Difference between revisions of "Total War: Pharaoh"
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:''"In Total War: PHARAOH, the newest entry in the award-winning grand strategy series, immerse yourself in ancient Egypt at the zenith of its power and experience the dramatic events that threaten its destruction. With dynamic real-time battles and incredible turn-based empire management, can you rise above your adversaries to become Egypt’s last great Pharaoh and stand against the collapse of an iconic civilisation?"'' | :''"In Total War: PHARAOH, the newest entry in the award-winning grand strategy series, immerse yourself in ancient Egypt at the zenith of its power and experience the dramatic events that threaten its destruction. With dynamic real-time battles and incredible turn-based empire management, can you rise above your adversaries to become Egypt’s last great Pharaoh and stand against the collapse of an iconic civilisation?"'' | ||
| − | When it was released, the game took a more narrow approach to the campaign than some previous games, | + | When it was released, the game took a more narrow approach to the campaign than some previous games. Initially, the scale of the map was smaller than most mainline titles and players experienced with Troy report similar aspects, from interface design to the overall feel of the game, however unlike its immediate historical predecessors it moves away from mythology and goes back to a more strictly historically authentic design. |
| − | Factions are based around characters rather than fully organized states, with each faction vying for political and military influence. The player can seek political office in | + | Factions are based around characters rather than fully organized states, with each faction vying for political and military influence. The player can seek political office in royal courts, or turn your back on the politics of the court and forge your own path. As in Troy, there are five tradeable resources (food, wood, stone, bronze and gold). Some players said that it was challenging to have enough resources, for example [https://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?818974-It-s-out!&p=16154978&viewfull=1#post16154978 Siblesz wrote] "I keep running into a problem ... the economics of this game really frustrate me. No matter what I do, eventually after some time I keep running into the problem of having deficiency in resources, especially in food." New players may be interested in a [https://wiki.twcenter.net/index.php?title=Total_War:_Pharaoh_Managing_Resources guide to managing resources]. |
Pharaoh launched with both praise and criticism, beginning with mixed reviews corresponding to other controversies with Creative Assembly in 2023. Critics said that the game lacked innovation and povided underwhelming content for a full price flagship entry to the series. Fans highlight its decently polished campaign despite the smaller scale and some of its immersive battle features. | Pharaoh launched with both praise and criticism, beginning with mixed reviews corresponding to other controversies with Creative Assembly in 2023. Critics said that the game lacked innovation and povided underwhelming content for a full price flagship entry to the series. Fans highlight its decently polished campaign despite the smaller scale and some of its immersive battle features. | ||
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==General Information== | ==General Information== | ||
===Campaign Map and Mechanics=== | ===Campaign Map and Mechanics=== | ||
| − | When the game was released, Total War: Pharaoh's campaign map | + | When the game was released, Total War: Pharaoh's campaign map covered Egypt, Canaan and Anatolia. The free Dynasties update added the Aegean, more of Anatolia and Mesopotamia. |
| − | + | During the campaign, various challenges are added, including an increase in natural disasters, [https://wiki.twcenter.net/index.php?title=Total_War:_Pharaoh_Civil_Wars civil wars], the arrival of [https://wiki.twcenter.net/index.php?title=Total_War:_Pharaoh_Sea_Peoples_invasions Sea Peoples invasions], and other challenges particularly affecting public order to simulate the late Bronze Age collapse. The campaign start is quite customizable with the player able to affect starting positions, the conditions of natural disasters, and resource distribution - a more granular way to set up campaign difficulty than older titles. The player can acquire a title in a [https://wiki.twcenter.net/index.php?title=Total_War:_Pharaoh_Royal_Courts royal court], or forge your own path - so you don't have to participate in the royal court system. | |
===Battle Mechanics=== | ===Battle Mechanics=== | ||
| − | Pharaoh brings new combat mechanics to the game including: dynamic weather with consequential effect on the battlefield (such as thunderstorms and sandstorms), indication of degrading armor | + | Pharaoh brings new combat mechanics to the game including: dynamic weather with consequential effect on the battlefield (such as thunderstorms and sandstorms), indication of degrading armor in combat, spreading fire if one is set on the battlefield, and unit stances to change how units behave when commanded to move. For example, units in a stance to fall back will move backwards without exposing their front to attack. New players often find battles challenging at first, so you may be interested in tips on [https://wiki.twcenter.net/index.php?title=Total_War:_Pharaoh_How_to_win_battles how to win battles in Total War: Pharaoh]. |
