Total War: Arena has entered it’s open beta phase and offers a unique multiplayer experience that you won’t be finding elsewhere. The game brings RTS and Moba elements together, as troops and generals from across history fight it out in 20 player battles.
Check out our in-depth look at Total War: Arena here.
When will Total War: Arena be released?
The release date for Total War: Arena has yet to be announced, however the game is currently in an open beta and anyone can download it and play it for free. Severs are up constantly and any progress gained in the open beta won’t be reset when launch arrives, which makes this somewhat of a ‘soft launch’. The game is in a very respectable state, and is lots of fun to play already.
Can I play Total War: Arena now?
Absolutely!
Head on over to the Total War: Arena website to create a free account, and download the game to play it right now.
What platforms is Total War: Arena available on?
The current focus for TW:A is PC only. Considering Creative Assembly, SEGA and Wargaming are all involved, it’s hard to speculate if it will ever come to console.
Considering Creative Assembly’s focus on PC, we’re going to assume we won’t be seeing TW:A on console any time soon (unless it becomes wildly popular). However, Wargaming’s primary title World of Tanks has found It’s way onto consoles in the past, so there may be a faint spark of hope.
What can I expect from Total War: Arena gameplay?
Total War: Arena is primarily a team based real-time strategy game (RTS), which borrows heavily from the mechanics of multiplayer online battle arenas (MOBAs). If you’re having a hard time picturing that, then we don’t blame you – it’s a unique concept but it works very well.
Before you enter a game, you chose a commander and three sets of troops.
There are several different factions in the game, including Greeks, Romans and Barbarians, each with their own selection of commanders to choose from. The Romans feature famous battlefield commanders such Julius Caeser and Germanicus, the Greeks have Leonidas of Sparta, and the Barbarians have iconic leaders from across northern Europe like Boudica.
You then select three units to take into the game with you, which can be anything from swordsmen, spearmen, cavalry, archers, slingers, artillery, pikeman, a unit that controls war dogs and, if you’re playing as the Carthaginians, even Elephants.
Your commanders have abilities that they can use during the battle to effect the troops under their command, anything from ordering a charge or a testudo formation if you’re playing as Germanicus, to a mass shield bash or raising your shields above your head to protect yourself from ranged attacks and ‘fight in the shade’ as Leonidas.
You enter a game with 19 other people, 10 per team, each person controlling their three units. Each team has a base they have to protect, and it’s your job to win by removing the other team’s units or capturing their base.
Team work is crucial, as there is a large element of rock/paper/scissors that requires you to protect your allies, so they can protect you in turns.
Archers have to stay near their friendly melee troops, so they aren’t cut off and charged by cavalry. Melee troops must protect their archers, so in turn that archers can protect them from enemy archers.
Elephants just need protecting from absolutely nothing and everything needs protection from them in their current state – but the balance is still being tweaked!
Total War: Arena system requirements
- Operating System: Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10.
- Processor (CPU): Intel Core i3-550 or AMD Phenom II x4 945
- Memory (RAM): 2 GB
- Video card: Nvidia GeForce GTS 450 or AMD Radeon HD 5750
- Sound card: DX9 compatible
- Free hard drive space: ~8 GB
- Internet Connection Speed: 256 Kbps
- Keyboard and Mouse