Game Review – Warhammer Total War 3

Total War: Warhammer III is a dramatic and expansive continuation of Creative Assembly’s beloved strategy series, set in the richly detailed Warhammer Fantasy universe. Total War: Warhammer III offers a blend of turn-based campaign strategy and real-time tactical battles. Players choose from a variety of factions, each with unique units, mechanics, and objectives. The central campaign revolves around the struggle for control of the Great Bastion and the fight against the forces of Chaos.

This latest instalment not only refines the series’ formula but introduces new mechanics, factions, and a narrative-driven campaign that dives deep into the chaotic realms beyond the mortal world. Although, if I’m being truly honest, playing the open-world mortal worlds campaign is the best part of this game. Building your empire one battle at a time and playing the battle is just like a fast-paced AOS table-top war.

Playable Races and Their Characteristics

Ogre Kingdoms

• Description: Hailing from the Mountains of Mourn, the Ogre Kingdoms are a brutal and monstrous force renowned for their incredible strength and appetite.
• Advantages: Their units are incredibly tough and hit hard, making them formidable in melee combat. They also have access to powerful monsters and cavalry.
• Disadvantages: Their large size and smaller numbers make them vulnerable to massed ranged fire and crowd control tactics.

The Empire

• Description: The Empire represents the pinnacle of human achievement in the Old World, known for its disciplined armies and powerful magic.
• Advantages: Versatile army composition with strong artillery, cavalry, and wizards, allowing for flexible strategies.
• Disadvantages: Units are generally average without significant weaknesses but also lack the specialized strengths of more focused factions.

Greenskins

• Description: A conglomeration of orcs and goblins, the Greenskins are known for their love of fightin’ and lootin’.
• Advantages: Highly aggressive with large numbers, excelling in overwhelming enemies through sheer force.
• Disadvantages: Lack of discipline can lead to units breaking ranks, and their reliance on momentum makes them susceptible to well-organized defences.

Dwarfs

• Description: The Dwarfs are stout, stubborn warriors and craftsmen, holding grudges as dearly as their treasures.
• Advantages: Extremely resilient with strong defensive capabilities and powerful artillery.
• Disadvantages: Very slow movement speeds and no cavalry or magic, making them less adaptable.

High Elves

• Description: The High Elves are a sophisticated and ancient race of warriors and mages from the island of Ulthuan.
• Advantages: High-quality units with excellent ranged and magic capabilities, combined with strong naval power.
• Disadvantages: Expensive unit costs and relatively lower unit numbers require careful management and tactics.

Dark Elves

• Description: Hailing from the bleak land of Naggaroth, the Dark Elves are cruel and sadistic raiders with powerful magic and warfare skills.
• Advantages: Powerful offensive capabilities and strong magic users, alongside benefits from slavery which boost their economy.
• Disadvantages: Their reliance on maintaining high levels of cruelty and murder can make public order hard to maintain, and their units often have high upkeep.

Skaven

• Description: Rat-like creatures that rely on overwhelming numbers and sinister technologies, the Skaven are as treacherous to each other as to their enemies.
• Advantages: Able to field massive armies supported by devastating war machines and sorcery.
• Disadvantages: Low morale and high infighting risks can lead to units routing or backstabbing each other in the absence of strong leadership.

Kislev

• Description: Inspired by Slavic folklore, Kislev is known for its resilient people and harsh winters. They are defenders of the northern borders of the human realms.
• Advantages: Excellent defensive capabilities, with strong infantry and powerful ice magic. Their units can often endure harsh conditions better than most.
• Disadvantages: Limited mobility and ranged options can make them less versatile in more dynamic battle scenarios.

Chaos Factions

Khorne

• Description: The Blood God Khorne focuses on melee combat and despises magic, fielding some of the most fearsome warriors.
• Advantages: Extremely strong in close-quarters combat, with units that excel in dealing massive damage.
• Disadvantages: Almost no ranged capabilities and a complete absence of magic, making them predictable.

Tzeentch

• Description: The Changer of Ways, Tzeentch, favors sorcery and deception, with a strong emphasis on powerful magic and manipulation.
• Advantages: Superior magical abilities and excellent ranged attack options.
• Disadvantages: Physically weaker units that require careful strategic management to protect.

Nurgle

• Description: Nurgle, the Plague Lord, revels in decay and resilience, fielding rotting, pestilence-bearing warriors.
• Advantages: Units have high endurance and can regenerate health, making them tough to bring down.
• Disadvantages: Generally slower movement and lower damage output.

Slaanesh

• Description: The God of Excess, Slaanesh, focuses on speed and overwhelming sensory attacks.
• Advantages: Fastest units in the game, excelling in quick strikes and retreat tactics.
• Disadvantages: Fragile units that can suffer heavy losses if caught.

Daemons of Chaos

• Description: A diverse and versatile faction that combines elements of all Chaos gods.
• Advantages: Flexible strategies with a mix of units from all Chaos factions.
• Disadvantages: Jack-of-all-trades nature can sometimes lack the specialized strengths of other factions.

Grand Cathay

• Description: A new addition, Grand Cathay, offers a balanced mix of magic, technology, and powerful dragon units.
• Advantages: Strong defensive structures and potent artillery.
• Disadvantages: Complex technology and magic systems require strategic acumen and planning.

Conclusion

Total War: Warhammer III is an ambitious culmination of the series, offering both fans and newcomers a deep, engaging strategy experience. Each race’s unique playstyle and narrative offer tremendous replay value and strategic depth, ensuring that every campaign offers new challenges and strategies to explore. Whether you’re leading the disciplined armies of the realm or unleashing the chaotic fury of the Chaos gods, Warhammer III promises countless hours of immersive gameplay.