Total War: Warhammer

Total War: Warhammer, released in 2016, represented one of the most ambitious crossovers in gaming history - bringing together the beloved Total War strategy series with Games Workshop's iconic Warhammer Fantasy setting. The game launched with four playable factions - The Empire, Greenskins, Dwarfs, and Vampire Counts - each feeling fundamentally different from anything that had appeared in previous Total War titles. Finally, players could command regiments of Demigryphs charging into hordes of zombies, or watch a giant wade through ranks of infantry.

The introduction of magic and monsters transformed the familiar Total War battle formula. Wizards could turn the tide of combat with devastating spells, while massive creatures like dragons, giants, and varghulfs added a vertical dimension to battles. Flying units opened new tactical possibilities, allowing players to strike at vulnerable artillery or chase down fleeing enemies. Each race's unit roster captured the essence of their tabletop counterparts, from the disciplined ranks of Empire halberdiers to the chaotic mob of Orc Boyz.

The campaign map featured the Old World, heartland of human civilization, where players could confederate with other factions of their race or pursue the destruction of ancient enemies. Legendary lords each came with unique quest chains leading to powerful magical items, adding RPG elements to the grand strategy gameplay. The Chaos Warriors served as an end-game threat, emerging from the Chaos Wastes to ravage the world in devastating invasions that all factions had to contend with.

Creative Assembly supported the game with substantial DLC, adding the Warriors of Chaos, Beastmen, Wood Elves, Bretonnia, and Norsca as playable factions. Each expansion added new legendary lords, units, and campaign mechanics, continuously expanding the game's scope. Total War: Warhammer proved that fantasy could work brilliantly in the Total War framework and laid the foundation for one of the most successful strategy game trilogies ever created.