The flexibility of the barter system, which replaces money with other resources like wood, stone, and bronze, is great in theory especially with the stronger infantry requiring relatively scarce bronze to train and upkeep, I can see what the designers were going for. In Troy’s economy it’s possible to be producing enough food by Turn 50 to easily trade for whatever else you need. And you can’t have it when you inevitably come back next turn, either. No, Lycomedes, you can’t have 250 bronze for free. It’s an issue that used to crop up in older Total War games, but I had thought we were past it by now. While the convenient Quick Deal feature from Three Kingdoms makes a return, foreign leaders make a nuisance of themselves by spamming requests for absurdly lopsided trade deals, or constantly asking for free gifts of resources while offering nothing in return. Interacting with other leaders is often not as pleasant, though. Most historical strategy games act like nothing before Alexander the Great is even worth mentioning, so the novelty of a Bronze Age setting is refreshing and effective. And on the ground, when battle is joined, period-accurate mud brick houses and simplistic farms remind you just how far back in time we’ve travelled. ![]() Everything about this world and this interface radiates personality. Sailing into this unknown causes the edges to visually burn away in a fantastic, subtle effect. Undiscovered areas are covered in a beautiful weathered texture like baked clay, with ancient writing floating across the surface forebodingly. From the lush, hilly valleys of the Peloponnese to the rocky, rugged islands of the Cyclades scattered across the wine-dark sea, every corner is a joy to explore. The map, as I mentioned, is absolutely stunning.The map, as I mentioned, is absolutely stunning. There are also some special, discoverable objectives with unique rewards, like becoming Anax – basically a tribal king – of one of the map’s several geographic areas. Sometimes answering Agamemnon’s call to war can be a bit more trouble than it’s worth. This is a great nod to the source material, and helps further differentiate each campaign – and it’s great that it doesn’t get in the way if you want to pursue a more traditional Total War victory instead. These heroes also have their own dramatic, story-based win conditions called Homeric Victories that walk them through some of the highlights of their role in the Iliad, such as Menelaus having to reclaim Helen and Hector having to make sure the city of Troy does not fall. ![]() Each leader I played felt distinct and interesting, in terms of goals, campaign abilities, and fighting style. The tough, tanky spearmen in his roster play great with defensive terrain and holding cities against assault. As Hector, you have to constantly compete for your dear father’s affection with your annoying kid brother who got us into this mess in the first place, in hopes of eventually inheriting the city of Troy. As Achilles, you have the invigorating task of defending your title as the undisputed heavyweight champion of the Aegean, with a roster of aggressive, mobile melee units to back you up. There are some cracks in this ornate amphora, particularly when it comes to AI, but unlike the previous Saga game it’s not a black sheep of the Total War family.Ĭreative Assembly has been getting better and better at faction design with almost every game and DLC pack it’s released in the last few years, and Troy’s playable campaign factions are no exception. And this personality seeps over into a fairly satisfying campaign as well. The color palette is perfect for making me feel as though I’ve been transported to the Bronze Age world. ![]() The battle resolution animation shows the opposing generals fighting theatrically under a heavenly spotlight. ![]() The world is ringed by surreal, soaring mountains that suggest ancient Greek pottery. The first thing I noticed, as a long-time fan of this series, is that A Total War Saga: Troy is extremely and unabashedly stylish.
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