Empire Total War can be a lot of fun if played a certain way. For example, uniting the regions that make up modern day Germany as Prussia. These regions along with any others you conquer along the way will give you a strong tax base which allows you to field several huge armies and fleets with the best ships. My first free play 12 hr play through I didn't have too much fun, and I would have given the game a 6.5/10. Listening to my in-game advisers and following objectives in my second 50 hr play through I'm having a lot of fun and I give the game its perfect 10.
I like how the game lets you continue play after you have finished the game's objectives. The game also has several small surprises in store for the player. The graphics are very good in general and would have to be qualified as excellent for a strategy game. I love watching my AI controlled ships stagger unload on enemy ships. Controls are good and simple: you can control the whole game with a mouse. The interface menus are also very functional on both the campaign and battle screens. I bought the game a year ago for $29.99, and I'm very pleased. If you have an interest in strategy games, my advice would be to check it out.
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I had to edit my original score and give it a lower mark than 10. On my 249th turn the game froze up on me without a solution. I have read this has happened to other people as well where the game bogs down as AI empires get too big.