Early on, I made the mistake of leaving weak borders unguarded, and had to make do with hastily cobbled together levy spearmen to defend against sieges. A number of factors affects replenishment, but generally, it makes forethought and planning an absolute necessity. The disadvantage of marching into the pub and thrusting a spear in the hand of whoever hasn’t passed out already is that units are recruited at a quarter total strength. You bolster the ranks of your army from a universal pool that can be accessed from any owned settlement, regardless of buildings. Those coming from Total Warhammer might be disappointed that the most novel thing on offer here is units of ferocious war dogs, but it’s still satisfying to watch a charge of pugilistic puppers who’ve just decided the opposing frontline have biscuits in their pockets. West Seaxe has some seriously nasty late game cavalry, for example, and a few units of Welsh archers with flaming arrows will make short work of an approaching siege tower. The stained glass and wood carving motif reinforces the sense that you’re writing your personal legend into history, which means it’s always fun to imagine the glassworker who has to immortalise your brutal pillaging in glittering detail.įaction-specific units are few, so personality comes from unit specialities. ![]() The exclusive focus on the extremely disunited kingdom means a smaller landmass, but densely populated provinces with multiple settlements, each of which can be built up to provide different resources or research paths. Drop down menus make shuffling through armies and provinces intuitive, which you’ll come to appreciate. Helms off to Creative Assembly for making it not only workable, but attractive. This is Total War, however, so before navigating the perils of battle, it’s necessary to navigate the perils of the labyrinthine UI. Truthfully though, like so much of the conflict in history, they had something shiny, and I decided I wanted it. I’d like to pretend their sacrifices come at the bitter end of a long, failed diplomatic campaign. Although I imagine its majesty is somewhat lost on the seven hundred exhausted Welshmen I’ve just ordered to breach the stronghold’s walls, with nothing but battered wooden shields between them and a typical British forecast of flaming arrows. From my vantage point, there’s something enchanting about the snow-capped palisades of Dinefwr.
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