===Dynasties Mechanics=== | ===Dynasties Mechanics=== | ||
The free Dynasties update added features and mechanics: | The free Dynasties update added features and mechanics: | ||
* Campaign customisation now allows the player to choose between 1, 3, 6 and 12 turns per year, in the campaign customisation menu. | * Campaign customisation now allows the player to choose between 1, 3, 6 and 12 turns per year, in the campaign customisation menu. | ||
| − | * Dynasty system - a family tree, | + | * Dynasty system - a family tree, new diplomacy mechanics such as political marriages. |
| − | * Revised line of sight system: elevation improves visibilty, while forests, buildings and other obstacles reduce it more, | + | * Faction leaders are now mortal in Pharaoh Dynasties campaigns (they can only be wounded in the original Pharaoh campaign). |
| + | * Revised line of sight system: elevation improves visibilty, while forests, buildings and other obstacles reduce it more, and scouts can see enemies at a longer distance. | ||
* Lethality mechanic, a chance for a hit to kill the target, which varies according to the quality of the attacking unit and the weapon used). | * Lethality mechanic, a chance for a hit to kill the target, which varies according to the quality of the attacking unit and the weapon used). | ||
| − | * The | + | * The player can now manually switch archers between direct and indirect fire. |
| − | * An administrative burden system | + | * An administrative burden system: unit upkeep becomes more expensive as your empire expands. |
* Armies of invading marauders can now conquer territory and use diplomacy. | * Armies of invading marauders can now conquer territory and use diplomacy. | ||
===Playable Factions=== | ===Playable Factions=== | ||
| − | At launch, the player could choose from eight leaders who represented the three power factions of the time period. After the free High Tide update in January 2024, players could also play two Sea Peoples factions, the Sherden and the Peleset, so Total War: Pharaoh four playable cultures and 10 playable factions. | + | At launch, the player could choose from eight leaders who represented the three power factions of the time period. After the free High Tide update in January 2024, players could also play two Sea Peoples factions, the Sherden and the Peleset, so Total War: Pharaoh had four playable cultures and 10 playable factions. |
There are also many non-playable cultures (in March 2024, Welsh Dragon listed these as including Habiru, Isuwu, Kaskians, Libu, Luwians, Nubian Kushites, Philistines, Phrygians, Shasu and Syrians). The player can recruit native units which include warriors from some of these cultures, when you are in regions where these cultures are found. | There are also many non-playable cultures (in March 2024, Welsh Dragon listed these as including Habiru, Isuwu, Kaskians, Libu, Luwians, Nubian Kushites, Philistines, Phrygians, Shasu and Syrians). The player can recruit native units which include warriors from some of these cultures, when you are in regions where these cultures are found. | ||
| Line 72: | Line 73: | ||
===Playable Factions added by the Dynasties update=== | ===Playable Factions added by the Dynasties update=== | ||
| − | Following the free Dynasties update in July 2024, players can play either Total War: Pharaoh (with the 10 factions listed above), or Total War: Pharaoh Dynasties. On Steam, they are effectively separate games (you do not need to have Pharaoh installed to play Pharaoh Dynasties). Pharaoh Dynasties includes the 10 factions listed above, plus four more major factions ( | + | Following the free Dynasties update in July 2024, players can play either Total War: Pharaoh (with the 10 factions listed above), or Total War: Pharaoh Dynasties. On Steam, they are effectively separate games (you do not need to have Pharaoh installed to play Pharaoh Dynasties). Pharaoh Dynasties includes the 10 factions listed above, plus four more major factions (Mycenaean Greece, Troy, Assyria and Babylon), and 25 minor factions - 39 factions in total, all playable with the base game. |
'''Mesopotamia''' | '''Mesopotamia''' | ||
| Line 79: | Line 80: | ||
'''The Aegean''' | '''The Aegean''' | ||
| − | * Mycenae, led by Agamemnon | + | * [https://wiki.twcenter.net/index.php?title=Total_War:_Pharaoh_Mycenae Mycenae], led by Agamemnon |
| − | * Troy, led by Priam | + | * [https://wiki.twcenter.net/index.php?title=Total_War:_Pharaoh_Troy Troy], led by Priam |
'''Minor Factions in the Aegean''' | '''Minor Factions in the Aegean''' | ||
| − | * Aeolia (Achaeans) | + | * Aeolia (Achaeans), led by Achilles |
| − | * Boeotians (Achaeans) | + | * Boeotians (Achaeans), led by Ajax |
| − | * Ithaca (Achaeans) | + | * [https://wiki.twcenter.net/index.php?title=Total_War:_Pharaoh_Ithaca Ithaca] (Achaeans), led by Odysseus |
| − | * | + | * Lycia (Pelasgians), led by Sarpedon |
| − | * Thrace (Thracians) | + | * Thrace (Thracians), led by Rhesus |
'''Minor Factions in Anatolia''' | '''Minor Factions in Anatolia''' | ||
| Line 116: | Line 117: | ||
* Shutrukid (Elamites) | * Shutrukid (Elamites) | ||
* Sutu (Settled Canaanites) | * Sutu (Settled Canaanites) | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Frequently Asked Questions== | ||
| + | |||
| + | * [https://wiki.twcenter.net/index.php?title=Total_War:_Pharaoh_Managing_Resources How do I get enough food?] | ||
