We share our impressions of Total War Pharaoh. Egyptian rake

At the end of last week, early access to Total War: Pharaoh started. The strategy was available until October 2, offering players to play for two fractions and make 60 moves (you could start with a countless number of times).

To get early access, it was necessary to buy Total War: Pharaoh. Yes, the strategy is not available in the Russian Steam, but I personally be glad that I pretended to be a novelty. Because during the game I repeatedly caught myself thinking that I can still return the money. And, perhaps, I save the means of those who thought about buying.

Because now the "pharaoh" seems to be at least an ambiguous game. She will offer almost nothing new to veterans. And newcomers for acquaintance with the series are completely different parts.

About the world Total War: Pharaoh

The team that created Total War Saga: Troy is responsible for the development of the Pharaoh. Troy is a relatively small game full of problems at the start, but on the release you turned a blind eye to them – nevertheless, the strategy was distributed for free. Here, money (just not rubles) ask us for largely the same strategy, but growing on a scale (and growth turned out to be dubious). And became much less personal and exciting.

Perhaps someone will add to this and much less diverse gameplay for local heroes. But only two factions were offered in early access, and they will have to play differently. So I fully admit that the release version in this regard can pleasantly surprise.

The starting location of eight fractions is displayed on the map below. Each territory limited by lines is a region. Of the two-three-four regions, a province consists of, for which players can issue decrees with bonuses for this territory. In general, the most familiar story.

Yellow (Ramses) and red (Irsu), fractions were highlighted, for which it was possible to play in early access. In both cases, players will find fast expansion (and for Irs – very fast) in these directions. And the need to follow the happiness of the population and the influence of the state in the provinces.

Then it is necessary to globally decide which court to join (and eventually become a pharaoh or the Great King Hatti). And determine for yourself a mission like control over the miracles of light or building warm relations with vassals.

And this is what the leaders, troops and unique buildings look like eight fractions available on the release (4 of them are the Egyptians, 2 – Hananites, 2 – Hittites).

And to complete the theme of the global map. Even if it initially seems big to you, then in reality it is felt relatively compact. Let there be no speed movement in the spirit here "Samurai sunset"For Total War: Shogun 2, but generals with armies move on land quite quickly.

Of course, there is also a movement of water: first of all, along the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, as well as the Nile. We bring the army to the water – they become "ships".

In addition to roads connecting settlements, there are advanposts in the Farana – they additionally accelerate the army. In the regions, you can build up to four such structures that are located near the settlement. This can be a religious, economic, military or administrative building that gives a tactical advantage or bonus to the region/province.

In the region there may be one building of each type, that is, it is impossible to build two forts or sanctuaries. If any such structure is visited by the army, it will receive a certain advantage (for example, plus to morality or reducing the cost of maintenance), as well as an increase in speed. Moreover, these bonuses are summarized, so that in one move the army can make a really big jerk.

And all this is not bad at all. At least at first you really think where and what to build. And when new avant -senposts, you begin to use them to the maximum. They will help to quickly cross the deadly deserts or develop success in the war … And at the same time, thanks to them, you understand how much the world of the game is actually small.

Politics and economics

Globally Total War: Pharaoh again offers two conflicting sides. How Rome has a Carthage, and the emperor is shogun, the South Egyptian pharaoh has a northern rival, the great king of Hatti. And players are offered to join a particular group – unless, of course, you decide to go by your way.

Following the leader in the hierarchy of these two camps, court. Five officials responsible for the treasury, secret murders or elite troops … Having taken one of these positions, you get additional opportunities. For example, having become a vizier, you can eliminate objectionable without special consequences. A similar situation can be obtained if there are free places in this pyramid, and you have excess gold. Well, you can sit on the throne during the civil war … If you claim the rights to the place of the pharaoh or the Great Tsar.

Being a court, you will begin to actively weave intrigues, engage in bribery, ask for amplifications, and so on. Each of your colleagues can provide you with any service or “provide” with additional legitimacy. And if someone does not suit you, get rid of the opponent. And do not forget that someone can weave intrigues against you.

Total War: Pharaoh factions worship someone of several local gods. Players and AI as they develop can choose one, two or three gods. Each of them, if you build temples and sanctuaries, gives bonuses. The more temples and sanctuaries, the more bonuses.

At a global level, it is important to monitor the “scale of the crisis” – it is located just below the image of your ruler at the top of the screen. Everything can go well, a crisis or a real collapse can come – a real test for the state.

In early access, I did not happen to be in the collapse stage. But at this time, apparently, catastrophes will occur more often, there will be fewer resources, and the barbarians will be stronger and more active. And since they do not agree with Royal Lama Casino them, you have to actively defend their boundaries and hope that AI will be stupid again.

If we talk about the economy, we immediately pay attention to five resources:

• Food;
• Stone;
• Tree;
• Bronze;
• Gold.

