The alliance forged between SEGA and The Creative Assembly has declared war on retail stores, as they prepare to invade them in just a few days with their now-gold Medieval II: Total War strategy title. The assault hasn't been prefectly coordinated, however, as the game will begin shipping in Europe this Friday on November 10, but will miss the weekend in North America - where it will only be released on Monday, November 14.

As proud successor of last year's Rome: Total War, the new Medieval II is already receiving some impressive critical response, with early reviews rating the game at over 90% (94% in PC Gamer UK, 91% in Gamestar and PC Zone, and 90% in PC Powerplay). Not bad at all, and it's great to see that the folks from The Creative Assembly are turning this into a habit.

Medieval II: Total War promises to be "one of the most complete strategy experiences available and a benchmark title within PC gaming":

"Turn based management, stunning real time battles, over 200 units, epic religious conflict, the advent of gunpowder and the discovery of South America all combine to make Medieval II: Total War the most eagerly anticipated PC RTS of 2006."

Set in the years 1080-1530 the most turbulent period in European history, the game combines a vast, deep-thinking turn-based strategy campaign with the most cinematic, epic and brutal real-time battles ever seen in the genre. A vastly enhanced version of the Total War engine vividly portrays the pure bloodlust of Medieval warfare with massive battles of more than 10,000 troops splayed across new graphically rich environments. For the first time in the Total War series each troop is an individual, garbed with the rich heraldic colours and glinting arms and armour of the period.

The Medieval 2 grand campaign will hand you the reins of one of an emerging faction as you set about sweeping throughout Europe, conquering all before you. Expand your borders and develop your lands for wealth and prosperity by building cities or swell your army by constructing vast castles to protect your land and keep your rivals quaking with fear.

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