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Shogun 2 - 2 words, stable & beautiful.

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Also, you lost me at "I think Rome 2 is the best now that it has been patched."
Playable & mildly entertaining game, sure.
Best in the franchise? not in a million years.

Rome 1!

Personally it's Medieval II, but aside from the gameplay aspects, it's Rome 1

Rome 1 was the best, followed by Medieval 2 then Shogun 2. I haven't played Med 1 or Rome 2

How bout none.

Shogun 2 by far, although Medieval 2 and Rome 1 are strong contenders, they are outmatched by how perfectly rounded Shogun 2 is.

Definitely Rome 1 but now that you've reminded me I'm gonna go play some Rome 2 (or maybe wolfenstein...)

Shogun 2, without a doubt.If they weren't raped the game with DLC's, I'd buy it.I'll probably buy it in the next sale anyway.

Rome 2 is the WORST.Not stable, pain in the ass to end a turn,lags like hell,full of bugs.Most patched a.k.a. "best" version of it still slow and full of bugs.

Medieval 2 All the way, I've never played Shogun 2, but Fall of the Samurai follows close 2nd.

I am listing the awesome things about the games I've played

Shogun: Music, Intro to Japanese history, The mongol invasion campaign

Medieval: Dark ages atmosphere, Viking Invasion campaign

Rome: Moddability. Entirely new game settings can be made on this engine. I myself am trying to make a mod.

Medieval 2: Uniform variations within units

Empire: Naval battles! World map! The American Civil War mod.

Napoleon: The Great War mod. Screw Napoleon.

Shogun 2: Smooth battle sequences.

I haven't played Rome 2 yet.