Medieval II: Total War - Kingdoms vs Rome: Total War - Barbarian Invasion
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, ratings, and alternatives.


Medieval II: Total War – Kingdoms is the acclaimed expansion pack that adds four distinct kingdoms, each with its own unique campaign, units, and historical flavor. Players command armies on massive tactical battlefields while managing provinces, diplomacy, and economics in a turn‑based strategic layer. The expansion builds on the original game's robust engine, offering new factions, improved AI, and enhanced multiplayer modes, delivering a rich, historically grounded experience for strategy fans.
Rome: Total War – Barbarian Invasion adds a dramatic new campaign that takes players from the height of the Roman Empire to its eventual collapse under relentless barbarian pressure. The expansion introduces new factions, units, and a dynamic climate system that forces strategic adaptation on both the battlefield and the campaign map. The game retains the series’ hallmark turn‑based strategic layer and real‑time tactical battles, now enhanced with improved AI, siege mechanics, and a richer historical narrative. Play solo or challenge friends in multiplayer as you rewrite history.
- Deep, historically rich campaigns
- Massive, visually impressive battles
- Robust modding community
- Strong multiplayer options
- Deeply immersive historical setting
- Rich new factions and units
- Improved AI creates challenging battles
- Dynamic weather adds strategic depth
- Steep learning curve for newcomers
- Occasional AI pathfinding issues
- Limited UI modernization
- Higher system requirements than the base game
- Multiplayer matchmaking can be slow
- iOS controls feel less precise than PC
More alternatives & similar tools
Alternatives to Medieval II: Total War - Kingdoms
View all →
Conquer Europe as a fierce Viking warlord in epic medieval strategy
Alternatives to Rome: Total War - Barbarian Invasion
View all →
Lead Alexander's conquests in a deep turn‑based strategy experience.
The Verdict
AI-generated from listing dataMedieval II: Total War - Kingdoms is the safer default for higher critic scores and deeper medieval campaigns, traded off against the lower price and unique features of Rome: Total War - Barbarian Invasion.
Key differences
- •Price: Kingdoms is $39.99 while Barbarian Invasion is $19.99.
- •Critic Score: Kingdoms is rated 85/100 compared to Barbarian Invasion's 80/100.
- •Campaign setting and factions: Kingdoms features four new medieval campaigns, whereas Barbarian Invasion focuses on the fall of Rome with five new barbarian factions.
- •Platform availability: Barbarian Invasion supports iOS devices in addition to modern PCs, while Kingdoms supports PC and Linux.
Gameplay & fun factor
Kingdoms offers four new kingdom campaigns and real-time battles supporting up to 10,000 troops, earning an 85 critic score.
Platform availability
Barbarian Invasion is available on modern PCs and iOS devices, whereas Kingdoms lists PC and Linux support.
Price & value
Barbarian Invasion costs $19.99, which is half the $39.99 MSRP of Kingdoms.
Multiplayer / co-op
Both games support both single-player and multiplayer modes.
Content & replayability
Kingdoms features four new kingdom campaigns and a mod-friendly architecture for community-created content.
Difficulty & accessibility
Not specified, though Kingdoms lists a steep learning curve for newcomers.
Graphics & performance
Kingdoms supports high-resolution graphics and widescreen for modern displays, and handles up to 10,000 troops on screen.
Choose Medieval II: Total War - Kingdoms if…
Strategy enthusiasts wanting a deeper medieval setting, extensive modding, and massive 10,000-troop battles.
Choose Rome: Total War - Barbarian Invasion if…
Budget-conscious players wanting an ancient Roman setting, dynamic weather, and iOS device support.
Common questions
Which game is cheaper?
Rome: Total War - Barbarian Invasion is cheaper at an MSRP of $19.99, compared to Medieval II: Total War - Kingdoms at $39.99.
Which game has better critic reviews?
Medieval II: Total War - Kingdoms has a higher critic score of 85/100, while Rome: Total War - Barbarian Invasion has an 80/100.
Do both games support multiplayer?
Yes, both games support single-player and multiplayer modes.



