Total War Turns 25: New Projects and Snake Ladies Galore, But Will the Spell Actually Work?

AI Gaming News Author · Rock Paper Shotgun · Fri Oct 17 2025

Creative Assembly's brewing a potent mix of new Total War content, including Warhammer III's 'Tides of Torment' DLC and big 25th-anniversary project reveals, but the community's still wondering if they've figured out how to cast a stable AI spell.

Right, so apparently Creative Assembly and Sega have been brewing up quite the potion for December 4th. You know that feeling when you cast a spell and it works a bit too well, and suddenly you're covered in glitter and mildly confused? That's kinda the vibe I'm getting from the latest Total War news, which is a glorious mishmash of new DLC, a major franchise anniversary, and some tantalising hints about the future. But hold on, mate, before we get swept away in the hype, there's a few pesky goblins in the room we need to talk about.

First off, let's talk snakes. Loads of 'em. Total War: Warhammer III is getting its 'Tides of Torment' DLC, landing on that very same December 4th. If you're into serpentine ladies, sea serpents, and staffs that look like they've been pilfered from Medusa's accessory drawer, you're in for a treat. This pack brings three new Legendary Lords to the table, representing the High Elves, Slaanesh, and Norsca. And honestly, who doesn't love a bit of High Elf finesse or Norscan brutality? It's all very Total War, isn't it?

Now, Creative Assembly (bless 'em) also threw in a little golden nugget for the thrifty wizards among us. Alongside the paid DLC, Patch 7.0 will drop, bringing a new free Legendary Lord: The Masque of Slaanesh. This pirouetting daemon once decided to dance at Slaanesh in a sarcastic manner – which, fair dinkum, I didn't even know was possible. I mean, imagine the sheer audacity! Naturally, Slaanesh, being Slaanesh, cursed them to jig and caper for all eternity. It sounds like a hoot and promises a brand-new campaign experience for the excess-driven forces. Plus, the High Elves, Slaanesh, and Norsca will get some 'legacy updates' to spruce up their older campaigns. Good stuff, right? A bit of free magic never hurt anyone.

But here's where things get properly interesting, like when you accidentally summon a minor demon instead of a familiar. December 4th isn't just about snake ladies and free dancing demons. It's also Total War's 25th anniversary, and Creative Assembly and Sega are hosting a showcase to 'unveil what's next for the franchise'. We're talking 'new fantasy and historical project announcements, alongside commentary from the development teams shaping the future of Total War.' My ears perked up so fast I nearly knocked over my cauldron. Twenty-five years! It feels like only yesterday I was defending Mikawa province against three factions simultaneously in the original Total War: Shogun, sweating over every unit choice. The sheer scope and ambition of this series over a quarter-century is something genuinely worth celebrating.

New fantasy? New historical? The possibilities are buzzing like a stray firefly. Will we finally see a truly grand new historical title, perhaps diving into a period less explored? Or another fantastical romp, maybe something completely unexpected beyond Warhammer? The speculation alone is enough to get any gamer's heart pumping. Creative Assembly has built a legacy of epic strategy, and the thought of what they might cook up next is genuinely exciting.

However, like any good wizard knows, every powerful spell comes with a drawback. And for all the glimmer and promise, there's a rather large, smelly, and frankly broken-looking troll stomping around the room: Total War: Warhammer III's current state. If we're being honest, the community isn't exactly in a celebratory mood right now. The game's Steam user rating is stuck in 'Mixed to Mostly Negative' territory, a stark contrast to its once lofty standing. Players are raging about everything from the sometimes-bonkers DLC pricing to, critically, the AI problems that have plagued the game for what feels like an age. And let's not even get started on the communication – or lack thereof – from Creative Assembly itself. It's like they've cast an invisibility spell on themselves right when we need them most.

I mean, what's the point of adding fantastic new snake ladies and pirouetting demons if the AI commanding them can barely figure out how to recruit troops, let alone mount a strategic defence? It's like having the most potent spellbook in the world but all your incantations keep fizzling out at the crucial moment. You've got the flash, but where's the fundamental functionality? Players want innovation, sure, but they also want the core game to work as advertised, especially from a franchise as venerable and respected as Total War. The 'what' is exciting, but the 'why it matters to players' demands addressing the 'how it plays'.

This is where my gentle skepticism kicks in, mate. Are these big, shiny new project announcements a genuine forward push, a sign of grand plans to revitalise the franchise and recapture its former glory? Or are they, dare I say, a slightly desperate attempt to distract from the current issues with Warhammer III? When a company struggles with its flagship title but immediately pivots to 'what's next,' it makes a clever observer wonder if they're fixing the foundations or just building another storey on a wobbly base. We want to believe in the magic, but we've seen enough conjuring tricks in the gaming industry to know a puff of smoke when we smell one.

So, as we approach December 4th, I find myself in a peculiar state of optimistically chaotic curiosity. I'm genuinely stoked for new Total War projects – the idea is fantastic! But I'm also hoping Creative Assembly isn't just 'explaining what's next for the franchise' but also 'explaining how they're going to fix what's already here.' We can fit in a hymn to the glory days of Total War, absolutely, but it's got to come alongside some serious criticism of the missteps. Here's hoping the magic they're brewing isn't just smoke and mirrors, but a truly potent spell that addresses both the future *and* the present challenges. Our grand strategy deserves nothing less.

Original article by Edwin Evans-Thirlwell for Rock Paper Shotgun, published October 17, 2025. You can find the full piece.

Tags: Total War, Warhammer, Strategy Games, Creative Assembly, Gaming News

Original article: Rock Paper Shotgun