14 DAY TRIAL // Total War: Warhammer is a major departure from the classic mechanics of the strategy series from The Creative Assembly, but the developers are saying that gamers will not need to make a major set of adjustments in order to understand the core mechanics and enjoy the experience.
Andy Hall, a lead writer on the project, tells PC Gamer at Gamescom 2015 that "Fundamentally it's a Total War experience with Warhammer layered on top. All Warhammer characters have a stat bar, which is very helpful for us—we never had anything telling us the stats of a Roman legionnaire!"
The team at Games Workshop that created the fantasy universe is giving The Creative Assembly a wide range of details and statistics about the units, which are already used in a variety of incarnations of the tabletop experience.
The studio is then taking them and making sure that they fit into the core mechanics of the Total War series, ensuring that none of them is overpowered and that it is easy for gamers to put together strategies and then execute on them.
The proprietary engine of the series is also handling the new elements, like spellcasting and flying units, pretty well, according to Andy Hall.
Total War: Warhammer will focus on big battles and heroes
The first gameplay video for the strategy title offers fans a look at the Battle of Black Fire Pass, in which the humans of the Empire led by Karl Franz need to take out the Orcs that are gathered on Waghhh under Grimgor Ironhide.
The footage allows gamers to see how the fantasy units will be balanced to offer cool battle moments and give players a chance to put together tactical moves.
For the first time in the series, wizards can be deployed, able to use their spells to turn the tide of battle when used correctly.
The major heroes each of the factions can use will also have a major effect on the battlefield.
The Creative Assembly has also promised that the strategic layer will be very different for each the involved factions, but no details have yet been offered.
Total War: Warhammer will be launched on the PC at some point in 2016.