The Italian Campaign in Napoleon: Total War is the first campaign available in the story mode. It is set in Northern Italy during the War of the First Coalition in 1796. It is required to unlock the Egyptian Campaign.
France is the only playable faction in singleplayer. In multiplayer, both France and Austria are available.
Description[]
The new, revolutionary Republic of France is under threat from all the old reactionary nations of Europe! It is clear that there are no options other than war, and the utter ruination of France is the only aim of Austria and France's other enemies. The Austrians are motivated by fear: they fear their own people will follow the same revolutionary path.
The Austrians can be confronted in Germany and northern Italy. Austria's possessions in Italy are ready for liberation! The other states of Italy are watching, but should not be able to stand against the righteous anger of the French people!
General "Napoleone di Buonaparte", in charge of the Army of Italy's artillery, has been appointed to command the entire army. It is his duty to hold onto France's territory in the Italian peninsular. That is, however, an ambitious and skilful man and he plans to drive the Austrians out of Italy and back to the gates of Vienna.
Opening Narration
Napoleon total war Italian campaign intro
Some men live a simple life, while others have a fire that threatens to engulf the world. I do not know when the fire in Napoleon first burned. Perhaps he had always had a destiny. But sometimes destiny can use a little help, or even a revolution. The old ways were drowned in a tide of blood. A man could be whatever he wanted, if he could weather the storm. In 1796, Napoleon was sent to command the Army of Italy. We knew that Austria would fight in Germany. We knew the Italian campaign had become pointless. Napoleon thought differently. That was his talent. "I will lead you through the most fertile plains in the world. You will find there honour, glory and riches!" he told us. The soldiers listened, but they didn’t believe. They had long been without hope, without glory.
Advisor Text
It is a crucial time in the war between France and the Coalition. With the majority of French forces engaging Austria in the Rhineland, you have been placed in command of the destitute Armée d’Italie near the French-Italian border. Faced with impending invasion from Austrian forces stationed in Italy, it is vital that you address your army’s dire situation and secure a foothold in the region before setting your sights on Austria itself; capture Klagenfurt and your forces will have a clear path to Vienna. The stronghold of Mantua may prove to be a challenging obstacle, although its seizure is vital if you hope to weaken the Austrian position in Italy. You will also face resistance from Austria’s Coalition ally, the Kingdom of Piedmont-Sardinia. Subjugating this nation, along with any other Italian states that stand in your way, will ensure you sufficient resources to crush the Austrians and overthrow the Coalition once and for all.
Victory Narration
Napoleon total war Italian campaign ending
We cheered his name. We cheered for France. For victory. Because we had lived. Now we trusted him. We were the Little Corporal’s soldiers. The Austrians did not cheer. They feared this rustic Corsican. Their pride was stung: beaten by an uncouth man. Pride did not stop them making peace. For a time. "I foresaw what I might be," Napoleon said, "I felt the earth flee before me as if I was carried into the sky."
Singleplayer[]
Victory Conditions[]
Capture and hold 6 regions by the end of your turn in Late December 1797, including: Alps-Maritime and Carinthia.
Basics at start[]
- Protectorates – None
- Allies – None
- Trade Partners – None
- Enemies – Austria, Piedmont-Sardinia
- Religion – Catholicism
- Government – Republic
- Ruler – Louis la Révellière-Lépeaux (President)
- Population – 457,702
- Wealth – Moderate
- Power – Terrifying
- Treasury – 3000
- Technology - None (Disabled in this campaign)
- Spies – None (Disabled in this campaign)
- Gentlemen - None (Disabled in this campaign)
- Generals - Jean-André Masséna (Alps-Maritime), Jean Sérurier (Alps Maritime), Napoleon Bonaparte (Liguria)
- Admirals - None (Disabled in this campaign)
Regions[]
Nice, Alps-Maritime[]
- Starting Buildings – Tax Office, Cantonment
- Infrastructure - Basic Roads
- Population – 457,702
- Wealth – 1102
- Religion – 100.0% Catholicism
- Starting Towns/Ports – Antibes (Commercial Centre - Market)
Armies[]
Jean-André Masséna[]
- General's Staff
- 1 Revolutionary Infantry
- 1 National Guard
- Stationed in Nice
Jean Sérurier[]
- General's Staff
- 1 Chasseurs à Cheval
- 1 6-Iber Foot Artillery
- 1 Chasseurs
- 2 Revolutionary Infantry
- 1 National Guard
- Stationed in Alps-Maritime
Napoleon Bonaparte[]
- Napoleon Bonaparte
- 1 Dragoons
- 2 6-Iber Foot Artillery
- 1 Grenadiers of the Line
- 1 Fusiliers of Line
- 2 Revolutionary Infantry
- 1 National Guard
- Stationed in Liguria
The Italian Campaign serves as an introduction to the full campaigns of Napoleon: Total War. Certain features, such as technologies, agents, most of the building tree, government, and tax adjustment are absent, leaving the player free to focus on the basics of combat and management. The Italy Campaign is unique in its very short duration: the campaign allows play for only a maximum of 43 turns. This means that France must move fairly rapidly or face automatic loss from time limit.
