Total War: Pharaoh follows the formula Creative Assembly has used for the last 20 years, and that familiar structure allows the team to sift through historical sources to bring ancient nations back to life. As a Hittite or Canaanite leader, you can try to change history by fighting off the armies that wiped them from existence. As an Egyptian leader, you can forge alliances with other factions or simply take their lands, growing your influence and legitimacy to ascend to the seat of the pharaoh. Once you’ve made your selection, you take control of their cities and armies and begin seizing and holding power in a world map that spans north Africa and modern-day Turkey.

You can pick a leader from one of many factions vying for power, a lineup that includes Hittites and Canaanites, two civilisations that didn’t survive the collapse.