Creative Assembly has officially announced Total War: Medieval 3, marking a long awaited return to the series’ historical roots. Revealed during the franchise’s 25th anniversary showcase, this new installment is being positioned not just as a sequel, but as the rebirth of historical Total War.
A Legacy of Strategy and Spectacle
The Total War series, developed by creative assembly, began in 2000 with Shogun: Total War, combining turn based empire management with real time tactical battles. Over the years, it has explored a wide range of historical settings, from feudal Japan and ancient Rome to the Napoleonic Wars and the Three Kingdoms of China, as well as branching into fantasy with the hugely successful Total War: Warhammer trilogy.
Medieval II: Total War, released in 2006, remains one of the most beloved entries in the franchise. Its blend of religious conflict, dynastic politics, and brutal warfare across Europe and the Middle East set a high bar for historical immersion. Despite its age, Medieval II still commands a loyal fanbase and active modding community, with many players calling it the gold standard for historical Total War.
The Road Since Medieval II
In the years following Medieval II, Creative Assembly shifted focus toward other eras and genres. Titles like Empire: Total War (2009), Rome II (2013), and Three Kingdoms (2019) pushed the boundaries of scale and diplomacy, while the Warhammer series (2016–2022) introduced magic, monsters, and a new audience to the franchise.
Most recently, Total War: Pharaoh (2023) explored ancient Egypt with mixed reception, praised for its setting but criticized for limited scope and innovation. Meanwhile, Total War: Warhammer III continued to dominate the fantasy strategy space, with regular DLC and a massive combined campaign map that kept players engaged.
Despite these successes, fans have consistently asked for a return to the grounded, gritty realism of medieval warfare. Medieval 3 is Creative Assembly’s answer.
What We Know About Medieval 3
The game is currently in early pre production, with no release date yet. According to Creative Assembly, Medieval 3 will be built as the ultimate medieval strategy sandbox, combining meticulous historical authenticity with unprecedented player agency. Players will be able to shape realms, rewrite history, and immerse themselves in the Middle Ages like never before.
It will also run on the newly announced Warcore engine, which promises enhanced performance and scalability, potentially opening the door for console support and larger, more dynamic battlefields.
Why This Matters
This is the first medieval themed Total War game in 19 years, and it arrives at a time when historical strategy is ripe for a comeback. With modern hardware, refined design philosophies, and a community hungry for depth, Medieval 3 has the potential to redefine what historical Total War can be.
Whether it can live up to the legacy of Medieval II remains to be seen, but for now, the announcement alone is enough to reignite excitement across the strategy community.
Stay tuned to Respawn Outpost for full coverage, developer insights, and tactical breakdowns as the game develops.
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