Incredible-looking gameplay footage and info headed your way in this preview video of Sega's upcoming RTS for the PC, Medieval II: Total War. We give you the latest on what's to expect with this epic-looking strategy game.

In this video, we learn about the Teutonic Campaign, and how religion plays a key role in the grand scheme of things (the grand scheme being crushing the other guy's army), as well as behold some of the stark differences between the factions you'll be able to play as. There's also a good bit of in-game footage here and it's looking pretty sweet - each soldier moves smoothly and in time with one another, the action seamless despite the massive amount of troops onscreen. The soldiers themselves are vibrant and rich in detail - clumsy, heavy knight armor never did look as sweet as it does here.

Good graphics, a solid-looking gameplay system, heavy emphasis on historical accuracy - what's not to like about Medieval II: Total War? Not a whole lot. We'll be sure to update you as developments occur (including the game's August release). For now, enjoy the video!

Sega has announced Medieval II: Total War Kingdoms, the official expansion to last year's RTS title Medieval II: Total War. Despite the odd and unwieldy name, Medieval II: Total War Kingdoms is the most content-rich expansion ever produced for a Total War game.

Four new entire campaigns centered on expanded maps of the British Isles, Teutonic Northern Europe, the Middle East, and the Americas make their debut here. Along with the new maps, there are 13 new factions to play, over 110 units to control, and 50 building types. Using mysterious computer game mathematics, that adds up to about 80 additional hours of gameplay.

All-new factions from the New World are also now fully playable, including the Aztecs, Apaches, and Mayans. Medieval II: Total War Kingdoms also supports multiplayer gameplay for up to 8 players over LAN or online as well as a new feature called hotseat multiplayer which allows players to play one-on-one campaign games on the same computer.

Medieval II: Total War Kingdoms is scheduled for release in August of this year.

   

More screenshots after the jump!

The game, Medieval II: Total War from Sega, now has new content and options which come in the form of their expansion, Medieval II: Total War Kingdoms. The expansion promises over 75 hours of gameplay for fans of the game. To spice things up, the expansion has added four new campaigns, as well as the opportunity to explore The New World which is unlocked at the end of Medieval II: Total War. To diversify the gameplay even further, 13 new playable factions and over 150 new units have also been added.

To lead these new units and factions, new hero characters have also been added to the ranks, with the likes of Richard The Lionheart and Saladin now in tow. On top of that, players can now use moated forts to house large armies or block off key strategic points from enemy factions. Tech Trees have also been expanded, with the additions being dictated by religion and prestige.

George Fidler, Studio Director of The Creative Assembly Australia, spoke about this expansion saying that they are now "looking to offer unrivaled richness and detail with four completely new campaigns, each offering its own unique features, challenges and flavour of Total War." Whether this holds true or not is still a question to be answered. Well, until Medieval II: Total War Kingdoms hits stores this autumn anyway. While waiting, you can check out some of the screenshots and videos of the game.

IGN's Direct2Drive is not the only online source for Medieval II: Total War for aspiring Napoleons everywhere. Sega of America and Valve have inked an agreement that will see the game on Valve's Steam content delivery system. So this brings the number of acquisition options to three: Steam, Direct2Drive, and the old-fashioned (a.k.a. hard) way.

Medieval joins a list of PC titles available on Steam, including  Race: The Official WTCC Game, Roboblitz, and fellow strategy title Heroes of Annihilated Empires. And with the hardbox copy out today in North America, well, maybe Steam and Direct2Drive users should check their clients and see if the game's available for download. Hey, conquest waits for no one. It usually just steamrollers over the tardy - as anyone on the receiving end of a full-on cavalry charge can attest.

Alright Napoleon wannabe, we'll see you on the battlefield. Just don't forget that it costs US$ 49.99 (boxed) or US$49.95 (Steam) to enter this battlefield.

IGN Entertainment's Direct2Drive digital retail store announced today that they have inked a deal with Sega to digitally distribute the award-winning Total War series of games, including The Creative Assembly’s long awaited sequel, Medieval II: Total War.

With this new distribution deal, Sega is joining the long list of leading game publishers that are currently using Direct2Drive to bring their games to consumers. This steadily growing list underscores the increasing investment the videogame industry is making in digital distribution.

Direct2Drive has been allowing gamers to conveniently purchase and download top-selling games since 2004. It builds on the tried and tested operational infrastructure of FilePlanet, IGN Entertainment's download site. Direct2Drive also makes use of IGN's HitPoints program, which provides full digital game downloads for IGN and GameSpy subscribers.

As predicted by the QJ crystal ball of prophecy (otherwise known as "our sources"), Medieval 2: Total War has arrived right on time. When Sega says it's November 14 for North America, it damn well should be November 14 for North America. No room for misunderstanding and miscalculations there. Hey, it is TOTAL war, after all.

For US$ 49.99, you get all the war-mongering you can satisfy yourself with. The game has polished their war-beaten battlefield rendering system and improved it by tweaking out the clone armies of the past games in the franchise and has charged in with a more realistic animation system. Imagine: 10,000 troops to command, hundreds of unit types, weather effects in real-time, and the whole chaos of war.

March through the Middle Ages and form your empire as you strategically want to to unfold. Build your castles and cities, fiefdoms and baronies, bathhouses and brothels (oops) and whatever you deem so. Unleash the Lord (or Lady) in you. Build your own empire. And if ever the game gets a bit tricky, always remember, Rome wasn't built in a day.

SEGA said the magic words today that every Medieval II: Total War fan wants to hear: the PC real time strategy (RTS) game has gone gold. And then SEGA said the other set of words that gamers really care about: the final release dates. Medieval II: Total War will march across the European continent starting November 10. The campaign will then cross over the Atlantic to North America on November 14.

Medieval II: Total War, from The Creative Assembly, is set between 1080 – 1530 AD which is not the most peaceful era in the Medieval World. Actually it was pretty turbulent. The goal of of the game is to become the greatest power of the Medieval World. Screw Gandhi and the Nobel Peace Prize. The only way to get there is the violent way.

Medieval II: Total War has already chalked up impressive pre-release victories by earning rave reviews from PC Gamer, Gamestar, PC Zone, and PC Powerplay. To celebrate the arrival of Medieval II: Total War we present the final batch of screeshots:

   

If we are to judge a PC Game based on its screenshots, Medieval II: Total War simply lives up to its title. With as much as 10,000 dynamic characters engaging in battle at a given time, we'd all agree it's one breathtaking sight. We admit, we are fans of impressive graphical representation of historical figures involved in a battle for world supremacy. But what will set this game apart from other war games is the redesigned multiplayer mode that boasts of visceral combat choreography truly reflective of the gore and brutality of the medieval warfare. Isn't that enough to make your bloodlust nature go into full gear?

Developer The Creative Assembly has enhanced the Total War engine, enabling players to immerse themselves in strategy campaigns while getting a truly cinematic feel at every turn.

As the leader of an emerging faction, you are given the heavy task of expanding your borders and building cities and armies to gain wealth and prosperity. Conflict sets in when the Pope and the Papal States test your faith and loyalty. It's up to you if you want to remain attached to the great powers watching over the Christian world, or plot their downfall.

You've got a few days left to decide as the game charges to retail shops on November 14 in North America. While you mull over your final decision, check out these awe-inspiring screenshots and trailer that scream, "Devastation!"

More screens await after the jump!

Download: [Medieval II: Total War trailer]