Total War: MEDIEVAL II
Strategys
10+
- Category Strategys
- Platform Android/iOS
- Age 10+
- Price Free
- Installs 100mil+
- Updated 2026-05-13
- Size 345 MB
On the campaign map, the player controls an entire faction. This means managing settlements, building armies, collecting income, improving infrastructure, negotiating with other powers, spreading religion, and deciding where to expand. In battles, the player commands soldiers directly, using formations, terrain, timing, morale, and unit types to defeat enemy forces.
The game belongs to the well-known Total War franchise, which became famous for combining empire management with large-scale battlefield control. In Total War: MEDIEVAL II, players can lead different medieval factions, including England, France, Spain, Scotland, Venice, Milan, the Holy Roman Empire, Egypt, the Byzantine Empire, the Moors, Turkey, Russia, and others. Each faction offers a different campaign experience because of its location, military roster, economy, enemies, and religious environment.
The campaign begins around the year 1080, during a time when Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East were shaped by castles, monarchies, crusades, trade routes, and constant competition for influence. The main goal is to grow your realm, capture important regions, protect your borders, and become one of the strongest powers on the map.
One of the most appealing aspects of Total War: MEDIEVAL II is the freedom it gives to the player. You can focus on military conquest, create trade networks, build a wealthy kingdom, use diplomacy to avoid unnecessary wars, or rely on agents such as spies, diplomats, merchants, priests, and assassins. The game allows different strategies, so each campaign can develop in a unique way.
Settlements play a very important role. Cities are usually better for money, trade, public order, and population growth. Castles, however, are stronger military centers, allowing the player to recruit better soldiers and defend key areas. Choosing whether a settlement should become an economic hub or a defensive fortress is one of the strategic decisions that shapes the entire campaign.
The real-time battles are another major feature. Armies may include swordsmen, spearmen, archers, crossbowmen, knights, heavy cavalry, siege weapons, gunpowder troops, and special units depending on the faction. Victory is not only about numbers. A smaller army can defeat a larger force if the player uses good positioning, attacks the enemy’s flanks, protects vulnerable units, and keeps morale high.
Religion is also deeply connected to the campaign. Catholic factions must deal with the Pope, papal warnings, crusades, and the risk of excommunication. Muslim factions can use religious leaders to spread faith and may take part in jihads. Religious differences can influence diplomacy, public order, rebellion risks, and the stability of newly conquered lands.
In simple terms, Total War: MEDIEVAL II is not just a war game. It is a complete medieval strategy experience where the player acts as ruler, general, economist, diplomat, and planner at the same time.
Personal Review: My Experience Playing Total War: MEDIEVAL II
My experience with Total War: MEDIEVAL II was very engaging because the game made me feel like I was actually responsible for the future of a medieval kingdom. Instead of only fighting battles, I had to think carefully about politics, economy, expansion, defense, religion, and diplomacy.
What I enjoyed most was the sense of control over a growing empire. Every turn gave me new decisions to make. I had to choose which buildings to construct, which units to recruit, where to move my armies, which enemies to watch, and which regions were worth conquering. Even a small decision could create major consequences later.
For example, expanding too quickly can seem exciting at first, but it can also create problems. If I capture too many settlements without enough troops to defend them, enemies may attack from several directions. If I spend too much money on soldiers, my economy may become weak. If I ignore public order, newly conquered cities can rebel. This constant balance makes the campaign feel deep and rewarding.
The battles were one of the strongest parts of the game for me. I liked how different each battle could feel. Fighting on open land gives more room for cavalry and flanking attacks. Defending a castle feels more defensive and intense, especially when archers are placed on the walls and infantry protects the gates. A battle on a hill, bridge, or narrow street can completely change the way I need to play.
I also enjoyed the importance of morale. It is not enough to simply send soldiers forward. I had to think about where to place my troops, how to protect my general, when to charge with cavalry, and how to weaken the enemy before direct combat. Seeing an enemy army collapse after a successful flank attack is one of the most satisfying moments in the game.
