‘Total War: Warhammer,’ impressive fantasy war simulation

Positive messages: 0 out of 5

Positive role models: 0 out of 5

Ease of play: 2 out of 5

Violence: 4 out of 5

Sex: 0 out of 5

Language: 1 out of 5

Drinking, drugs, and smoking: 0 out of 5

Consumerism: 4 out of 5 (Are products/advertisements embedded? Is the title part of a broader marketing initiative/empire? Is the intent to sell things to kids?)

GAME DETAILS

Platforms: Mac, Windows

Price: $59.99

Developer: Sega of America

Release date: May 24, 2016

Genre: Strategy

ESRB rating: T for mild blood, mild language, violence

Parents need to know that “Total War: Warhammer” is a war strategy game that combines the “Total War” video game series with the fantasy of Games Workshop’s popular ”Warhammer” franchise. The game is a complex mix of real-time and turn-based strategy, with players ordering large numbers of troops into combat in various environments. The different factions fight against each other using a variety of medieval and fantasy weapons, including swords, spears, cannons, steam-driven tanks, magic spells, and even dragons. Despite the scope of the game, players can zoom in to the battlefield to watch the brutal fights take place, up close and personal. Although the warring factions may insult each other with various dialogue pieces, it’s the game’s in-game chat with other online players that runs the biggest risk of opening up younger players to offensive language.

WHAT’S IT ABOUT?

For the past 13 years, Creative Assembly has been one of the go-to sources for epic-scale military strategy, thanks to its successful “Total War” video game series. Meanwhile, for more than three decades, Games Workshop has brought its own epic-scale fantasy wars to tabletops with its popular “Warhammer” franchise. Now, like peanut butter and chocolate, the two powerhouses have joined forces in “Total War: Warhammer,” which combines the real-time and turn-based military strategy gaming experience with an epic fantasy setting. Orcs and goblins ride into battle against dwarves and humans, while vampires and other evil forces lurk in the shadows. Facing off against troops armed with everything from swords and spears to steam tanks and dragons, as well as more than a little magic and even the undead thrown in for good measure, you’ll need to keep a cool head, survey the battlefield, and find the chink in your opponents’ armor to drive them back to where they came from.

IS IT ANY GOOD?

Let’s get one thing straight: This is one of the most impressive strategy games around, but it’s also frustrating, brain taxing, and exhaustive with a high level of complexity. That being said, it’s also one of those games that rewards patience and gives you a real sense of accomplishment when you score a victory. You’ll never feel like you or your opponent lucked your way through a battle. Instead, whether you win or lose, it’s all because of your quick thinking, your skill, and, most likely, the hours you spent learning all the nuances of battle.

The actual battles are just where everything you’ve done before comes together. It can be a slow, plodding process, but if you have the motivation to stick with it and the patience to learn, there’s a surprising amount of content to enjoy.

———

Common Sense Media is an independent nonprofit organization offering unbiased ratings and trusted advice to help families make smart media and technology choices. Check out our ratings and recommendations at www.commonsense.org.