All these resources are needs for two goals: food and bronze are primarily required for hiring and maintenance of troops, and stone and wood are for construction. Well, gold will come in handy there and there. Each of the regions specializes in a particular resource, so if you feel the lack of anything, direct the troops towards the nearest specialized settlement. Or take up diplomacy, concluding profitable transactions.

At first, the resources may not be enough, and bronze or food will be in a shortage … but to create a system that provides an increase in all resources is quite simple.

But even if you fill all your treasures or warehouses with resources, you cannot instantly build the most important and valuable buildings in the provinces or region. At least the need for labor will prevent this.

Each structure will require a certain number of “workers”, so until your work force scale reaches level 3, you will not be able to create a building that needs these same “workers”. So the labor scale will either be filled up to 4-5-6-7, then roll back again, to the minimum values.

By the way, the growth of labor, the construction and mining of resources in the province is influenced by the influence and happiness of the population. So do not forget about entertainment institutions or buildings that strengthen your positions.

And, of course, economics, diplomacy, troops, etc.p. depend on the "new technology". There are relatively few of them here, and so the complete tree looks like.

Battles and stupidity

From time to time, the chief hero of our faction will offer to determine the ambition for themselves. That is, set a goal, when you reach which you will receive a reward. Sometimes they offer to build a building of a certain type, but most often the tasks will be related to troops, conquests and battles. And if we talk about the latter ..

Artificial intelligence in battles and in preparation for them is truly extraordinary. If you can make stupidity, the computer will almost certainly make stupidity. A couple of examples.

The skill of strategy. Having gathered all its forces in a fist – 19 detachments in the army – AI nominates to the enemy. In the desert. Experiencing constant losses from exhaustion. So only every third comes to the place. And they all die after the first battle.

By the way. Apparently, in Total War: Pharaoh there are no agents who are able to make dirty tricks on a global card or support settlements and army. At least for one and a half campaigns they did not meet me.

Mastery of tactics. During the defense of the city, AI controls all possible approaches. Wherever we go, the enemy detachments will be waiting for us. But you just have to draw one of the groups of AI into the battle, he will immediately go on the attack. Immediately he will arrange a crowd of about one of the exits from the city. You send a couple of detachments to get around the enemy from the back. The fighting spirit of the enemy drops sharply (especially if you have chariots). And the brave defender, who became an absurd attacking, runs.

And so almost always. Possessing a favorable position, AI goes forward. Most times exceeding the number of archers, does not use the advantages. Preparing to attack, does not take into account the terrain and does not make important maneuvers. So if there is a river between you, and a field that could be a great place for a fight, and will go across the river. Without trying to force you to attack, so that you are going forward on the water, nor get around the flank.

When AI has numerical superiority, he may try to surround you. But most often in such cases, the computer simply simulates the crowd, and then even one of your detachment will hold back at least three enemies. If someone hit them from the rear. All this is at the standard level of complexity. And I would like everything to change on high. But practice shows ..

It is known that defense is almost always easier to attack. But in Total War: Pharaoh, it seems, to defend itself became much easier than usual. By declaring war, you can always provoke the enemy, and he will always go to you. And lose noticeably faster. Moreover, you can almost always arrange the most successful ambushes.

In any case, AI is weak both at the tactical and strategic level.

Why attack immediately by the whole army, if you can send 3-4 detachments and constantly lose?

Is it worth playing?

The action of Total War: Pharaoh takes place at the turn of the century, about 1200 BC. Shortly before the Trojan War, which the same developers talked about three years ago. And if you look at the map of the "pharaoh", it is easy to imagine how more significant and interesting events will soon occur a little west to the west.

Maybe a team Creative Assembly Sofia someday unite these worlds like what happened to Warhammer. And then part of the Greek epic will come down to the same type of deserts. But as if doing it is not necessary at all.

To all the disadvantages of Total War: Pharaoh, it is worth adding problems with performance – on the same gland that did a good job with Starfield, there were constant and strong fps drawdown. And after 20 moves to play in the "pharaoh" became simply painful. The enemy’s moves took several times more time, and the world of the game or its menu turned into a non -effective parody of “six frames”. But thanks to the rescue reboot, after which everything returned to normal.

Of course, a lot can be improved by reducing the graphics, but for some reason, the same manipulations were not required with the Bethesda game on the same PC. On the contrary: there the game initially set up insufficiently high settings, so I had to improve the quality of the picture.

Perhaps someday in Total War: Pharaoh will add Russian. Perhaps someday developers will save the game from performance problems. Perhaps the strategy will become prettier or deeper … But it is unlikely that it will lose its main problems. Now the game seems as optional as possible, and simply boring. At least if you played in the previous historical Total War.

I do not want Creative Assembly to decide on another same or even more unnecessary project after the passing Pharaoh. Better Total War: Pharaoh will prompt the developers to try properly and create something very large-scale and very desired ..

In the end, Empire 2 will not make itself.