Starting with just one faction in the far-westernmost reaches of the map, France initially faces Piedmont-Sardinia to the north and east. Piedmont-Sardinia ends hostilities and becomes France's protectorate with the fall of its capital. Austria is France's main rival and holds much of northern and north-eastern Italy. Venice declares war on France when its armies begin approaching its lands, as do the Papal States. The south-western Italian states, Tuscany and Lucca, usually remain neutral for most of the campaign, requesting an alliance in the late game.
Missions Issued[]
| Mission Title | Description | Success Message |
|---|---|---|
| In Defiance of The Pope | Further to recent affronts upon our glorious nation by the Papal States, they have now set about harassing our forces in the region. We could use this newfound aggression from the Vatican to our advantage; the Papal States are notoriously wealthy and their riches would serve our war efforts well. March on Ancona and we will be one step closer to Rome - the Pope will have no choice but to meet any demands we make when he is faced with conquest at the hands of the mighty French Republic! The Papal States will be compelled to make peace. | As your armies storm onward through Papal States territory, the Pope has sent forth emissaries to meet with you. Intent on avoiding a full-scale French invasion of Rome, the Vatican has agreed to pay our nation a considerable sum whilst formally returning ownership of the city of Avignon to us. Furthermore, your forces have officially been given free-reign to seize treasures from the Vatican, and many great works of art may be taken to Paris where they will become a part of the great Musée Napoléon. Bound to Rome and the Vatican, the Pope will now pose no further threat to your exploits in Northern Italy. |
| A Matter of Supply | If we are to have any hope of driving a path through to Austria, it is imperative that we keep our regiments at full combat-effectiveness. With the majority of French military resources deployed on the German front, the Armée d'Italie has been left without access to some of our nation's finest troops. By establishing a supply post in one of our commercial centres, we will be able to maintain the strength and numbers of all our troop types, their scarcity in the region notwithstanding. | Now that you have resolved the issue of supply, regiments serving in the Armée d'Italie will be able to effectively maintain their strength and numbers. Through intelligent use of the exceptional troops that have accompanied you into Italy, you will be able to continue using them to your advantage throughout your campaign regardless of their scarcity in the region. |
| The Invasion of Venice | In spite of their long-standing neutrality, the Republic of Venice now finds itself at odds with our forces in Italy. Recent conflicts between our two nations have driven Venetian insurgents to commit acts of aggression against French citizens in the region. Show them what it means to incur the wrath of the mighty French Republic; conquer Venice and strip them of their power and dignity! Venice will be compelled to make peace. | This is an historic occasion! After centuries of vainglorious independence, the Republic of Venice has been brought to heel by the Armée d'Italie. Venice has known many a year of enlightenment and expression, and the city is rife with treasures and prestigious artefacts. As well as furthering our war efforts against Austria with the assets and indemnities reaped here today, you may further our nation's glory - and your own - by returning the city's finest works of art to Paris where they may become part of the Musée Napoléon. |
| The Liberation of Milan | The noble people of Milan have suffered Austrian occupation for many years, and yearn to be free of their influence. Liberate them from this oppression and they will surely welcome you with open arms! | Having ousted the Austrians from the former Duchy of Milan, an administration whose loyalties lie with France has now been established in the region. An independent Italian state - the Transpadane Republic - has been formed, answerable to and under the protection of the French Republic. Having rallied the people to your cause, the regions of Lombardy will prove an invaluable base from which to launch further offensives into Austrian territory. |
| The Liberation of Modena | Mon General! Our scouts bring word that the people of Modena have little love for their Austrian occupiers, yet they regard the French favourably. The Duchy is well-placed and wealthy; we would do well to liberate these lands and use their resources to our own advantage. | In a bid to unify the surrounding provinces, you have declared that the Cispadane Republic is to be formed - an independent Italian state answerable to and under the protection of the French Republic. This will strengthen your influence in the region and provide you with essential resources with which to launch further offensives into Austrian territory. |