| + | * [https://wiki.twcenter.net/index.php?title=Total_War:_Pharaoh_Civil_Wars How do I start (or avoid) a civil war?] | ||
| + | * [https://wiki.twcenter.net/index.php?title=Total_War:_Pharaoh_Royal_Courts How do I get a position in a royal court?] | ||
| + | * [https://wiki.twcenter.net/index.php?title=Total_War:_Pharaoh_Sea_Peoples_invasions How do the Sea Peoples invasions work?] | ||
| + | * [https://wiki.twcenter.net/index.php?title=Total_War:_Pharaoh_How_to_win_battles How do I win battles?] | ||
==Reviews and Media== | ==Reviews and Media== | ||
| − | Pharaoh has received generally positive critical reviews, but has also been the source of substantial controversy which may be considered a turning point for how Creative Assembly develops its titles. It has received praise for its execution of the grand campaign and some | + | Pharaoh has received generally positive critical reviews, but has also been the source of substantial controversy which may be considered a turning point for how Creative Assembly develops its titles. It has received praise for its execution of the grand campaign and some interesting mechanics, but also criticism for a limited scope, innovation and the initially high price for what many found to be a Saga-level of content. After the launch Creative Assembly reduced the price and arranged partial refunds for original purchasers, they also announced that the first DLC would be issued as a free update. |
Surrounding its launch has been community criticism of Creative Assembly's handling of their games, and heavy turbulence in the studio including the cancellation of an unrelated high-budget project and heavy layoffs. | Surrounding its launch has been community criticism of Creative Assembly's handling of their games, and heavy turbulence in the studio including the cancellation of an unrelated high-budget project and heavy layoffs. | ||
Latest revision as of 08:08, 10 August 2024
Welcome to Total War: Pharaoh on the TWC Wiki
Released in October 2023, this title focuses on the turbulent days of ancient Egypt, set in the late bronze age much like the thematically similar Total War Saga: Troy.
Contents
Overview
Total War: Pharaoh is described on Steam:
- "In Total War: PHARAOH, the newest entry in the award-winning grand strategy series, immerse yourself in ancient Egypt at the zenith of its power and experience the dramatic events that threaten its destruction. With dynamic real-time battles and incredible turn-based empire management, can you rise above your adversaries to become Egypt’s last great Pharaoh and stand against the collapse of an iconic civilisation?"
When it was released, the game took a more narrow approach to the campaign than some previous games. Initially, the scale of the map was smaller than most mainline titles and players experienced with Troy report similar aspects, from interface design to the overall feel of the game, however unlike its immediate historical predecessors it moves away from mythology and goes back to a more strictly historically authentic design.
Factions are based around characters rather than fully organized states, with each faction vying for political and military influence. The player can seek political office in royal courts, or turn your back on the politics of the court and forge your own path. As in Troy, there are five tradeable resources (food, wood, stone, bronze and gold). Some players said that it was challenging to have enough resources, for example Siblesz wrote "I keep running into a problem ... the economics of this game really frustrate me. No matter what I do, eventually after some time I keep running into the problem of having deficiency in resources, especially in food." New players may be interested in a guide to managing resources.
Pharaoh launched with both praise and criticism, beginning with mixed reviews corresponding to other controversies with Creative Assembly in 2023. Critics said that the game lacked innovation and povided underwhelming content for a full price flagship entry to the series. Fans highlight its decently polished campaign despite the smaller scale and some of its immersive battle features.
General Information
Campaign Map and Mechanics
When the game was released, Total War: Pharaoh's campaign map covered Egypt, Canaan and Anatolia. The free Dynasties update added the Aegean, more of Anatolia and Mesopotamia.
During the campaign, various challenges are added, including an increase in natural disasters, civil wars, the arrival of Sea Peoples invasions, and other challenges particularly affecting public order to simulate the late Bronze Age collapse. The campaign start is quite customizable with the player able to affect starting positions, the conditions of natural disasters, and resource distribution - a more granular way to set up campaign difficulty than older titles. The player can acquire a title in a royal court, or forge your own path - so you don't have to participate in the royal court system.
Battle Mechanics
Pharaoh brings new combat mechanics to the game including: dynamic weather with consequential effect on the battlefield (such as thunderstorms and sandstorms), indication of degrading armor in combat, spreading fire if one is set on the battlefield, and unit stances to change how units behave when commanded to move. For example, units in a stance to fall back will move backwards without exposing their front to attack. New players often find battles challenging at first, so you may be interested in tips on how to win battles in Total War: Pharaoh.