Another detail I liked was the progression over time. At the start of the campaign, armies are often made of simple troops. Later, with better buildings and more developed settlements, stronger units become available. This creates a feeling that the kingdom is growing, improving, and becoming more powerful.
The medieval atmosphere is also very strong. The music, banners, castles, unit designs, religious systems, crusades, merchants, diplomats, and faction identities help create a believable historical setting. Even though the game is older, it still has personality and charm because of its strategic depth and large scale.
In my opinion, Total War: MEDIEVAL II is not ideal for someone who wants a very quick or casual experience. It requires patience and attention. However, that is also what makes it special. Winning a campaign, surviving a difficult war, or defending a city against a larger enemy army feels meaningful because the victory comes from planning and decision-making.
The game may show its age in some visual details, and sometimes the artificial intelligence can behave in unexpected ways. Even so, the core experience remains excellent. The mix of turn-based empire management and real-time battles makes the game enjoyable for anyone who likes medieval history, strategy, and tactical warfare.
For me, Total War: MEDIEVAL II is the kind of game that becomes better as you learn it. At first, it may look complex, but after understanding its systems, the experience becomes much more enjoyable. It rewards patience, smart planning, and the ability to adapt to changing situations.
Step 1: Select a Faction
The first step is choosing the faction you want to control. Each faction begins in a different region and has its own strengths, weaknesses, enemies, economy, and military options.
For new players, factions such as England, France, or Spain are often easier to understand because they offer balanced armies and clear expansion opportunities.
Before choosing a faction, think about:
Starting position
Nearby rivals
Available military units
Economic potential
Religious situation
Campaign difficulty
A faction surrounded by enemies may create a harder beginning. A faction with safer borders and good trade opportunities can be more comfortable for beginners.
Step 2: Learn the Campaign Map
The campaign map is where you control the political and economic side of the game. Each turn allows you to move armies, recruit soldiers, construct buildings, send agents, negotiate deals, and prepare attacks.
You should always observe:
Your cities and castles
Enemy armies nearby
Rebel territories
Trade routes
Income and expenses
Public order
Religious balance
Diplomatic relations
Before ending a turn, it is a good idea to check your settlements, armies, borders, and finances.
Step 3: Understand Cities and Castles
Cities and castles have different purposes. Cities usually generate more income and help your empire grow economically. Castles are more focused on military recruitment and defense.
In cities, prioritize buildings that improve:
Trade
Roads
Markets
Farms
Population growth
Public order
In castles, focus on structures that unlock:
Stronger infantry
Better cavalry
Missile units
Siege weapons
Armor upgrades
Weapon improvements
A balanced empire needs both. Cities keep your economy alive, while castles provide the military strength needed to defend and expand.
Step 4: Strengthen Your Economy
A strong economy is essential. Without money, you cannot build structures, recruit armies, maintain troops, bribe enemies, or expand safely.
To increase income, you can:
Build roads
Improve farms
Construct markets
Develop ports
Sign trade agreements
Train merchants
Control rich regions
Avoid maintaining too many unnecessary troops
One common mistake is creating large armies before the economy can support them. Soldiers are useful, but their upkeep can drain your treasury quickly.
Step 5: Create Balanced Armies
A good army should include different types of units. Depending on only one type of soldier can make your army vulnerable.
A balanced army may include:
Infantry to hold the main line
Spearmen to resist cavalry
Archers or crossbowmen for ranged attacks
Cavalry for flanking and chasing enemies
Siege equipment for attacking settlements
A general to support morale
A strong strategy is to let infantry hold the enemy in place while cavalry attacks from the sides or rear. Meanwhile, archers can weaken enemy formations before the main clash begins.
Step 6: Master the Basic Battle System
Battles take place in real time, but before they begin, you can arrange your troops. This preparation phase is very important.
Useful battle tips include:
Place infantry in front
Keep archers protected behind the main line
Use spearmen against cavalry
Position cavalry on the wings
Keep your general away from unnecessary danger
Use hills and defensive terrain
Avoid exhausting your troops before combat
Attack enemy flanks whenever possible
Morale is one of the most important battle mechanics. Units can run away before being completely destroyed. Attacking from the rear, killing the enemy general, surrounding troops, and applying pressure with missiles can break enemy morale quickly.
