Total War: Warhammer III unleashes Chaos! Here’s everything we know.
Experience the epic third installment to the Warhammer trilogy this Thursday!
What is it about fantasy worlds that captures our imagination so wholly? Historically speaking, the idea of mythological worlds, beings with magical powers, destructive Gods and world-ending events predate most written languages. We learn about them in school. Gilgamish, main character of the first ever recorded fantasy tale about a larger-than-life Mesopotamian king, fought a heavenly bull and attempted to cheat death. Egyptian, Greek, Aztec and Roman myths speak of mad, jealous and chopped up gods, fantastical underworlds, powerful beasts and strive to explain the wonders of nature though their stories.
The Dark Ages brought the additions of witches, spells and nightmarish beings waiting to kill the uneducated, superstitious masses. We saw the birth of fairy tales which expounded upon those beliefs as cautionary warnings. Hansel and Gretel kept children from wondering off into the woods. Red Riding Hood cautioned “attractive, well bred young ladies” the dangers of “gentle wolves.”
Modern fantasy lives on in games
Modern day storytelling has certainly continued with an even deeper fascination with all things fantasy. J. R. R. Tolkien gave us a breathtaking world full of elves, hobbits, dwarves and evils beyond imagination. C.S. Lewis opened a wardrobe into a magical ice ridden realm. We met centaurs, dark creatures, and Aslan. Dungeons and Dragons, one of the oldest modern interpretations of a fantasy world, took the world by a storm with just a pen and paper. And many of us were introduced to such places during our youth.
So is it any wonder that video games have also opened our eyes to amazing places, where we get to play as those mythical beings? The Elder Scrolls, DnD and so many others allow us to freedom to roam unbound by reality. Enter Total War: Warhammer III, the newest title in the fantasy world series from Creative Assembly and SEGA.
As the clock winds down, let’s look at what we know and can expect from the final epic title in the Total War: Warhammer trilogy.
History of a historical franchise
Total War: Warhammer III is part of the Total War series, one with a long and illustrious history. Beginning in 2000 with Shogun: Total War, each game in the franchise is set in a different historical time. Shogun is set in feudal Japan and covered the “Warring States” period from the 15th to the early 17th centuries. The Mongol Invasion expansion pack added a playable version of those historical events, but was only released in Europe.
Medieval: Total War came next in 2002 and included the Viking Invasion of Europe and Britannia. Total War: Rome followed in 2004, Medieval II in 2006, and just like that the franchise took off. Each game added expansion packs, giving players the opportunity to move throughout the centuries. Much like another immersive series, Sid Meier’s Civilization, the rise and fall of empires rest upon the nimble fingers and decisions of each player’s whim.
The Total War series is still going strong, with the newest title – Total War Saga: Troy, set during the Bronze Age, released on August 13, 2020, and is still receiving new content. In fact, a new update was applied on December 14.
Bringing the Warhammer down
In 2016, Creative Assembly and SEGA developed a spin-off series in a fantasy world devoid of the typical historical setting. Total War: Warhammer opened the gates to fantasy factions very reminiscent of Middle-Earth and Narnia. Dwarves, Vampires and Elves roamed around settings like the Empire, Sylvania and the Old World, in an attempt to drive away the evil Chaos and those it controls. An expanded limited edition Total War: Warhammer: Dark Gods Edition was released in 2018 and added Warriors of Chaos, Bretonnia and Nosrca to the roster. It also received another Limited Edition release in 2020, this time with Beastmen as part of the content.
Total War: Warhammer II came out in 2017 and continued the storyline, factions and playstyle. It allowed players who had Warhammer I to access the sandbox campaign Mortal Empires. Just like Warhammer I, the second outing had four main races, with others added through DLCs. In May 2016, mods and Steam Workshop features were enabled for Warhammer I, allowing players to create their own content for the games. This trend has continued with each title, including Warhammer III.
Chaos Gods will eat your souls
So, what can we expect from the last Warhammer game? Well, it seems Creative Assembly is keeping most of the details close to the armor. We can expect Warhammer III to follow in the footsteps of the previous two titles, including turned based strategy play.
Players will choose a faction: human civilizations Kislev and Grand Cathay, and four new factions based on the Chaos Gods. These Gods- Khorne, Tzeentch, Nurgle, Slaanesh first appeared in Warhammer 40,000, reportedly the most popular miniature wargame in the world. Each God represents multiple things, from emotions and actions to various objects. For example, Nurgle is the God of decay, despair, disease, joy compassion, life and death, among other things. Leading his factions is Ku’gath the Plaguefather, who moves around spreading disease and death across the battle field. Players controlling him, have explosive Nurglings across the battlefield.
