Simone Lawson
Total War is a series of strategy games that includes diplomacy as a turn-based meta game alongside optional real-time warfare. While diplomacy is not the main focus of the game, it still plays a crucial role in maintaining relationships with other countries, impacting the economy, sustainability, and overall gameplay experience. One of the Total War games, Three Kingdoms (3K), stands out for its sophisticated diplomacy mechanics. 3K offers the most diplomatic options, allowing players to employ a wide range of strategies and tactics to achieve their goals. The game's diplomacy can be volatile, rapidly changing based on leader personalities and other dynamic factors. Players can engage in manipulations, economic strategies, and strategic alliances to gain an advantage. However, some players have criticized the diplomacy in Total War games, including 3K, for being too simple and lacking depth, especially when compared to other strategy games like Civilization V and Crusader Kings.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Total War game with the best diplomacy | Three Kingdoms (3K) |
| Reasoning | Has the most diplomatic options, and it feels that you can achieve something by just using diplomatic tools |
| Other games with good diplomacy | Shogun 2, Medieval 2, Rome 2, Napoleon, Rome 1, Attila |
| Games with poor diplomacy | Medieval 2, Empire, Shogun 2, Warhammer |
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Total War: Three Kingdoms
However, some players have criticized the diplomacy in Three Kingdoms as being too simple and dull, arguing that it mostly boils down to giving gifts, improving relationships, trading, and going to war. These players have suggested that diplomacy should be deeper and more complicated, with more unique options for specific factions. For example, the ability to make secret pacts or create collation forces for common goals, such as attacking the same foe or finding powerful artifacts.
In addition, some players have expressed a desire for more functional diplomacy in the game, where they can have more control over the AI factions and not just feel like they are being played like a hand of cards. They want the AI to be more opportunistic and aggressive, but at the same time, they also want to be able to maintain allies and prevent them from randomly declaring war or switching allegiances.
Overall, while Total War: Three Kingdoms offers a wide range of diplomatic options, some players feel that the system could be improved to make it more deep, complicated, and functional, especially when compared to other strategy games that focus more on diplomacy.
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Total War: Warhammer
The diplomacy in Total War: Warhammer primarily revolves around giving gifts, improving relationships, trading, and going to war. Players have suggested improvements to make the diplomacy more engaging, such as including secret pacts, creating collation forces for shared goals, and adding resource management elements like food and gear. Randomising faction leader traits at the early game and allowing players to request factions to declare war on third parties are other proposed enhancements.
Some players have noted that the diplomacy in Total War: Warhammer could be more dynamic, with criticism directed at the predictability of alignments. For instance, all Chaos-aligned races eventually form a giant alliance, which doesn't accurately reflect the lore of the Warhammer universe. It has been suggested that introducing diplomatic tags based on specific alignments within the broader alignments of destruction, order, neutral, and chaos could enhance the diplomacy system and make the game world feel more alive.
In comparison to other Total War games, Warhammer's diplomacy has been described as disappointing. Players have praised the diplomacy system in Three Kingdoms, citing its depth and the ability to achieve goals through diplomatic means alone. However, it's important to note that the complexity of Three Kingdoms' diplomacy may not be suitable for every game in the series, particularly those with larger maps or different settings.
Despite the criticisms, it's worth noting that diplomacy is not the primary focus of the Total War series, including Warhammer. The series is known for its large-scale tactical fights, and while diplomacy is included, it takes a backseat to the strategic and combat aspects of the game. Nonetheless, the suggestions and feedback from players can help inform future improvements to the diplomacy system in Total War: Warhammer and other games in the franchise.
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Shogun 2
Total War: Shogun 2 is a strategy game developed by Creative Assembly and released in 2011. It is the seventh instalment in the Total War series. Shogun 2 is set in Japan during the Sengoku period, a time of military conflict and political intrigue. The game offers players a range of options to influence relationships and engage in diplomacy with other factions.
The diplomatic AI in Shogun 2 has been described as more reasonable and less spiteful compared to other games in the series. Players can offer deals and treat AI-controlled factions well to gain staunch allies. Additionally, the game's user-friendly interface makes it easier to keep track of one's empire and quickly access relevant information, aiding in strategic decision-making.
However, some players have criticised the diplomacy system in Shogun 2 for being too difficult or unpredictable. They argue that it is challenging to make peace once a war has started, and that allies may suddenly turn on the player even after years of positive relations. The higher difficulty settings can further exacerbate these issues, with AI players becoming more stubborn and less likely to accept diplomatic resolutions.
Despite these criticisms, Shogun 2's diplomacy system has been considered an improvement over its predecessors and other games in the genre. It offers a good balance between investment and payoff, allowing players to influence relationships through strategic choices and resource allocation. Overall, Shogun 2 provides a challenging and immersive diplomatic experience that encourages strategic thinking and engagement with the game's systems.
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Medieval 2
However, some players have found ways to make diplomacy work in Medieval 2. One strategy is to give money or gifts to potential allies, which can increase relations and make it easier to negotiate. Another strategy is to maintain a strong military, as the AI is less likely to betray you if they perceive you as powerful. Players can also try to form alliances with factions that don't directly border their lands, as this can reduce the temptation for the AI to attack. Additionally, players can level up their diplomats and princesses, increasing their charm and influence to improve their diplomatic abilities.
Overall, while Medieval 2's diplomacy may not be the strongest aspect of the game, players can still find some success by employing certain strategies and tactics. It's worth noting that the game's diplomacy has been criticised by some players, but others have found it suitable for the setting, adding a layer of challenge to the gameplay.
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Rome 2
Players can also form military alliances, allowing them to attack another faction together with their ally. Declaration of war is also an option, as well as forming satrapies and client states, which pay tribute and are connected by a defensive alliance. Trade agreements can be established, with profits depending on the raw materials available to each faction.
Some players have noted that the AI in Rome 2 can be unpredictable, with factions declaring war despite positive relations. This can make it challenging to maintain diplomatic relations and build an empire. However, players can improve their diplomatic activities by closely monitoring all factions and forming strategic alliances. Gifts can also be sent to loyal factions to improve relations.
Overall, Rome 2 offers a range of diplomatic options for players to utilize, with some praising the diplomacy mechanics as impressive and enjoyable.
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Frequently asked questions
Total War: Three Kingdoms (3K) is considered to have the best diplomacy among the Total War games. It has the most diplomatic options and it is possible to achieve a lot using just the diplomatic tools available.
In 3K, you can buy off someone's vassal before going to war to weaken them economically, or sell lots of food to an "ally" that has very little, so that if war breaks out they are crippled by the end of trade.
Rome 2 (R2) has the most stable diplomacy and provides the most feedback on when an agreement is likely to be reached and why. Shogun 2 also includes diplomacy in a turn-based meta game alongside optional real-time warfare.
Some players have noted that diplomacy in Total War games is too simple and that there should be more options available. Others have noted that the AI makes arbitrary deals and that allies can turn on the player for no reason.
Yes, Civilization IV and V, Crusader Kings II, and Europa Universalis are often recommended for players looking for games with a strong focus on diplomacy.
