Napoleon: Total War is a computer game from the renowned British studio The Creative Assembly, released in early 2010. It is the next project in the series following Empire: Total War, combining both tactical and strategic modes.
The sixth game in the Total War universe invites players to partake in extensive battles of the Napoleonic Wars. Compared to Empire: Total War, the global map has been significantly reduced – nearly by half. In Napoleon: Total War, there are no territories of India, North America, or South America, which is understandable – although Napoleon was a great military leader, he did not manage to conquer the entire world. The game is closely tied to the personality of Bonaparte, so players have to make do with the regions where the "warrior dwarf" fought and showcased the might of French arms. However, the gameplay has not suffered significantly from this.
One could say that the game is divided into two full-fledged parts. The first part is a chain of various time periods where players can witness both the rise of Napoleon and his attainment of the highest power, followed by a horrifying downfall. In the tutorial campaign (1778-1793), players must learn to manage Bonaparte's economy and barefoot army, after which they will besiege and capture the fortress of Toulon. In the second campaign, taking place from 1796 to 1797, players need to seize the northern territories of Italy while driving Austrian forces out. The Egyptian campaign begins in 1798 and ends in 1800 (notably during this time, the famous Sphinx had its nose shot off). Napoleon’s army must capture power in the region under challenging conditions, fending off attacks from Berbers, the Arab population, and the Ottoman Empire, which claims influence over the Middle East.
Following this, the European campaign (1805-1812) begins, in which Napoleon Bonaparte must seize Prussia, conquer Austria, crush small German principalities, and enslave the vast Russian Empire. As history lessons remind us, Napoleon shamefully fled from the lands he had ravaged, leaving behind captured Moscow. Nevertheless, players can alter history and achieve what the Emperor of France could not.
The final chapter in Napoleon's story could be written in the Battle of Waterloo, which historically occurred on May 18, 1815. Interestingly, during this period, there is no strategic map; only the battle itself exists. As with the European campaign, players can change history and defeat enemy forces, thereby giving Bonaparte hope for a successful campaign outcome.
Additionally, Napoleon: Total War features a dozen of the most famous battles involving Napoleonic armies – from the Battle of Lodi to the Battle of Borodino. Players can also partake in naval battles, for example, at the Battle of Trafalgar.
What changes can we note in the sixth game of the Total War series? In reality, there aren't many. The reduced strategic map resulted in only small trading outposts remaining from the former territories, reachable only by ships. The turn system was redesigned – now one turn represented only two weeks instead of six months. The role of generals was increased, and some historical figures (Napoleon, for example) could no longer die in battle. Additionally, the option to invite external players to participate in battles on the strategic map was added.