As someone who has spent an embarrassing amount of time staring at virtual maps, I must admit that my geography skills are severely lacking. However, despite my directional challenges, I have always found enjoyment in strategy games like Total War. The latest expansion for Total War: Pharaoh’s is set to introduce a new map area that is distinctly Mesopotamia and Aegea-shaped. This expansion comes as part of a larger rework of the game’s campaign experience, bringing with it 80 new units across four new factions and tweaks to 70 reworked units for the newly added Mycenae and Troy factions.
The press release for the expansion promises further improvements to the strategic campaign layer, including the introduction of the Dynasty system which adds elements of mortality and succession to faction leaders. This new system aims to allow players to create legacies that will stand the test of time. Additionally, over 80 new units will be added for the Mesopotamian factions, while over 70 reworked units will be included for the Mycenae and Troy factions.
Speculated ‘Immortal Empires’
The expansion for Total War: Pharaoh’s is reminiscent of the speculated ‘Immortal Empires’ concept seen in the Total War: Warhammer series. This combined game megamap approach makes sense, especially considering the wealth of content available. It only makes sense to utilize existing assets and enhance them with new additions. Interestingly, the developers have dropped the ‘Saga’ branding for Pharaoh’s, a move that initially faced criticism due to the perceived smaller scale of the game. However, this update is being offered completely free of charge, continuing the redemption of the Total War franchise.
Personally, I have always respected Total War games, including Pharaoh’s, even if I didn’t necessarily enjoy playing them as much as others. There is a sense that the game could have benefited from additional development time, allowing for further polish and refinement. It’s important to acknowledge the dedication and effort that goes into creating these expansive strategy games, despite any shortcomings they may have.
Reflection and Appreciation
Looking back, I can’t help but think about my high school geography teacher, who had a resemblance to Jesus mixed with the Jeepers Creepers monster. My classmates and I used to jokingly refer to him as ‘Jesus Creepers’ instead of paying attention in class. In hindsight, I realize the value of geography and maps, wishing I had embraced them more during my formative years. The expansion of Total War: Pharaoh’s serves as a reminder of the vast worlds waiting to be explored, even within the confines of a virtual game.
The expansion of Total War: Pharaoh’s campaign experience brings exciting new features and improvements that are sure to enhance the overall gameplay experience. Despite my personal shortcomings in geography, I can appreciate the depth and complexity of strategy games like Total War. As the game continues to evolve and grow, it serves as a testament to the dedication and creativity of the developers behind it. Maps are indeed rad, and I regret not paying more attention to them earlier.
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