The Gods’ followers are imbued with powers in combat that tie directly into their representative aspects. Nurgle’s followers draw their power from disease, using their illnesses as a way to energize and bless their tech. We don’t know what powers players will have, yet. However, released trailers have shown some truly awesome battle scenarios.
Prince of Daemons is yours to command
Recently introduced, Warhammer III now has it’s very own Daemon Prince. A Legendary Lord, the Daemon Prince is “a nightmare made flesh, driven by a mercilessness need for vengeance.” He commands Daemon armies with access to all of the factions. He is fully customizable, allowing players to name him, and equip him with hundreds of items that change his stats and appearance. Billions of combinations are possible. Create your ultimate tank, damage dealer or spell caster while striking fear in the hearts of you opponents.
Those who pre-order or purchase Warhammer III in the first week of release will also have access to the Ogre Kingdoms. If you own either of the previous titles, there is an extra goody coming. The DLC addition Blood for the Blood God pack will be available soon after launch.
The secrets of battle- Survive
There isn’t much known yet about the story. Game director Ian Roxburgh said the story takes place within the Realm of Chaos, where Gods are locked in battle against each other. Additionally, the campaign map will be “twice the size” of the Eye of the Vortex from Total War: Warhammer II, and “no two campaigns are ever the same.”
Like its predecessors, Warhammer III will require players to engage in diplomacy and battle against AI controlled factions. Battles will take place in real-time. Teased in Warhammer III’s official blog, not only will we have solo and multiplayer modes, but it will also include the newly introduced Survival Battles. These battles will take place on the home turf of the Chaos strongholds. Grab your best and brightest and pray you survive the hordes of monstrous enemies trying to overwhelm you. A new supplies system will grant players materials to build barricades, replenish health and ammo and upgrade army stats.
Battle mechanics have gone through a lot of minor system and quality of life improvements to make the game smoother and more responsive. The autoresolve has also had an overhaul so “that the game will now tell you the predicted [outcome of a battle] and which units will be loss.”
Team up for more chaos
There are three unique campaign modes, encouraging team-ups with 3 to 8 players depending on the scenario. In addition to the Realm of Chaos mentioned above, Darkness and Disharmony is a free-for-all sandbox focusing on the Daemon invasion of Grand Cathay. Fight for control over key settlements to drive back the forces of darkness.
Something Rotten in Kislev is a three-player co-operative campaign designed to be completed in a single session.
In multiplayer, players who have the previous two games will have the unlocked factions available to them in Warhammer III. However, this only applies to multiplayer maps. A new transfer system will allow players to transfer control of their factions to their teammates should they experience a disconnect during a battle. Seriously, all online games should come with that option.
In addition, other modes like Survival Battles, Domination Battles, a brand-new multiplayer battle mode, Minor Settlement Battles and Storm of Chaos are included. It sounds like there will be plenty of fantasy worlds to experience and dominate.
Release the Realms of Chaos
In keeping with the entire Total War franchise, Total War: Warhammer III is coming out for PC only. It will be available through Steam, the Epic Games Store and the Microsoft Store. Announced in November, Game Pass subscribers will have access to the game for free on day one too, with macOS and Linux to follow soon after. Physical copies stocked at most GameStop and other game stores. Cross-play between all platforms will have online support day one.
Two physical special additions will be available on release day. Day One Edition comes with a double-sided poster featuring the campaign map, cover art, Chaos icon stickers and the Ogre Kingdom race pack. The Limited Edition includes everything from the Day One Edition, in a gleaming embossed metal case. There will not be a physical collector’s edition due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact it has had on suppliers.
Despite its delays, Total War: Warhammer III hits digital and physical store shelves this Thursday, February 17, 2022. Pre-orders can begin downloading tomorrow on February 15. With a massive 120 GB file size, players should take advantage of prelaunch loading. Developers have also said there will be a patch close to launch. For players who have any issues pre-loading, there’s a handy guide provided on the official website.
As with any fantasy, there is a constant influx of magical changes. So, we can expect that the wizards creating the Realms of Chaos will have more spells to brew up. In the meantime, catch up, refresh and prepare your strategies.
Pre-order: Retail value- $59.99 USD
