It's the same game we all played as kids, back when I was a little Idjit that didn't understand how things like reading or the economy really worked. But in the long years since i was 10, it has magically retained all its glorious grandeur and greatness. I still find myself coming back to it, playing even the base vanilla game, but now its joined by a cadre of mods. LOTR, Stainless Steel, or even still just the OG kingdoms expansions. Maybe my view is effected by my nostalgia....
Or maybe it has just always been that good

I wish I could recommend this game but the way the camera controls is atrocious. This is the only game I have ever played where I am just completely turned off by the way it handles with the camera sliding down like it's on a quarter pipe skate ramp when you zoom in to look at your units. to you not being able to angle the camera to look directly down or up to survey the map.

If you can get past that then go for it, I cannot. That's the only area where I will say newer Total wars have genuinely improved. TWW's camera throughout all 3 games is way better.

Absolutely Chad! You can destroy and convert the heathens, and crusade to the Holy Lands or if you wish convert and conquer all of Christendom through the Jihad. I played this when I was younger with my brother and have a lot of nostalgia for the game and the franchise. All campaigns are are chad.