Verithiathe honest score on any app
Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

Total War vs ROME

Total War 4.9★ · $14.99 65
Winner Total War
ROME 4.8★ · $9.99 · ⚠ stale 60

Total War offers a more expansive and updated experience with more factions and content, but both games suffer from significant stability and control issues on mobile.

Full reviews: Total War · ROME

Both Total War: MEDIEVAL II and ROME: Total War bring beloved PC strategy games to mobile, but struggle with performance, crashes, and touch controls. Total War offers more content and a slightly better-optimized experience, despite its higher price and similar issues.

Head to head

Features and Content edge: Total WarR2R5R7R11
Total War Total War is praised for its depth, offering 17+ factions and a vast world-building experience, with users appreciating it as a strong port of the PC version R2. However, some users express frustration over having to pay extra for DLC to unlock the 'other half of the game' and additional content, despite the base game's $14.99 price R7R15R28. There are requests for mod support and more unit variations to enhance replayability R5R11R36.
ROME ROME is also celebrated as a classic strategy game with incredible battle scale and empire management, offering a faithful mobile port . Users enjoy the core gameplay but frequently request features like naval battles, mod support, and the ability to play as the SPQR faction to expand content R80. Some users feel the mobile version is too tedious and not well-suited for phone screens, making it a disappointment compared to the original PC game .
Ease of Use and Controls tieR12R15R21R24
Total War Total War's touch controls are surprisingly good for a PC port, with the UI simplified for mobile . However, many users find the interface horrible and difficult to operate, leading to frustration R21R24. Specific issues include units not following commands, cavalry bugs, and difficulties with troop movement and selection in battles R15R24R26. Lack of controller support is also a significant drawback for some R12R40.
ROME ROME users find the controls hard and not easy, with difficulties navigating the map and commanding units . The UI is frequently described as abysmal, broken, and deeply frustrating, making battles feel like a struggle against the interface rather than the AI . Issues include units not moving on command, inability to face them in desired directions, and problems with multi-unit selection .
Reliability and Performance tieR1R3R4R6
Total War Total War is plagued by frequent crashes, especially during large battles or after updates, making the game unplayable for many R1R3R4R6. Users report issues with the game not launching, freezing on the opening screen, or crashing at specific points in campaigns . Some experience screen resolution glitches or no sound .
ROME ROME also suffers from significant crashing issues, particularly during campaigns or large battles, with users reporting the game becoming unplayable after updates . Many report the game not loading, freezing, or becoming unresponsive to touch after updates . Sound issues are also noted .
Price and Value edge: ROMER7R8R15R28
Total War Total War is priced at $14.99, which some users consider expensive, especially given the additional cost for DLC to unlock the full game R7R8R15R28. Some feel it's a 'waste' to pay for the base game only to find more content locked behind further purchases R7R15. However, others believe it's 'worth it' for the big battles and cool strategy, despite the price R8.
ROME ROME costs $9.99, and many users consider it 'well worth the money' for the classic strategy experience . However, some find it a 'relatively expensive disappointment' given the mobile port's playability issues . There are also complaints about not being able to get a refund for a non-functional game after purchase .
AI and Gameplay Mechanics tieR13R24R26R32
Total War Total War's AI is criticized for lacking logic, with diplomacy issues forcing pointless wars and campaign mode becoming frustrating R13R32. Users report that soldiers often don't follow commands, archers charge instead of shooting, and the batting ram gets stuck R24R26. The campaign can be sluggish and boring R24.
ROME ROME's AI is also a source of frustration, with units not moving on command, especially when attacking cities . Users report issues with universal and incessant uprisings in cities, making settlements near impossible to control, and friendly AI units running forever . Some find the micro-management tedious .
Pick Total War if

you want a slightly newer Total War experience with more factions and content, are willing to pay a higher price, and hope for future updates to address stability and control issues R2.

Pick ROME if

you prefer the classic ROME: Total War experience, are looking for a slightly cheaper entry point, and are prepared to contend with similar stability and control challenges as Total War .

Evidence note: Both apps have a high number of negative reviews related to crashes and control issues, especially following recent updates. The lifetime ratings are high, suggesting that many users enjoyed the games before these issues became prevalent. The evidence for both apps is strong and consistent across multiple reviews for each dimension.

