Summary
TheBritish Empireis hailed as one of the largest and most impactful empires in humanity’s history, especially with historical events it participated in that ushered some of the most pivotal ideologies and concepts to grace mankind. While the British Empire still makes strides today as the United Kingdom, strategy and grand strategy titles allow players to experience the former’s glory days.
However, while certain strategy games let players use England or the United Kingdom at the onset, certain titles allow players to take part in the country’s earliest days - particularly during its height as the British Empire. With this in mind, just which games let players use the British Empire, and exactly just how do they function in their respective titles?
WithCivilization 6played as a grand strategy game across Eras, playing as the English will begin as early as the Neolithic British Isles for their Ancient Era (4000 BC to 1000 BC) up to the near future of the United Kingdom in their Future Era (2020 to 2050). In turn, the more “symbolic” take on the English Civilization in the Sid Meier title is reflected in its capacity to become a powerful cultural presence for a Cultural Victory (British Museum) or an industrial powerhouse for resource domination (Workshop of the World) depending on the expansion.
Likewise, their Sea Dog and Royal Navy Dockyard emphasize much faster exploration and naval domination inCiv 6gameplay. Depending on the Leader, players may get free units on the first city colonized per continent (Victoria, Age of Empire), more production in cities (Victoria, Age of Steam), using Great Works to colonize other cities (Eleanor of Aquitaine), and more efficient trading (Elizabeth I).
Use King Henry III To Ensure The Kingdom’s Survival
Total War: Medieval 2
MEDIEVAL II brings Total War’s compelling mix of massive real-time battles and intricate turn-based strategy to Android. Set across three continents during the turbulent Middle Ages, spectacular conflicts and scheming rivals line the path to power as the great kingdoms of the medieval world vie for supremacy. Be it through diplomacy or conquest, trade or subterfuge, you must secure the resources and loyalty required to rule an empire from the shores of Western Europe to the sands of Arabia.THE STRENGTH OF NATIONS: Unlock up to 17 playable factions and build them into major world powers through statecraft, subterfuge or all-out war.THE KINGDOMS EXPANSION: Available via in-app purchase, this massive expansion includes 24 playable factions across four unique, fully featured campaigns. Wage war from the jungles of the Americas to the deserts of the Holy Land, from the deceptively gentle shores of the British Isles to the frigid Baltic plains.THE ART OF WAR: Deploy infantry, archers and cavalry into huge real-time battles, with a full range of medieval weaponry at your command.THE TOOLS OF STATE: Use sophisticated diplomacy, lucrative trade agreements and daring agents to forge alliances or destabilise your rivals.THE TEST OF TIME: Shape the destinies of Europe, North Africa and the Middle East through five momentous centuries of combat, competition and conquest.THE POWER IN YOUR HANDS: Take command, with a brand-new user interface and enhanced touch controls for fingertip control of the battlefield. Or, play with any Android-compatible mouse & keyboard.
Whereas the firstMedieval: Total Warhas a campaign that spanned the early to late medieval periods (1087 to 1321), the indirect sequelMedieval 2: Total Warlasts much longer with a 1080 to 1530 timeline. Starting as England in 1080 will give players with defensive stability and decent ranged units like the Sherwood archers that can be upgraded into stronger gunpowder units in the endgame. However, England has yet to secure the British Empire, having to fight France, Scotland, and Denmark on top of improving the British Isles.
TheKingdomsexpansion toMedieval 2gives players control of the Kingdom of Britanniain 1258 AD, wherein King Henry III of England has to ensure the kingdom’s survival with potential enemies from Wales, Scotland, Norway, and even Ireland. While the game won’t see players make progress towards the height of the British Empire, the game ensures players can at least secure its stability.
EveryCrusader Kings 3run ending in 1453 means players would miss the opportunity of seeing the British Empire begin its ascendancy in the early 1500s. However, players ofCrusader Kings 3do have the opportunity to ensure England is powerful enough to begin its expansionafter their playthrough, especially when players manage to create the Empire of Britannia as Alfred the Great.
Doing so means starting the game in 867 as the successor to the current Petty-King of Wessex, his brother Æthelred I, who will likely die in 871. Upon assuming kingship, Alfred needs to save East Anglia and work his way to Britannia’s requirements: holding two de jure Kingdom titles and 73 de jure Counties, as well as paying 1,000 Gold. Becoming the emperor of Britannia will grant players 500 Prestige.
