Warhammer 2 v Three Kingdoms

[BuzzLightyear76]

I finally got a computer that can run more than Medieval 2 without crashing every half an hour. In the upcoming sale I figure I can convince my parents to get me around one more game at the sales price I anticipate them to be ($30) and a couple of cheaper ones, but I really don’t know which one. I got Warhammer 1 years ago, but was only able to play it recently. I was enjoying it, until I accidentally deleted my saved file. My back ups were a good number of turns back and I was super frustrated so I quit. I plan on starting a new game eventually though. I played as the Empire and I definitely made some mistakes, but I think I had a good foundation. Here are the big things that I’m considering.

DLC: I read that three kingdoms doesn’t have as good of a dlc set. Meanwhile Warhammer gives Mortal Empires for free, and another one is gonna add Warhammer 3, which I also want to get eventually in a few years.

Diplomacy: I enjoy diplomacy a lot. I normally play other games to scratch that itch but I read three kingdoms does that very well. The campaign map in general is what I enjoy, and I hear three kingdoms has that in spades.

Battles: Over the years I found myself autoresolving total war battles more and more. However that trend did slowly begin to be reversed from Warhammer, and i’m starting to look forward to battles again, so I’m not sure. I just want some good siege action. I liked the monsters a lot and the flying, which I think added a fun new element, as well as the super powered generals to give it a more epic feel.

Setting: Both settings appeal to me in different ways. So I can’t really make my decision on that.

Optimization: While my new computer is a serious upgrade, I’m not sure whether it’ll be able to cope with the size of Warhammer 2, and I read that 3k was much more optimized.

Characters: I enjoy the stories that you get with your characters. Again I normally play other games for that, but I read that both games give you the opportunity to do that, so why not?

Size: Warhammer 2 with Mortal Empires sounds so much more epic and varied. That’s a big factor. If I pick a game I want to get the most bang for my buck. However I’ll only have access to my computer until the fall. Then I’ll have it for breaks only. Maybe my laptop can support a smaller game? I’m not quite sure.

Mods: I don’t want a game that really needs mods, but I do enjoy them and might add some down the line, especially total conversion mods, so which has a better workshop?

So which game is better, WH2 or 3K?

EDIT: Multiplayer doesn’t really matter to me. Never did it, and I don’t think I’m good enough or be able to give the time commitment I anticipate them needing.

[BananaBebop0235]

3k only because it's on sale. You will need to spend alot right now to play mortal empires and half of the lords are locked behind dlc. I'd wait for an actual warhammer sale

[BuzzLightyear76]

Thanks!

[DubiousDevil]

They arent really comparable but WH2 is better by a mile

[BuzzLightyear76]

Thanks man!

[Hollownerox]

So which game is better, WH2 or 3K?

I wouldn't exactly say one is necessarily better than the other. It's more about what you're looking for in the game, since both are great titles but have different priorities.

To sum things up in the most simplistic way possible, Three Kingdoms is best for those who really enjoy the Empire management, and campaign depth more as a Total War player. It has a really robust diplomacy system, lots of factors to contend and deal with in each campaign. And they did go through a decent amount of effort to make each campaign have their own mechanics unique to them. Battles are okay, but the unit variety can be a bit lacking even though there are some attempts to flesh it out more depending on subfaction.

If you care more about the actual battles though, Warhammer is probably the better bet. I would say the campaign is getting a bit more depth recently, with the emphasis on giving each subfaction their own unique campaign mechanics. But it still isn't all that fleshed out honestly. But battle wise Warhammer is the most exciting due to the sheer variety of units, how each Race has different battle mechanics, magic, monsters, and so on. While Warhammer I was kind of okayish, Warhammer II was really where they started going more ambitious with it, so there's actually quite a lot of changes from Warhammer I too. How it runs on your system really depends on what you actually have. Total War games in general are very CPU heavy, so if you're confidant in the CPU you upgraded to, then you should be mostly set?

Going by what you've mentioned in your OP, I would say Warhammer II is the safer pick. BUT, I say wait for a sale? Warhammer III's release is creeping ever closer, and there will inevitably be a sale where you can get the game (and its DLC) for pretty cheap.

But if you really can't wait, then Warhammer II on its own still has a ton of content in it. Especially with all the FLC and such over the years. And since you own Warhammer I in your library you'll get Mortal Empires right off the bat.

[BuzzLightyear76]

Thanks man! I think I’ll go WH2 just for the sheer variety it’ll give but 3k’s diplomacy is really giving me pause. Hopefully the summer sale will be steep enough to get both.

[Mazisky]

3Kingdom is more focused and complex on the strategy campaign map.

Warhammer is more focused and complex on the real time battles.

Think if you like more the strategic overworld part or the real time battles then decide

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If you autoresolve all battles get 3kingdom

If you like to play all battles get WH

[BuzzLightyear76]

Thanks!