Total War: Attila

Attila is Total War's severely underrated and long-lost iteration. In my view, it's because of Attila's challenging or sometimes unbalanced gameplay and different approach from other Total War games that Attila is the best Total War game and one of the best strategy games ever made.

What does Attila do so well? In a sentence: no other strategy game even comes close to the thematic and historical immersion Attila creates. I didn't think it was possible for a strategy game to have serious storytelling and such historical depth. Total War games can either be fun tactical and strategy sandboxes or they can be like Attila and create a thematic and narrative tale that uses the grand strategy genre as a means to an end.

What's incredible is that this immersion is not just achieved by sprinkling some funny-looking UI and a soundtrack on an average Total War game (though Attila's soundtrack is a masterpiece!), far from it, Attila uses all aspects of the game to create immersion. From the main menu to both the strategic and tactical gameplay, Attila highlights its apocalyptic themes and aesthetics all throughout its gameplay. Though many criticize its challenging and decentivizing gameplay where any decision you make has some negative consequences and it's really a matter of making the "least worst decision", I actually think this element adds to the themes and historiticity of Attila as a game. In short, Attila's gameplay, as difficult as it is, is intertwined with its goal of immersion and storytelling.

So if you're looking for a balanced and laid-back Total War game where you paint the map with your samurai, knights, or fantastic dinosaur mages, Attila is not for you. But if you're interested in historical authenticity or want to try out a unique and original grand strategy experience that uses Total War gameplay for storytelling, Attila is perfect.