I began Russia's campaign for Empire: Total War a couple of days ago. Many things are different than the Rome or Medieval 2 Total War games, including detailed naval combat, a greater emphasis on trade, and appointing your own ministers in order to give bonuses on diplomacy, trade, and military production (or penalties if he is incompetent) just to name a few. And the tactical land combat is obviously different as 18th century warfare was much different than during the 14th century.
Before I go on, a reminder that I can't seem to get in-game screen shots, but I think they won't be so critical.
As this is my first time playing the Empire TW campaign, I opted for the short game. Objective: occupy twenty regions including Sweden and parts of Poland by the end of 1750. As early 18th century Russia was socially and technologically backward compared to the European powers, my first goal is obvious: drag Russia kicking and screaming into the modern world. At this early stage, Russia's military and economy pale in comparison to my immediate Western neighbors: Sweden and Poland. These are the same nations I need to vanquish in order to win. And to make it more interesting, I am on less than friendly relations with the Ottoman Empire. Hell, Russia starts out at war with them! This means I need to maintain decent relations with the Western border powers early in the game while I work to keep the Ottomans at bay, my second goal. I need to strike at a few of the Turks' key towns along Russia's southern border as a show of force and curb any advances. Perhaps the Ottomans would sue for peace after I show them Russia's might.
The trick is to pursue my initial goals while keeping the Russian people loyal and content or at least tame. This new TW game has the revolution aspect: if your people are unhappy, they'll let you know. Just ask Louis XVI. :)
Oh yes. I should look east too, but that frontier is rather limited in game terms.
I am still in the middle of the first turn but a few things have occurred. I fired and replaced my Finance and Naval ministers with men more competent in administration and began positioning a few troops to my western borders in case Poland or Sweden should take advantage of my conflict against the Turks. Also, I began improving my major infrastructure throughout the kingdom.
Still slowly working my way through so not much else to report at this time. Hopefully things will go well.
Until next time...