Frequently asked

Do these games have controller support?
Total War: MEDIEVAL II lacks controller support, which frustrates some users who find touch controls difficult and would prefer using devices like the Backbone Pro R12R40.
Are there in-app purchases or DLC for these games?
Total War: MEDIEVAL II requires additional payment for DLC to unlock the full game, which some users consider a 'waste' given the initial $14.99 purchase price R7R15R28.
Do these games support mods?
Both Total War: MEDIEVAL II and ROME: Total War users frequently request mod support to enhance replayability and add new content, with some noting that Android versions or PC versions have this capability R5R11R36R80.
Do these games have multiplayer?
Total War: MEDIEVAL II users hope for future updates to add multiplayer gameplay or multiplayer campaigns R35R50.
Are there language options for these games?
Total War: MEDIEVAL II currently lacks simplified Chinese support, making it difficult for some users to understand the game R37R44R46. ROME: Total War also has requests for Chinese language support R107.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R2] Total War 5/5 · US Best game: An amazing game and won worthy of the title with seventeen and more factions two choose from it is an amazing game,e
  2. [R5] Total War 5/5 · US please make it mod accessable: or have it like DOOM where they have pre installed mods built in. make it more replayable. even if you added 10 preinstalled mods we could use. it would still be amazing and add so much more replay value
  3. [R7] Total War 1/5 · US Waste: So you’re telling me I spent all this money just to have to pay even more money to unlock the other half of the game. What a waste!
  4. [R11] Total War 5/5 · US This game is awesome but will iOS support mod support like android: This port is probably the best one I have kingdoms as well but I’d say it lacks replay ability so can you please allow mobile mod support like on pc or androids I’m using iOS iPad and wanna play great mods like tsardoms Finale rating 5 stars
  5. [R12] Total War 3/5 · US Great port, but…: It needs control controller support, backbone pro or any controller support like that would make it so much easier. My fingers freeze up, my forearms and hands begin to cramp which has prevented me from playing this very fun title time and time again when I want to come back to it.
  6. [R15] Total War 3/5 · US Cavalry?: This game is a complete scam, you buy it for 15 dollars and then have to pay even more to unlock the full game, I don’t mind that much since the game is fun but what I find a huge problem is that even on easy battles one group of cavalry can’t kill 1 group of Norse archers cause of some stupid bug where either cavalry doesn’t run or when it does it doesn’t charge, it just runs at the ene
  7. [R21] Total War 3/5 · US Great game but hard to operate: This is my favorite PC game and it definitely caught my eye when I saw it was on mobile so I had to get it. I understand it’s hard turning a PC game to mobile but it’s pretty difficult to use the game. The graphics are very smooth but still it’s hard for me to even operate the game.
  8. [R24] Total War 3/5 · US Campaign: The campaign is so sluggish and boring even on the short mode And the combat is just annoying and your soldier won’t even do what you tell them to do and it never lets me move my soldier and go into my towns in the campaign
  9. [R1] Total War 1/5 · US Sucks: This game sucks AND it runs horribly. I can’t stress enough how horribly the game truly runs
  10. [R3] Total War 3/5 · US Big battles = crash: I loved this game back in the day, and was so excited to see it offered on a mobile platform. HOWEVER, don’t bother trying to fight the Mongols. Their armies are so huge, this app is almost guaranteed to crash. Beyond frustrating, especially after you’re already an hour or so invested in your carefully planned out and executed battle. Your options to reduce the graphics lo
  11. [R4] Total War 1/5 · US Crash: Crashes randomly all the time, latest iphone & ios
  12. [R6] Total War 3/5 · US Keep crashing: Keep crashing since the new update can’t spam cheat no more
  13. [R8] Total War 4/5 · US My personal ideas and thoughts on this game: This is a cool game and if you want to have big battles and cool strategy, then this is the game for you. Yes it does take a chunk of your bank account but it’s worth it. The reason for 4 stars is, well, the price. Also I don’t know if the developer would do this but, I think it would be cool if you could be one of the soldiers. This is my honest review
  14. [R28] Total War 1/5 · US Greed: The game is med 2 one of the best total wars it’s an amazing game and their phone version isn’t too bad, my issue is the greed with DLC you pay basically full price for the game which in steam gives you all the DLC since this game is very old instead they up charge every DLC and kick their new updates like hot-seat behind it most computers can run this game so if your just playing from home
  15. [R13] Total War 2/5 · US Love Hate Relationship: I love the game, but hate the mechanics. AI doesn’t operate with any logic. I like the battles, but the campaign mode gets too frustrating
  16. [R26] Total War 4/5 · US Archers charge into battle instead of shooting arrows: WTF- Cannot for the life of me stop my archers from charging into battle. Melee switched on or off, line of sight is good, guard mode activated… those guys just want to charge to their death! Just got this game on iPad to try out. Looked up online and this seems to be a problem for years. Very frustrating for someone trying to learn the ga
  17. [R32] Total War 5/5 · US FIX THE DIPLOMACY: Jesus Christ fix it already! The AI still refuses to make peace forcing me to have to fight pointless dumb wars! Fix the diplomacy on hard/ very hard difficulty pleas it’s so annoying!
  18. [R40] Total War 1/5 · US Amazing Game Unusable on M4 iPad with 2024 Magic Keyboard: I bought this game sight unseen because I’ve played it for countless hours on other platforms. That said, they’re charging $15 for it on newer devices (this game is over 15 years old) and the tracking on the newer Magic Keyboard does not work at all. This makes what should be an amazing tablet gaming experience borderline unplayable. If Fe
  19. [R36] Total War 3/5 · GB Need more units: Game is fun but unlike the pc version it can became stale. With the pc one we have the ability to access all the expansion kingdoms cool units and fractions in grand campaign. Good example is Greek flamethrowers. Byzantine’s have no gun power units but we can’t even get their best non gunpowder weapons in base game. Overall it’s fun for while but having the ability to mod or addin
  20. [R80] ROME 5/5 · US We need mods: Game great but it needs mod support like android I’m on iOS iPad
  21. [R35] Total War 5/5 · US I hope they add: Best game out there but I just wish they add multiplayer gameplay or multiplayer campaign
  22. [R50] Total War 5/5 · US New update: Do in next update (Multiplayer online)
  23. [R37] Total War 1/5 · US Dear Creative Assembly/SEGA team: Dear Creative Assembly/SEGA team: ** I am a strategy game enthusiast from China. I recently bought the iOS version of Total War: MEDIEVAL II on the App Store for **$9.9**. Although I appreciate the historical reduction and strategy depth of the game, unfortunately, the current version ** lacks simplified Chinese support**, which makes it very difficult for me to u
  24. [R44] Total War 5/5 · US Please Chinese: Chinese,please
  25. [R46] Total War 2/5 · US The game is good,but there is no Chinese.: The game is good, but there is no Chinese.
  26. [R107] ROME 5/5 · US All total war I buy, Chinese: Chinese

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store