Dynasties Mechanics
The free Dynasties update added features and mechanics:
- Campaign customisation now allows the player to choose between 1, 3, 6 and 12 turns per year, in the campaign customisation menu.
- Dynasty system - a family tree, new diplomacy mechanics such as political marriages.
- Faction leaders are now mortal in Pharaoh Dynasties campaigns (they can only be wounded in the original Pharaoh campaign).
- Revised line of sight system: elevation improves visibilty, while forests, buildings and other obstacles reduce it more, and scouts can see enemies at a longer distance.
- Lethality mechanic, a chance for a hit to kill the target, which varies according to the quality of the attacking unit and the weapon used).
- The player can now manually switch archers between direct and indirect fire.
- An administrative burden system: unit upkeep becomes more expensive as your empire expands.
- Armies of invading marauders can now conquer territory and use diplomacy.
Playable Factions
At launch, the player could choose from eight leaders who represented the three power factions of the time period. After the free High Tide update in January 2024, players could also play two Sea Peoples factions, the Sherden and the Peleset, so Total War: Pharaoh had four playable cultures and 10 playable factions.
There are also many non-playable cultures (in March 2024, Welsh Dragon listed these as including Habiru, Isuwu, Kaskians, Libu, Luwians, Nubian Kushites, Philistines, Phrygians, Shasu and Syrians). The player can recruit native units which include warriors from some of these cultures, when you are in regions where these cultures are found.
Ancient Egypt
The Canaanites
Hittite Empire
Sea Peoples
Playable Factions added by the Dynasties update
Following the free Dynasties update in July 2024, players can play either Total War: Pharaoh (with the 10 factions listed above), or Total War: Pharaoh Dynasties. On Steam, they are effectively separate games (you do not need to have Pharaoh installed to play Pharaoh Dynasties). Pharaoh Dynasties includes the 10 factions listed above, plus four more major factions (Mycenaean Greece, Troy, Assyria and Babylon), and 25 minor factions - 39 factions in total, all playable with the base game.
Mesopotamia
- Hanigalbat (Assyrian kingdom), led by Ninurta-Apal-Ekur
- Babylon, led by Adad-Shuma-Usur
The Aegean
Minor Factions in the Aegean
- Aeolia (Achaeans), led by Achilles
- Boeotians (Achaeans), led by Ajax
- Ithaca (Achaeans), led by Odysseus
- Lycia (Pelasgians), led by Sarpedon
- Thrace (Thracians), led by Rhesus
Minor Factions in Anatolia
- Alashiya (Settled Canaanites)
- Carchemish (Hittites)
- Cimmeria (Urartu)
- Malidiya (Hittites)
- Sangarian Phrygia (Phrygians)
Minor Factions in Canaan
- Ashkelon (Settled Canaanites)
- Byblos (Settled Canaanites)
- Damascus (Settled Canaanites)
- Emar (Settled Canaanites)
- Ugarit (Settled Canaanites)
Minor Factions in Egypt
- Dungul (Libu Nomads)
- Merneptah (Egyptians)
- Meshwesh (Libu Nomads)
- Napata (Kushite)
- Setnakhte (Egyptians)
Minor Factions in Mesopotamia
- Assyria (Mesopotamians)
- Lullubi (Urartu)
- Shubru (Hittites)
- Shutrukid (Elamites)
- Sutu (Settled Canaanites)
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I get enough food?
- How do I start (or avoid) a civil war?
- How do I get a position in a royal court?
- How do the Sea Peoples invasions work?
- How do I win battles?
Reviews and Media
Pharaoh has received generally positive critical reviews, but has also been the source of substantial controversy which may be considered a turning point for how Creative Assembly develops its titles. It has received praise for its execution of the grand campaign and some interesting mechanics, but also criticism for a limited scope, innovation and the initially high price for what many found to be a Saga-level of content. After the launch Creative Assembly reduced the price and arranged partial refunds for original purchasers, they also announced that the first DLC would be issued as a free update.
Surrounding its launch has been community criticism of Creative Assembly's handling of their games, and heavy turbulence in the studio including the cancellation of an unrelated high-budget project and heavy layoffs.
Critic reviews:
System Requirements
As given through the Steam Store:
Minimum System Requirements:
- OS: Windows 10 64-Bit
- Processor: Intel i3-2100 / AMD FX-4300
- Memory: 6 GB RAM
- Graphics: Nvidia GeForce GTX 660 / AMD R9 270
- Storage: 50 GB available space for Total War: Pharaoh, or 80 GB for Total War: Pharaoh Dynasties
Recommended Requirements:
- OS: Windows 10 64-Bit
- Processor: Intel i5-6600/Ryzen 5 2600X
- Memory: 8 GB RAM
- Graphics: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 Ti / AMD RX 480
- Storage: 50 GB available space, or 80 GB for Total War: Pharaoh Dynasties
See also
