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Where to get it

Steam

2017 · Creative Assembly · Computer wargame · MMO

Total War: Arena

Total War: Arena is a free-to-play, team-based strategy game, putting players in the middle of epic-scale realtime battles.

Released: 2017
Platforms: Windows
Genres: Computer wargame MMO Real-time strategy Real-time tactics Strategy
Developers: Creative Assembly
Publishers: Wargaming
Series: Total War
Modes: Multiplayer
Perspective: Bird view / Isometric
Themes: Historical Warfare
Country: United Kingdom

About

Total War: Arena was a strategy game under development by Creative Assembly and published by Wargaming Alliance. It was the first free-to-play title in the Total War series. Total War: Arena focused on online multiplayer, mixing elements of real-time strategy and multiplayer online battle arena gameplay. The game featured 10-vs-10 battles with each player controlling 3 units, each containing up to 100 warriors.

In November 2016, Wargaming, Sega and Creative Assembly announced a new strategic partnership. Total War: Arena was published worldwide (with the exception of China) under Wargaming's publishing label, Wargaming Alliance. The open beta of the game was launched on 22 February 2018.

Keywords

free-to-play
pax west 2017

Media

The articlegameplay, story, development, reception

Gameplay

Total War: Arena was a free-to-play third-person multiplayer real-time tactics game. The game consisted of two gameplay modes, one versus human players, and the other against bots. Players typically compete in matches that last a maximum of 15 minutes, but average around 7–9 minutes. In each game mode, the players are in teams of 10 and work together to beat an equally sized team, victory is achieved through annihilating all enemy forces, having more soldiers at the end of the time limit or capturing the enemy base.

In all game modes, players control commanders, who are historical figures. There are 14 commanders in-game spread across four factions. Players unlock and upgrade these commanders over time, enhancing their three unique abilities. The commander is attached to the player's units in battle. Each player brings three units to the battle, and the number of soldiers in these units range between 45 and 100, depending on the unit type.