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This year the Total War series turns 15, and as recompense for making so many of us feel so horribly old The Creative Assembly is celebrating with a birthday blowout of new Total War titles. The recent release of the Wrath of Sparta content pack for Total War: Rome 2 is followed on 17 February by the next major release in the franchise, Total War: Attila - but the ferocious Hun does not ride alone. Instead, he's flanked by two less traditional Total War experiences aimed at bringing in new players via the hit-and-miss gift horse of free-to-play. First up is the multiplayer only offering of Total War: Arena, while the second is cross-platform desktop and tablet title, Total War Battles: Kingdom. The question is whether these new titles will enhance the series' illustrious legacy or fail to make their mark and suffer the ignominy of obscurity.
In its current form, Total War: Arena will struggle to shine. Comprised of 10 vs 10 PvP battles aimed at annihilating the opposing side or capturing their base camp, each player controls three units led by a famous commander, who confers bonuses of a particular flavour. As commanders gain experience, higher tier units can be drafted in and upgraded via the currency earned through battles (or micro-transactions, presumably). Its fast-paced 15 minute battles are tempered by pre-match decisions regarding army composition and unit maintenance.
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