Reviews - TheVerySpecialK

The Europa Barbarorum (EB) team has done it again: they have released a masterpiece that represents the very highest level of Total War modding.

Back in 2008, the same team came out with EB 1 for Rome: Total War, which was a groundbreaking mod in terms of historical accuracy as well as complex, in-depth game-play. Here, they've taken the next step towards ultimate perfection with EB 2, this time built upon in the acclaimed Medieval 2: Total War engine.

The shift to a more recent engine represents a huge leap in creative capability for the team. The Medieval 2 engine supports many things that were impossible in Rome, such as unit variation, which adds tremendously to the overall experience. Better graphics are another bonus, with visuals in EB 2 going far beyond what was possible in EB 1.

As stated, units now display variation through their ranks, with differences in armor, shields and occasionally weapons being visible. Gone are the days of crisp, photocopied units of cloned soldiers. In EB 2, units have character: even in elite units, there are still slight, yet visible differences between soldiers. Not only is this more historically accurate, it does a lot for the feeling of realism that already permeates the game.

Battles are bigger, more beautiful, and more satisfying than ever.
Cavalry (especially heavy cavalry) is far more powerful and effective than before, with armored horse units posing a significant threat to your battle line (or your enemy's, depending on who has the cavalry!). Battles also take quite a while (as in EB 1), which allows plenty of time for strategic, mid-battle adjustments (such as reinforcing your line, complex flanking maneuvers, etc).

Game-play is complex and challenging, yet extremely rewarding; exactly what one would expect from a EB title: yes, there is a learning curve, but for those returning to the series, it shouldn't take too long to get the feel of the game.