Empire: Total War vs Total War: Rome II
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, ratings, and alternatives.
Empire: Total War transports players to the 18th century, letting them manage nations, conduct diplomacy, and expand colonies in a deep turn‑based campaign. When armies clash, the game shifts to massive real‑time battles where tactics and unit composition decide victory.
Total War: Rome II immerses players in the ancient world, blending deep turn‑based empire management with cinematic real‑time battles. Command armies, forge alliances, and shape the destiny of the Roman Republic through military, economic, and political strategies. The game challenges you to balance internal politics, external threats, and the ambitions of your generals, offering a rich historical experience that rewards both tactical prowess and diplomatic cunning.
- Deep strategic depth
- Stunning real‑time battle visuals
- Extensive modding community
- Rich historical detail
- Deep strategic depth across turn‑based and real‑time layers
- Rich historical detail and authentic unit models
- Robust multiplayer and co‑op options
- Extensive modding community
- Steep learning curve for newcomers
- Long campaign sessions can be time‑intensive
- Occasional AI pathfinding issues
- Steep learning curve for new players
- Occasional performance issues in large battles
- AI can be inconsistent in diplomatic negotiations
More alternatives & similar tools
Alternatives to Empire: Total War
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Alternatives to Total War: Rome II
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Conquer the world in a seamless blend of turn-based empire building and real-time battles
Build thriving cities and dominate rival settlements on a mysterious island
The Verdict
AI-generated from listing dataEmpire: Total War offers higher critical acclaim and broader combat scope, while Total War: Rome II provides deeper political and economic systems but with a steeper learning curve.
Key differences
- •Critic scores: Empire 90/100 vs Rome II 72/100.
- •Combat variety: Empire includes land, sea, and air units; Rome II focuses on land and limited naval.
- •Political depth: Rome II features internal Roman politics and detailed economic management; Empire lacks this layer.
- •Release era: Rome II (2013) has newer engine updates; Empire (2009) may feel dated but is more polished historically.
- •Modding focus: Both have strong communities, but Rome II’s mod scene is noted as especially extensive.
Gameplay & fun factor
Empire’s higher critic score (90) and broader unit types suggest more engaging overall gameplay.
Platform availability
Both are PC titles with no platform differences specified.
Price & value
Both priced at $59.99 with one‑time purchase.
Multiplayer / co‑op
Both support single‑player, multiplayer, and co‑op modes.
Content & replayability
Rome II adds internal politics and deep economic systems, increasing strategic variety.
Difficulty & accessibility
Both have steep learning curves, but Empire’s higher critic score indicates better overall balance.
Graphics & performance
Rome II (2013) benefits from newer engine, though large battles may cause occasional performance issues.
Choose Empire: Total War if…
Players seeking higher polish, broader combat (land/sea/air) and stronger critical reception.
Choose Total War: Rome II if…
Players who want deep political/economic simulation and don’t mind a learning curve.
Common questions
Is there a price difference between the two games?
No, both are priced at $59.99 as a one‑time purchase.
Which game has better overall reviews?
Empire: Total War has a higher critic score (90/100) compared to Rome II's 72/100.
Do both games support multiplayer and co‑op?
Yes, each offers single‑player, multiplayer, and cooperative modes.