Omar Bennett
Total War is a series of strategy games that have been criticized for their poor diplomacy systems. Players have complained about the lack of diplomatic options, the uselessness of diplomacy, and the unpredictable behavior of AI factions. However, some games in the series, such as Medieval 2, Rome 1, Shogun 2, and Three Kingdoms, have been praised for their improved diplomatic features and more complex interactions. These games offer players more opportunities for alliance-building, treaty-making, and political maneuvering, enhancing the overall gameplay experience. Despite these improvements, some players still find the diplomacy in Total War games lacking compared to other strategy games, citing issues with AI decision-making and the overall design of the diplomacy systems.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Games with the best diplomacy | Shogun 2, Medieval 2, Warhammer 2, Three Kingdoms, Empire, Napoleon, Attila, Rome 1 and 2 |
| Games with poor diplomacy | Warhammer, Thrones of Britannia |
| Common issues with diplomacy | AI factions refuse to trade, AI factions declare war without reason, lack of transparency, AI factions would rather die than trade, AI prioritises military access |
| Suggested solutions | More diplomatic options, improved AI, limit expansionism, improved interface, ability to check faction attitudes |
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What You'll Learn
Shogun 2 has the best diplomatic options
Shogun 2 has been praised for its diplomatic options, which are considered to be the best in the Total War series. The game offers a wide range of diplomatic options, including trade agreements, alliances, and treaties. Players can also create vassals and manipulate relationships between clans to their advantage.
One of the key strengths of diplomacy in Shogun 2 is the clear link between investment and payoff. Players can invest in diplomatic options, such as trade agreements, and see tangible benefits in return. This is in contrast to other Total War games, where diplomacy is often criticised as being shallow and ineffective.
Additionally, the diplomatic AI in Shogun 2 is noted to be less aggressive and more reasonable than in other Total War games. Players can offer deals and treaties, and the AI will accept if it deems the offer favourable. This allows for more strategic gameplay, as players can focus on building alliances and maintaining relationships, rather than constantly fighting on multiple fronts.
Furthermore, Shogun 2's diplomacy is influenced by the player's actions and relationships with other clans. Players can use agents and armies to visit other clans and initiate diplomatic proposals. However, it is important to note that overly complex proposals may be rejected, and players must carefully manage their relationships to avoid the "realm divide" mechanic, which can lead to multiple clans declaring war.
While Three Kingdoms is also praised for its diplomatic depth, Shogun 2 stands out for offering a wide range of diplomatic options that enhance the gameplay experience and provide players with meaningful choices and strategies beyond simple expansionism.
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Medieval 2 has the most volatile diplomacy
While opinions vary on which Total War game has the best diplomacy mechanics, Medieval 2: Total War is notable for its volatile diplomacy. Diplomacy in Medieval 2 is governed by five key factors: Moral Law, Heaven, Earth, the Commander, and Method and Discipline. These factors, outlined in Sun Tzu's "The Art of War", influence the deals and agreements made between factions.
One notable aspect of Medieval 2's diplomacy is the importance of religion. Players can gain favour with the Pope by sending priests to non-Catholic territories or by gifting money. Controlling the Pope can be advantageous, as it allows players to call Crusades against their enemies. Additionally, marriages between factions can also be used as a diplomatic strategy, especially when arranged for heirs at a young age.
The Diplomat agent in Medieval 2 plays a crucial role in facilitating diplomatic deals with other factions. Their Influence skill determines the likelihood and terms of diplomatic agreements, such as selling map information. Skilled Diplomats can be utilised to gain advantages for their faction, such as buying off an enemy's vassal or selling food to an "ally" before cutting off trade during a war.
However, some players criticise the diplomacy in Medieval 2 and the Total War series in general. They argue that the AI lacks the sophistication to make diplomacy effective, and that the game incentivises expansionism over diplomatic alliances. This criticism highlights the challenges of implementing complex diplomatic systems in strategy games, where war and expansion are often the primary focus.
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Rome 1 has superior mechanics to newer titles
While the Total War franchise has evolved significantly over the years, introducing newer titles with enhanced graphics and expanded gameplay, Rome 1 continues to be revered by many fans for its superior mechanics and unique features. Here's an in-depth look at why some players consider Rome 1 to have better mechanics than its newer counterparts:
Simplicity and Fun Factor:
Rome 1 is praised for its simplicity and fun gameplay experience. The map is smaller, campaigns are shorter and more manageable, and the mechanics are subjective, catering to different playstyles. It offers a more leisurely approach compared to the complexity and seriousness of newer titles like Rome 2. This simplicity makes it a great entry point for newcomers to the franchise, providing an enjoyable and less daunting experience.
Battle Dynamics and Engine:
Rome 1 is renowned for its superior engine, particularly in melee and collision combat. The Warscape engine used in newer titles has been criticized for its unsatisfactory performance and lack of improvement despite updates. Rome 1's engine provides a more satisfying and weighty combat experience, with units feeling more substantial and less prone to clumping. Additionally, Rome 1 introduces elevation-based missile range calculations, adding a layer of strategic depth to battles.
