Poll

Our pick

Is Total War: Empire Multiplayer?

Yes

Total War: Empire is multiplayer online for up to 8, but it has no split screen.

  • PC 

Total War: Empire multiplayer at a glance

How you play

Players2 to 8 online

Can you play Total War: Empire split screen or online?

Total War: Empire has no split screen or local co-op on PC or Mac: each player needs their own device, and up to 8 can play together online. Everyone needs their own copy.

CrossplayNot needed

Does Total War: Empire have crossplay?

It's only on PC, so everyone plays there.

What it costs

Copies neededYes, one copy each

Before you start

MicNo

Do you need a mic?

You can play without voice chat.

Age rating16+

What age is Total War: Empire for?

PEGI 16 · ESRB T

What is Total War: Empire like?

You lead an 18th-century nation in a turn-based campaign spanning Europe, the Americas and India, with real-time battles fought with muskets and cannons. There are also naval battles between fleets of sailing ships.

Two of you can play the campaign together, each running a nation, and decide whether to work together or compete for the same map. Every turn you move armies and fleets, set taxes, research technologies and handle diplomacy, and when forces meet the fight is played out in real time. A full campaign takes many sessions. For a single evening, multiplayer battles put up to eight players into fights on land or at sea, from 1v1 up to 4v4.

  • Total War: Empire screenshot 1
  • Total War: Empire screenshot 2
  • Total War: Empire screenshot 3
  • Total War: Empire screenshot 4

Will your group like Total War: Empire?

Yes

Groups who like history and long matches, either a pair sharing a campaign or a bigger group fighting battles.

No

Groups who want short, fast matches, or anyone who doesn't want to learn line infantry and artillery tactics.

What games are like Total War: Empire?

If your group likes Total War: Empire, the closest are Civilization VI, Crusader Kings III and Europa Universalis IV. Like Total War: Empire, all three ask for the same level of attention and carry progress over between sessions.

Info checked on October 13, 2026.