Recent reviews by Saraband

What an incredible experience. I'm glad I knew absolutely nothing about this game before diving in, and that's exactly what I'd recommend - read nothing about it, just throw yourself into it and enjoy the unforgettable ride.

As a long-time Total War fan, I want to support these developers. But the state of their DLC for this game is one of continuous decline in terms of quantity/quality juxtaposed with unjustifiably high prices.

I own almost every game set in the Warhammer 40,000 universe that is available on Steam, and can without hesitation say that this is probably the best, most polished Warhammer tactical turn-based strategy game out there. It's also a solid foundation on which to expand and build with added races / campaigns, but what is here already is entirely worthwhile.

This is a very enjoyable, if a bit unforgiving of mistakes, turn-based tactical strategy game, with a RPG-like storyline. If that sounds like your thing, or you enjoy similar games like X-Com, Valkyria Chronicles, Mordheim, etc., then you'll probably be right at home here.

The graphics are the weakest point, but so far the game's been running incredibly well for me, and I've enjoyed it a lot. Seems a bit daunting to begin with, as the UI can be a bit overpopulated, but it all works fine and creates a very enjoyable gameplay experience.

Be aware that some of the negative reviews seem to be stuck on the pronouns issue: if offering a bit more inclusiveness for some minorities is something you get really angry about, then you should definitely get this game - because I would rather having you spend time here than trolling people on social media.

I don't usually review DLC, but this one is extremely good - so I'm making an exception.

Unique campaign mechanics, a large and diverse roster, and the ability to command an Undead Ancient Egyptian Empire. Just buy it!

Beautiful art, wonderful storytelling, amazing soundtrack and engaging turn-based gameplay. What more could you want? If you enjoyed the first Banner Saga, then this is a no brainer. If you are new to the series, don't worry - you can start with The Banner Saga 2, but I still recommend playing through the first game if you can, not only to give you a better sense of the mechanics, but also because the choices on your campaign will carry over to the sequel.

Never had I been left sobbing after finishing a game. There's a lot of lighthearted humour in here, but you'll end up feeling simultaneously miserable and happy, which is wonderful. Props to the writer of the story, for fleshing out such interesting characters, and creating such a loving tale.

Having come close to 100 hours of gameplay, and having completed a campaign with every single race, I think it's time I give my opinion on this game.

First of all, I am one of those who have been disappointed by the trajectory followed by the developers after Shogun 2. Shogun 2 was Creative Assembly at its best, a product that was so sharp and well polished that you could hardly point to any objective faults, even if you could dislike a couple of design decisions. But it is a masterpiece, I have no doubts about that. Rome 2 and Attila, in comparison, have been clunky, with many questionable design decisions and objective faults that we all know about, from performance issues to a laughable AI, to the very nature of copy/paste that was part of the "variety" contained in Attila's factions.

However, I am very happy to say that in Total War: Warhammer many changes have been made, and this truly feels like a return to form for CA. We have fewer factions available for the campaign than in any previous Total War, yes, but they never felt so different from each other as in this case. Each race is truly unique in terms of units and gameplay strategy, providing a fresh experience with every playthrough. They feel well balanced and polished, and each offers a unique angle to it that is both interesting and exciting. You get a feeling of possibility once again, of trying different tactics in order to achieve your goals, and that's what Total War should be all about.

The addition of flying units and magic also provide a whole new array of strategies at your disposal, and they add an element of surprise to each battle. Many units have no abilities of their own, unlike in previous Total Wars where some would have things like 'Berserk', 'Flaming Arrows', etc., as this micromanagement changed to the hands of your Lords and Heroes. These now have a use in battle other than their use in the campaign map, which is a welcome addition.

The soundtrack fits great, the graphics are top notch (and require a powerful machine to full enjoy them), and the multiplayer experience is simple but *works*.

There are things that I'm not too sure about, of course, although I can understand some of these decisions to fit with the lore of the Warhammer franchise. Regional occupation would be at the top of these concerns. I thought it would be worse, and fortunately there are mods which allow you to overcome this barrier.

All in all, this is the best Total War since Shogun 2, and I would certainly rank it at the very top with Medieval 2 and Shogun 2. This is Total War more exciting than it has ever been, and the Warhammer franchise has given it a touch of freshness that the series so desperately needed.

TL;DR: Best Total War since Shogun 2. Unique races provide dozens of hours of varied gameplay, and magic is exciting. Requires a strong computer to enjoy the beauty of its graphics at its fullest.

Mordheim: City of the Damned is not for the faint of heart. It's tactical and relies on strategy and wit, but luck plays an important part, and it may not always be on your side. But if you're up for a gamble, then there's no denying it; Mordheim is one of my all-time favourite turn-based tactical rpg's.

Making good use of the Games Workshop franchise in terms of atmosphere and looks, the devs managed to create an extremely addictive and engaging game, which will gradually suck you in until there's no getting out. It's great fun to level up your soldiers and unlock skills that will offer whole new ways of approaching each match.

If you're a fan of games like X-Com (1 and 2), know that Mordheim does share a few similarities, but it's also very unique. It's much less forgiving of your mistakes, but it also feels much more rewarding when you are successful, as it really puts you to the test. If you're not afraid of trial & error, and occasionally getting your behind slapped by Lady Luck, then don't think twice and dive right in - this game is totally worth it.

When Dawn of War II came out, it was an absolutely groundbreaking title. It offered some of the most competitive multiplayer at the time, and the later addition of The Last Stand mode offered hours of entertainment to both casual gamers and pro-players alike.

Now, if in 2015 the size of the multiplayer community has dwindled only to a fraction of what it was, you can still find other players out there (steam forums help in this regard) and enjoy some good games, or just plunge straight through the campaign.

Dawn of War II was worth every cent at the time it was released. As part of a Steam Sale, however, there's no reason for you not to pick this up and give it a go. Especially if you're already fan of the first Dawn of War, or just appreciate the universe of Warhammer 40,000 in general.