Empire: Total War, the latest installment of developer Creative Assembly’s Total War RTS franchise, was the bestselling PC title in the States during March, according to the NPD Group. 

Set in the 18th century, the Sega published title maintains the series’ 3D battles and turn based campaign map while for the first time introducing 3D naval combat to the franchise.

A new entry on the monthly chart, Empire: Total War held off competition from February's two bestsellers, World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King and The Sims 2 Double Deluxe, to take the top spot. 

Here’s the full top 20, with last month’s chart position appearing in brackets: 

1. (*) Empire: Total War (Sega of America)
2. (1) World Of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King (Activision Blizzard)
3. (2) The Sims 2 Double Deluxe (Electronic Arts)
4. (3) Warhammer 40,000: Dawn Of War II (THQ)
5. (4) World Of Warcraft: Battle Chest (Activision Blizzard)
6. (7) World Of Warcraft (Activision Blizzard)
7. (8) The Sims 2 Apartment Life Expansion Pack (Electronic Arts)
8. (6) Spore (Electronic Arts)
9. (10) World Of Warcraft: Burning Crusade (Activision Blizzard)
10. (*) Mystery Case Files: Return To Ravenhearst (Activision Blizzard)
11. (12) Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3 (Electronic Arts)
12. (17) Starcraft: Battle Chest (Activision Blizzard)
13. (9) Fallout 3 (Bethesda Softworks)
14. (15) Civilization IV (Take-Two)
15. (*) Empire: Total War Collector's Ed (Sega of America)
16. (20) The Sims 2 Pets Expansion Pack (Electronic Arts)
17. (*) Warhammer Online: Age Of Reckoning (Electronic Arts)
18. (*) The Sims 2 University Expansion Pack (Electronic Arts)
19. (11) Call Of Duty: World At War (Activision Blizzard)
20. (*) Diablo Battle Chest (Activision Blizzard)