The available factions in the game, aside from the Vikings obviously, are the Irish, the Scots, the Welsh, the Saxons, the Picts, the Mercians and the Northumbrians, each of which has their own units and unique balance of advantages and disadvantages.

In keeping with this setting, the entire game is set in and around the British Isles this time, with the only territories on the map outside of England being the bases from which the Vikings launch their attacks. If the title wasn't enough of a hint, then the scary bearded men (looking a little like Kristan when he aims for the rugged, stubbly look in fact) on the front cover of the box should be a dead giveaway - this game brings the focus of Medieval: Total War back into the depths of the Dark Ages, and deals with the territorial and plundering ambitions of a bunch of rather unruly Scandinavians with funny hats. With those pleasantries out of the way, let's get down to the meat of what's on offer in Viking Invasion.

If you haven't played Medieval, go and buy a copy of that before you even consider the expansion pack if you didn't enjoy Medieval, or it didn't appeal to you, look elsewhere, because there's nothing here to change your mind. Reviewing an expansion pack for a game is always an interesting task, so let's make something clear from the outset - if you're reading this, I'm going to assume that you've played and enjoyed Medieval: Total War, a rather wonderful and completely engrossing, if very hardcore, PC strategy title which we awarded a coveted 9/10 score when we reviewed it last October.

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