The Age feature ofAge of Empires 3once again allows factions to jump across historical eras. Serving as a direct sequel toAOE 2, gameplay inAOE 3takes players from the discovery of the New World in the 1500s to the beginning of colonial times around 1850. From the point of view of the British Civilization, theirAge of Empires 3gameplaybegins shortly after the unification ofAOE 2’s Britons and Celts into the House of Stewart.
As a reflection of the British’s ascension into the powerful British Empire across the centuries, theirAOE 3faction boasts a straightforward playstyle in the RTS. Their Settler creation speed can help the British jumpstart their economy much faster than others, while their Musketeers are one of the game’s best heavy infantry units. Likewise, being able to upgrade them into the powerful Royal Guard cements the British’s endgame prowess.
The British Empire begins as a powerhouse inEuropa Universalis 4, especially since the grand strategy game’s premise will attempt to secure the Crown’s global influence throughout the Late Middle Ages to the Early Modern Era. As the country management sim begins gameplay in 1444, the British Empire has just entered the Treaty of Tours with France to avoid war.
Beginning as England, the British Empire inEU4begins at a favorable position, with the sea-separated British Isles requiring would-be conquerors to use transport options inaccessible in the early game. Meanwhile, England’s control over the end trade node of the English Channel gives early access to resources. Given England’s rich history,EU4is chock-full of events that influence playthroughs, with the War of the Roses and the English Civil War being potential tragedies depending on choices. England is the favored route of uniting the British Isles to form Great Britain, although it’s also possible (but more difficult) using Scotland and Wales.
Platforms
PC
Having just been branded as the Kingdom of Great Britain, theEmpire: Total Warfaction begins in 1700 just years before the Treaty of Union in 1706 unites England, Wales, and Scotland into the aforementioned state. The campaign will last until either 1750 or 1799, the latter of which being just a few years before the Acts of Union 1800 that would merge the Kingdom of Ireland with Great Britain to form the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.
AsanEmpire: Total Warfaction, Great Britain begins as a nigh-impenetrable island nation with a strong fleet. However, its position would be challenged early by Spain and France who may declare early wars. Moreover, the historic war for American independence would take place when Great Britain’s territories in the Americas were contested by the Iroquois Confederacy, the Cherokee Nations, and the Huron Confederacy.
Try To Outwit Napoleon Bonaparte
Napoleon: Total War
Can you surpass Napoleon?The ultimate tactical challenge awaits as you step into the shoes of General Bonaparte or one of his fiercest enemies. Build an economic and military superpower through the epic battles and political unrest of the Napoleonic era. Will you beat the achievements of the legendary general or destroy them?Unrivalled Total War Gameplay - Command your troops in real-time and manage your faction on the turn-based campaign map.Three Theatres of War - Follow Napoleon’s career through the Italian, Egyptian and Grand European campaign maps.New Multiplayer Campaign - Play online with or against a friend for the fate of Europe.
While half ofNapoleon: Total Warchallenges playersto replicate Napoleon’s strokes of tactical brilliancein the Napoleonic Era of 1805 to 1815, Great Britain gets a chance to shine as early as the Egyptian Campaign. Here, they pose a direct threat to France courtesy of strong infantry and artillery as well as a lethal naval fleet.
While the larger Europe Campaign will see Great Britain off to a great start with its powerful fleet, its poor economy means the faction has to seize its accessible trade nodes as soon as possible. Moreover, Great Britain needs to watch out for French and Spanish expansion to ensure they don’t overtake naval control. The Peninsular Campaign will put Great Britain under the control of Gibraltar as well as a strong army, giving them the opportunity to expand against France at the onset.
Taking place in the Victorian Era, the 1836 to 1936 timeline ofVictoria 3will see some of the largest developments in the Industrial Revolution to date. Great Britain begins itsVictoria 3gameplayas the world’s first industrial nation, although the Hanoverian Succession after King William IV’s death and the eventual Opium Wars will be some of the kingdom’s largest issues to face in the game.
As with other grand strategy games featuring Great Britain, the island kingdom faces possible threats from Austria, France, Russia, and perhaps even China. With the game focusing largely on appeasing populations with various agendas, effective Great Britain plays require a focus on addressing discrimination, developing a manageable economy for both trade and colonization and keeping areas such as the British East India Company in check.