Step 7: Use Diplomacy Strategically
Diplomacy can help you reduce risks and control the pace of the campaign. With diplomats, you can negotiate with other factions and create useful agreements.
Diplomatic options may include:
Trade rights
Alliances
Ceasefires
Payments
Map information
Peace treaties
However, alliances are not always reliable. A friendly faction can become an enemy if your empire looks weak or if your territory becomes attractive. Always defend important borders.
Step 8: Take Advantage of Agents
Agents can influence the campaign without direct battles. Using them well can make your empire stronger and your enemies weaker.
Important agents include:
Spies: reveal enemy armies and settlements
Assassins: remove dangerous characters or agents
Diplomats: negotiate agreements
Merchants: earn money from map resources
Priests or Imams: spread religion and reduce unrest
Princesses: support diplomacy and political marriages
Before starting a war, agents can be very useful. A spy can reveal how well-defended a city is. An assassin can target an enemy leader. A diplomat can secure peace with one faction while you focus on another.
Step 9: Prepare for Sieges
Most territorial expansion happens through the capture of cities and castles. To attack fortified settlements, you need siege tools such as ladders, battering rams, siege towers, or artillery.
During a siege, remember to:
Use infantry to attack walls and gates
Support the advance with missile units
Avoid sending cavalry too early into narrow streets
Watch out for towers and defensive fire
Move carefully toward the town square
Keep reserve units ready
When defending, use walls to your advantage. Place archers above the enemy, protect gates with strong infantry, and keep your best troops near the center in case the enemy breaks through.
Step 10: Maintain Public Order
Capturing a settlement is only part of the challenge. After conquest, you must keep the population under control.
Public order can be affected by:
Tax levels
Religion
Cultural differences
Distance from the capital
Enemy agents
Small garrisons
Population unrest
To improve stability, you can reduce taxes, build religious structures, keep troops inside the settlement, construct order-related buildings, and convert the local population.
Step 11: Manage Religion
Religion can strongly affect your campaign. Catholic factions must be careful with the Pope, especially when fighting other Catholic powers. Ignoring papal warnings may lead to excommunication.
If you play as a Catholic faction, you should:
Keep good relations with the Pope
Avoid attacking Catholic factions repeatedly without reason
Send priests to convert unstable regions
Join crusades when they fit your strategy
Watch your religious reputation
If you play as a Muslim faction, imams can help spread Islam, stabilize territories, and support religious influence. Jihads can also become powerful tools for expansion.
Religion affects more than faith. It can influence rebellion, diplomacy, conquest, and control over newly captured lands.
Step 12: Expand Carefully
Expansion is necessary, but expanding without planning can create serious problems. Choose your targets with strategy.
Before attacking, consider:
Can I defend this settlement after conquering it?
Will this war expose another border?
Is the target region rich or strategically important?
Do I have enough troops nearby?
Can my economy support a longer conflict?
Sometimes waiting is better than rushing. A prepared attack is usually safer than a fast but poorly supported conquest.
Step 13: Upgrade Buildings and Units
As your empire develops, you should improve your settlements and military infrastructure.
Important buildings include:
Barracks
Stables
Archery ranges
Blacksmiths
Roads
Markets
Ports
Religious buildings
Administrative structures
Upgrades can make a major difference. Better armor, stronger weapons, and advanced recruitment buildings allow your armies to perform much better in difficult battles.
Step 14: Work Toward Campaign Victory
To win the campaign, you usually need to control a specific number of regions and capture important cities. The exact objective can change depending on your faction and campaign settings.
Winning requires more than attacking enemies. You need to build a strong economy, keep public order under control, defend borders, use diplomacy wisely, and expand at the right time.
A stable and wealthy empire can maintain better armies. Better armies make conquest easier. More territory increases your power, income, and influence across the map.
