Pre-E3 06: Medieval II: Total War impressions   The Total War
games have always been high on the list for strategy gamers due
to their solid mix of strategic conquest, tactical combat, and
staggering vastness. Literally hundreds of units can appear
onscreen at once, each determined to run its sword or spear
through someone else out there. Although the latest installment
returns to an already visited era, the advances in gameplay and
technology make it a trip that we're eagerly anticipating.
Visual upgrades shine on the field of battle, with an extreme
level of detail in all the units. Rather than settle for a mass
of identical warriors, the developers have created a number of
small variations on the uniforms to give the illusion of a group
of individual people. Environments have also been upgraded, with
extremely realistic looking terrain that also demands tactical
consideration. For example, heavy mud will slow down an army.
Unit types are also graced with special maneuvers that can be
invaluable during batt