Total War: Warhammer II Announced
The hammer is officially being brought down.
Creative Assembly has confirmed the second installment in its Total War: Warhammer trilogy, Total War: Warhammer II. During EGX Rezzed on March 31, the British developer announced the upcoming sequel and unveiled a high-powered cinematic trailer.
Total War: Warhammer II is the follow-up title to 2016's real-time tactics, turn-based strategy game Total War: Warhammer. The original game, which blends together expansive Warhammer Fantasy settings and familiar landscapes from the long-standing Total War series, had an impressive debut, selling more than half a million copies during its first few days.
Total War: Warhammer II moves players outside The Old World as they traverse the enchanted isles, thick jungles, murky swamps, and mysterious hinterlands. Additionally, the sequel will feature new-to-the-game character races, which are borrowed from Warhammer: The Game of Fantasy Battles. Gamers will encounter four playable races: the High Elves, the Dark Elves, the Lizardmen, and a final one yet to be announced. To keep things balanced, four new continents are introduced as well. Fans can expect to journey through Ulthuan, Naggaroth, the Southlands, and Lustria.
The reveal trailer teases lush landscapes, powerful creatures, and intense gameplay. Watch for yourself above, and read the official synopsis below.
"Players will struggle for dominion over the ailing Great Vortex that has swirled for millennia above the elven homeland of Ulthuan. Performing a series of arcane rituals, each race must save or disrupt the Vortex according to their motivations—a struggle culminating in a cataclysmic endgame. Territorial conquest is no longer enough... this is a race for control that will define the fate of the world."
During the sequel's announcement, game director Ian Roxburgh discussed what the next installment means to Creative Assembly and the franchise as a whole. "Total War: Warhammer II represents the next step in our trilogy, our vision for the most incredible fantasy strategy series ever made," Roxburgh said (via VG247). "The success of the first game has increased our ambition; we're not only going to deliver a thrilling campaign in the sequel, but also an additional combined campaign, the biggest so far, for owners of both."
Total War: Warhammer II is expected to release this year. No official debut date has been announced, but we'll update you as news breaks. While we wait to get our hands on the sequel, check out the games we predict will blow everyone away in 2017.