| A New Republic | Now that the people of Transpadania and Cispadania have been liberated from unwanted foreign influence, you have decreed that they be unified into a single Italian state under the protection of France: the Cisalpine Republic. As well as allowing us to maintain a firm control over these regions, fervent Italian troops have been rallied to our cause; a Lombardy Legion to fight for the good of the republic! | - |
| To Subjugate a Kingdom | For too many years has the Kingdom of Piedmont-Sardinia been a thorn in our side. Their persistent affiliation with the enemies of the Republic and their incursions upon French soil must be put to an end; storm Turin and bring the Kingdom to its knees! Piedmont-Sardinia will become your protectorate. | Following a number of defeats at your hands, King Victor Amadeus of Piedmont-Sardinia has called for an end to hostilities, cowed at the prospect of seeing his nation crushed before the might of the French Republic. As well as abandoning the coalition against our glorious nation and officially relinquishing all former claims to Nice and its surrounding regions, the Kingdom of Piedmont-Sardinia has agreed to grant the Armée d'Italie full military access to its lands. Your deeds here today will have seriously compromised the Austrian's position in the region and have brought us one step closer to defeating our enemies. |
| The Stronghold | Mon General, our forces draw near to the Austrian stronghold of Mantua. Although the garrison there is impressive, I recommend that we move to wrest it from Austrian control. It is is well supplied with arms and artillery and would prove an invaluable base from which to launch further offensives into Austria. | In spite of its mighty walls and staunch defenders, you have managed to seize control of the stronghold at Mantua. As well as allowing us to secure fresh artillery pieces, we have managed to considerably weaken Austria's foothold in the region whilst strengthening our own. Our Austrian enemies are helpless faced with the might of your armies, and it will not be long now before we take this war into their homelands! |
| The March on Vienna | Mon General! Now that you have assumed command of the Armée d'Italie, you must prepare for the invasion of Austria. As we speak, our forces in the Rhineland are readying to advance into the Tyrol. If we are to have any hope of seizing Vienna, we must be in a position to support our forces when the time comes. To this end, we have been charged by the Directoire to invade Carinthia and capture Klagenfurt, from whence we will be able to stage our glorious march on Vienna! A clear path to Vienna | Glorious news, mon General! Your recent successes across northern Italy and our subsequent conquest of Klagenfurt have driven Austria into a state of terror! Compelled by our impending invasion of Vienna, Emperor Franz has sent forth envoys and sued for peace. Thanks to your superlative military actions, an end has been put to this coalition against France. Your authority, as well as that of the republic, are now assured. Vive la République! |
Diplomacy[]
Initial diplomacy map
France is initially unfriendly to hostile with most factions. Tuscany and Lucca are both fairly neutral, making them valuable trade partners or even allies in the long run. France's main concerns are hostile Piedmont-Sardinia, Venice, and Austria. Austria, the primary opponent of the campaign, cannot be negotiated with.
Below is a chart of grievances and friendships other factions have toward France (factions that are not listed are neutral). Both positive and negative values diminish by 1 per turn over time.
| Lucca | The Papal States | Venice |
|---|---|---|
| -50 | -50 | -95 |
Below is a chart of grievances and friendships Tuscany has toward other factions:
| Lucca | The Papal States | Venice |
|---|---|---|
| -50 | -50 | -135 |
Multiplayer[]
The Italy Campaign is also available for multiplayer. There are some differences in the map in terms of diplomacy and initial strength. Austria is playable in multiplayer. Its goal is the capture of Nice in the campaign.
Several factions are added to the map, including Genoa, Modena, and Parma. These factions occupy lands that belong to Piedmont-Sardinia and Austria in singleplayer, serving to make these factions relatively poorer. In addition, Venice is no longer automatically peaceful with Austria, and may indeed declare war on it.
Austria's early advantage in terms of regions held is tempered by some disadvantages. Its armies hold no edge in any area over their French counterparts. In addition, its light infantry and light cavalry (Grenzers and Hungarian Hussars, respectively) can only be trained in its capital region of Klagenfurt, significantly limiting their availability and replenishment rate on the world map. Should Austria be able to pacify Venice and consolidate its holdings in northern Italy quickly, however, it holds the economic advantage over France.