Summary
Just like with everyTotal Wargame before it,Total War: Pharaohprides itself on the realism it delivers. Not only has the Bronze-Age Collapse been fully realized with exciting strategy gameplay, but Creative Assembly has also tossed in a plethora of new features to really help build out this new experience. One such feature comes in the form of the new dynamic weather that players must now grapple with as they attempt to conquer all of Egypt. And although it takes the concept only so far, its inclusion really helps engross players into the world ofTotal War: Pharaoh.
Throughout players' adventures, they will encounter countless storms onTotal War: Pharaoh’s battlefield. Practically every battle will shift and change depending upon the weather of the region, which leads to a pretty exciting gameplay loop. And while the main focus of the storms is the effect itself, some players may notice that there is far more going on than just a dusty screen. If anyone is willing to zoom in closer, they may find a battlefield that feels ripped straight from history.
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There may be a lot going on behind-the-scenes to recreate these storms, but Creative Assembly is especially proud of the tiny details it filled the world with.In a recent interview with Game Rant,Total War: Pharaoh’s Lead Battle Designer Milcho Vasilev talked about those details that may go unnoticed, but whose inclusion really helps make the battlefield feel alive. When asked about what exactly the studio is most proud of with the dynamic weather system, Vasilev said,
One thing we’re proud of are the little attentions to detail that the teams have managed to include. Total War is normally played from a high vantage point to better take advantage of the ebb and flow of a battle, but if you zoom in closely, you will see units with shields attempt to protect themselves during a sandstorm, and you will also see armor and clothing gradually get covered in dust or mud, whilst their capes flap majestically in the wind.
Even though many players may just focus onthe strategical aspect ofTotal War: Pharaoh’s battles, those that look a bit closer are in for a treat. As the storms roll through the battlefield, the soldiers will react to everything that is going on. They will shield their face so that sand does not get into their eyes, their outfits will get bogged down in mud, and they will be forced to push through the storms to achieve victory. Just like in real life, soldiers seem to be heavily affected by their environment, which leads to a very authentic experience.
Not only do the storms actually change the way the soldiers look and operate, but they also impact the actual flow of combat.Sandstorms make things hard to see, rain can slow people down, and the sweltering heat can have all sorts of negative effects. To achieve this, the studio had to go even deeper with its tiny details. When asked about the actual effects the storms have on the soldiers, Vasilev said,
Indeed, there are actual physics guiding the winds and the storms under the hood. A good example of this in action is when archers shoot their arrows, the wind has a direct effect on the direction in which they’re blown, subsequently affecting a unit’s accuracy. We want this to be a realistic depiction of what you would have to do in a real-life scenario, so players have the option of commanding ranged units to shoot to the side of the enemy (Alt+Attack click on the ground) to better anticipate the physics at play.
While players may not be able to really see arrows getting pushed by the wind, they must be prepared for it just like they would have to in real life. If they do not, then their entire strategy may have to change because the storms do not mess around. It is these minute details that really help the dynamic weather shine, which also helps makeTotal War: Pharaohfeel extremely authentic in the process. And that is one of the main things many fans really want from a historical RTS like this.
Total War: Pharaoh
WHERE TO PLAY
In Total War: PHARAOH immerse yourself in ancient Egypt at the zenith of its power and experience the dramatic events that threaten its destruction. With dynamic real-time battles and incredible turn-based empire management, will you rise to become Egypt’s last great Pharaoh, or a conquering Great King of the Hittites? Or will you take command of the Sea Peoples’ bloodthirsty hordes and drive the Bronze Age Collapse?With the Bronze Age Collapse looming and the dark sails of the Sea Peoples filling the horizon the people of Egypt cry out for a new leader. Many desire the power of the throne, but the path to becoming Pharaoh is a perilous one. Unearth a breathtakingly vibrant recreation of the Bronze Age Collapse as you battle societal disarray, face natural disasters and fight to protect your people against waves of invaders.Enemy armies aren’t the only challenges to overcome on the battlefield. Lead your soldiers through sudden and dramatic shifts in weather, such as torrential rain and sandstorms, and witness the tides of battle turn as it directly impacts the surrounding terrain. Beware the threat of fire too, as battles can become engulfed in flames, striking and spreading across the battlefield as it burns forests and damages the foundations of enemy settlements.
