Shogun: Total War vs Rome: Total War - Alexander
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, ratings, and alternatives.

Shogun: Total War blends deep turn‑based strategy with massive real‑time battles, letting players manage clans, diplomacy, and economics across feudal Japan. Lead your samurai armies across detailed battlefields, employing terrain, morale, and unit types to dominate opponents. The game pioneered the Total War series, offering a historically rich campaign, robust AI, and a multiplayer mode that pits commanders against each other in strategic conquest.
Rome: Total War - Alexander expands the classic Total War engine with a focused campaign on Alexander the Great's historic campaigns. Players manage empire building, diplomacy, and massive tactical battles across the ancient world. The expansion adds new units, maps, and a refined AI, delivering both single‑player and multiplayer challenges for fans of historical strategy and turn‑based gameplay.
- Deep strategic depth combining turn‑based and real‑time gameplay
- Highly detailed and authentic Japanese setting
- Robust AI provides challenging single‑player experience
- Active modding community extends replayability
- Deep strategic layer with empire management.
- Authentic historical units and maps.
- Robust single‑player and multiplayer options.
- Cross‑platform play on PC and iOS.
- Outdated graphics compared to modern RTS titles
- Steep learning curve for new players
- Limited multiplayer matchmaking options
- Graphics are dated compared to modern titles.
- Steep learning curve for newcomers.
- Limited fantasy elements may deter some players.
More alternatives & similar tools
Alternatives to Shogun: Total War
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Lead Alexander's conquests in a deep turn‑based strategy experience.
Alternatives to Rome: Total War - Alexander
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Lead the ancient world through the fall of Rome in this epic expansion

Conquer the world in a seamless blend of turn-based empire building and real-time battles
The Verdict
AI-generated from listing dataRome: Total War – Alexander offers a cheaper, cross‑platform experience focused on Alexander’s conquests, while Shogun: Total War provides higher‑rated, deeper Japanese content at a higher price.
Key differences
- •Price: $19.99 vs $39.99.
- •Platform: Rome: Total War – Alexander runs on PC and iOS; Shogun: Total War only on PC (not specified for iOS).
- •Critical reception: 70/100 vs 90/100.
- •Historical focus: Alexander’s empire vs feudal Japan with distinct unit types and weather effects.
- •Multiplayer capacity: Rome supports hot‑seat and online; Shogun supports up to eight players but limited matchmaking.
Gameplay & fun factor
Both combine turn‑based empire management with real‑time battles featuring thousands of units.
Platform availability
Rome: Total War – Alexander runs on PC and iOS; Shogun: Total War only listed for PC.
Price & value
Rome costs $19.99, half the price of Shogun’s $39.99, offering similar core features.
Multiplayer / co‑op
Rome includes hot‑seat and online play; Shogun supports up to eight players but has limited matchmaking.
Content & replayability
Shogun’s higher critic score (90) and detailed Japanese setting suggest richer content and replay value.
Difficulty & accessibility
Both note a steep learning curve for newcomers.
Graphics & performance
Both are described as having outdated graphics compared to modern titles.
Choose Shogun: Total War if…
Players seeking the highest critical acclaim and deeper Japanese historical immersion.
Choose Rome: Total War - Alexander if…
Budget‑conscious players who want iOS support and Alexander’s campaign.
Common questions
Is the higher price of Shogun justified?
Shogun scores 90/100 versus Rome’s 70/100, indicating stronger critical reception despite costing twice as much.
Can I play either game on my iPad?
Only Rome: Total War – Alexander is listed as cross‑platform on iOS; Shogun: Total War has no iOS availability.
Which game offers more multiplayer options?
Rome provides hot‑seat and online multiplayer; Shogun supports up to eight players but lacks robust matchmaking.




