Rome: Total War
Review of Rome: Total War. The Epic Strategy Game by the Creative Assembly. 2004
The Year is 270 BCE. Prior to the Punic Wars, Rome is gaining Power in Italy. While not 100% historically accurate, the game puts you into history, as the Ruler of 1 of 3 Roman Families. All of whom are vying for the support of both the Roman People, and the Senate. Otherwise known as the SPQR. You have nearly 300 years, or 600 turns, to conquer the known world, and eventually, enter Civil War against your Roman Brothers, and seize control of the City of Rome.
But the game has much more other than that! Aside from the Romans, the eastern World is still reeling from the death of Alexander the Great. And his Generals have divvied up his Empire into their own. All clashing with eachother. Though, again, these "factions" lack some Historical Accuracy. But, other than the Hellenic Factions, or the Roman Factions. There the Barbarians north of Rome. And of course. Rome's largest Rival. Carthage.
Looking aside historical inaccuracies the game is about giving you control of Total War. The Ancient World is in Conflict, and everyone is a target. Forge Alliances, Build cities, armies, tear through the landscape on the Road to Domination. Controlling the game from 2 Points of Interest. The Campaign Map, and the Battle Map. The Campaign Map runs on a Turn-Based System, where you build your cities, recruit units, and enact war, or Diplomacy. While the Battle Map gives you Real Time control of your Army against your enemies.
Rome, unlike it's 2 predecessors used a 3D engine, and more controllable Campaign Map. With vastly improved graphics, and far superior gameplay. The game's scripting also made easy to mod. And the fans of the series have constantly rebuilt the game in their own desires. Some looking for realism and Historical Accuracy. Others aiming for creativity. None can say, Rome has no Replay value. My Review of this game:
Graphics: 4/5 Compared to it's predecessors, the graphics were out of the ball park. And the game was even used for Television Shows to simulate Ancient Battles. From 2004, the graphics match up to most of the era. And with the Epic scale of the game, they are as good as they could've been.
Combat: 5/5 This is the Highlight of the game, from most people's eyes. Combat is not participated in, by you. It's controlled by you. You are the General. You control your massive armies, much in the same way you control units in an RTS game. But far more Epic, and you can zoom right into the heart of the battle, and see your tactics play out.
Setting: 5/5 A fan of History, the setting is perfect. A historical setting, with a few Historical Inaccuracies. But the game is by no means historically accurate. Once the game starts, History is up to you!
Characters: 3/5 This game is played without a story. There are objectives. You are the only character there needs to be. But you have your Royal Family, and your Generals. Diplomats and Spies. Even Assassins. Some characters of the Game come from Actual History. But they play no role in Plot.
Music: 4/5 The music is great. Orchestrated. The only problem, it has to repeat. But every game will have that problem. The sound track uses themes based on what part of the map you are at. Good Variety of music. enough that you wont hate it.
My Rating: 85% Numbers mean little when I rate a game. This game is A+, and my All Time Favourite PC game. While having it's own Historical Inaccuracies; this game spawned my love of History. It spawned my love for Learning. Anyone who enjoys strategy games, warfare, or History, should definitely check out this Title.
Rome: Total War spawned 2 Official Expansions. Barbarian Invasion and Alexander. Barbarian Invasion takes place 350 years after Rome ends. During the Fall of Rome. The Dawn of the Catholic, and Barbarian World. The Dark Ages. While Alexander takes place 100 years Prior to Rome. However, this expansion made a change to how the Campaign was played. Being in control of only Alexander's Macedonian Empire. Though, with a new map, and a more focused game. The Single Player Lacked, but the new units were a favorable change for Online Players, and Modders.
Rome also spawned a new generation of Video Game Modders. Total War is the DOOM of Strategy Games. With hundreds of Modifications of the game available FREE, from modders, usually working in teams. Who change the games Skins, Sprites, Time frame, Map, and more. If you are tired of Rome, there is much more you can play with the game.
Review by: Joe "Frederich" Schulz