City Building and Army Recruitment:
Rome 1 features a more realistic and simulation-like approach to city building and army recruitment. Players have the freedom to build essential structures like barracks, stables, temples, aqueducts, sewers, marketplaces, ports, and farms in their cities. In contrast, Rome 2 and newer titles introduce a system where players must choose which buildings to construct, limiting the number of available slots. This restriction can be less enjoyable for players who prefer the freedom to develop their cities as they see fit.
AI Behaviour:
Rome 2 introduced changes to the AI behaviour, making it more cautious and prone to making unintelligent decisions. This was likely done to accommodate new players, but it detracts from the challenge for experienced players. Rome 1's AI, especially with the More Aggressive AI mod, provides a more engaging and realistic experience, bringing it more in line with player expectations.
Decisive Battles:
Rome 1 is known for its dramatic and decisive battles, where a single victory could turn the tide of war. In contrast, newer titles like Warhammer introduce a constant stream of enemies, making the gameplay feel more like a grind. The lack of decisive battles in newer titles makes the gameplay less dynamic and reduces the sense of accomplishment from strategic victories.
While newer Total War titles offer improvements in certain aspects, Rome 1 retains a special place in the hearts of many players due to its unique mechanics, simplicity, and fun factor. It's important to note that preferences may vary among players, and newer titles also have their strengths, such as improved graphics, expanded factions, and mod support.
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3K has the most options
Total War: Three Kingdoms (3K) is widely regarded as the Total War game with the most developed diplomacy system. Creative Assembly, the developer of the game, claims that the diplomacy system is one of the biggest updates in the history of the series. The diplomacy system in 3K is said to be more realistic and intuitive, with a wider range of tools for players to engage in relationship building.
The diplomacy system in 3K is nearly overwhelming at first glance, but it is surprisingly intuitive. The player can switch to diplomacy view anytime when on the campaign map. The diplomacy menu presents players with basic categories such as 'War & Peace', 'Trade & Marriage', and 'Diplomatic Treaties'. The diplomatic actions available to the player depend on their faction leader's current court rank. For example, Cao Cao begins the game at the rank of noble and thus doesn't have access to roughly half of all diplomatic actions. However, his faction's unique diplomatic abilities let players talk people into fighting wars for them and manipulate the relationships between their opponents.
The negotiation system in 3K introduces a more granular level of negotiation. Diplomatic dealings now take the form of haggling, with more tradeable items, resources, and pacts in the player warlord's diplomatic arsenal than ever before. The player is less reliant on pure cash deals. When the player proposes a deal, they will get a positive or negative evaluation figure, indicating how much cost the other party attaches to it.
Another important aspect of 3K's diplomacy is watching coalitions form and dissolve. The new coalition option allows groups of factions to work together without making lots of individual deals, making it a neater system. It also opens the door to bigger wars earlier on. A 'quick deals' panel in the diplomacy menu makes it easy to see what factions are open to dealing with the player.
Overall, 3K's diplomacy system is much more robust and sprawling compared to other Total War games, with many options for players to engage in manipulative politics and achieve victory through diplomatic means.
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Warhammer 2 has a poor interface
While some Total War fans have praised the Warhammer 2 game's user interface (UI), others have criticized it for being inadequate and poorly designed.
One of the most common complaints about the UI in Warhammer 2 is the movement bar and the "end turn" menu, which can be confusing and frustrating for players. The "large vs anti-large" distinction has also been criticized as unnecessary and annoying. These issues can make it difficult for players to navigate and understand the game, leading to a frustrating and unsatisfactory gaming experience.
In addition to the movement bar and "end turn" menu issues, some players have also reported bugs and glitches with the interface. For example, one player reported that after the release of the pirates, they experienced bugs with icons and interface elements that made the game difficult to play. These issues highlight the importance of a well-designed and user-friendly interface in games like Warhammer 2, where strategy and quick decision-making are key elements.
It's worth noting that Creative Assembly, the developer of the Total War series, has acknowledged some of these issues and has worked on improving the UI in subsequent updates and releases. However, some players still feel that the UI in Warhammer 2 could be improved further to enhance their gaming experience and make it more user-friendly.
While the inadequate UI in Warhammer 2 can be frustrating, it's important to recognize that game development is a complex and challenging process, and it's inevitable that some issues will arise.
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Frequently asked questions
Three Kingdoms is the only game in the series with a diplomacy system that works. It has the most diplomatic options and it actually feels that you can achieve something by using the diplomatic tools at your disposal.
Medieval 2 has dysfunctional and borderline insane diplomacy. There is absolutely no way of keeping your alliances and peaces together, and the AI will make ridiculous decisions and attack you or stab you in the back at random.
The AI coders at CA might not be good enough to produce what players are demanding. If they dedicate too much time and resources to a fleshed-out diplomatic system, the game will likely suffer in other areas.
Players should be able to add more diplomacy options without breaking the AI or using options unique to specific factions. The game should also put brakes on limitless expansionism, as this makes diplomacy worthless.
