Rome: Total War Gold Edition

After playing Shogun: Total War, I moved into Age of Empires. Don't get me wrong that Empires is probably one of the best PC games available 2 normal humans, but it grew tiring destroying the same things over & over, & before I knew it, I had found myself in a gaming rut.

That's when I stumbled onto Rome: Total War on one of my late-night Amazon expeditions. At the asking price (around $15), how could I say no?! I rushed home from work 2 days later & installed it immediately. What I found was gameplay similar 2 Shogun, but with new features, armies, & a whole new experience. For those who are "history buffs" such as myself, you will find an appreciation in the developers ability 2 describe history without sacrificing much accuracy in favor of gameplay. And 4 those who are looking 4 a brutal, violent recreation of a scene right out of Gladiator or 300, you can always go 2 "Custom" or "Quick Battle" & get your kill on in about 5 minutes. I will admit that some controls take a little getting used to, as well as an understanding of unit abilities & basically learning the ropes in the Art of War, but you'll be literally stuck 2 your computer 4 atleast 4 hours at a time, & considering that the in-game helpers (Marcus & "Lady" as I dubbed her) are more than willing 2 assist you in affairs of combat & state, you will pick it up in actually no time at all.

As a student of war (Army), I enjoy military history as well as battlefield tactics. And while this is 100% perfect, its about a 99.5 in my book. The ability 2 move certain troops & 2 launch ambushes, flank maneuvers, & counter-attacks made me feel just like Hannibal or Patton. There's literally nothing more satisfying than using light infantry & shock cavalry 2 lure your enemy into a dreaded double-envelope or 2 see them run in terror at your General or your ferocious wardogs.

Buy this game.

In Rome: Total War, you play on 2 maps. The Campaign Map, & the Battle Map. I haven't tried Barbarian Invasion yet, but I do enjoy Rome without it so far. That said, what I say here may be inaccurate if you install Barbarian Invasion.
In Rome, you play as a Roman Faction: the Julii, the Brutii, or the Scipii. You have 2 order the production of buildings, units, & fortresses. You build armies as you go around & conquer settlements, & defeat enemies. The battles on the battle map are really fun, incorporating strategy with sheer force. The graphics are not bad, but in the Battle Map, if you zoom in enough, you really know the people are fake.Rome has a good tutorial & easy enough controls.(Come on, It's just clicking mostly) The time I do find myself frustrated is when it loads the battle map. (It may take up 2 Half an Hour on my computer, but no more than that) But in the end, the battles are good enough 2 keep me playing. Also, you will definitely be challenged in this game. I dont care how much experience you have had with RTS/Empire Builder games, this is a challenging game. You can negotiate with rival factions, assassinate generals, & spy on armies & settlements. Multiplayer, has much 2 be desired, however. Really, you shouldn't get this game 4 the multiplayer.

Pros:
-The game is a challenge, & doesn't get boring 4 a while, definitely good replay value
-Involves lots of cunning/strategy
-Battles are fun on Battle Map
-Very involved game

Cons:
-Multiplayer & Random Battles are boring
-No 3D Battle Maps at sea
-Long time 2 load

RTW Gold Edition is a great gaming experiance. With epic battles & great graphics it depicts the rise of Rome. With its expansion it delivers an awe inspiring invasion of Barbarians & the fall of Rome. Overall a great gaem, & it got here before it was supposed 2 !

Four years hasn't dulled the majesty of this game.

My graphics card recently bit the dust, & I'm stuck with a weak chipset. So, while waiting 4 my new card, I was looking 4 an older game my system could handle.

I'm a big fan of MEDIEVAL II: TOTAL WAR, so I decided 2 give its older brother a spin. Good choice.

Although the graphics are starting 2 date. (Though they're still impressive.) The game play hasn't. Like M2, this is a game you can play over & over again & only scratch the surface. It's both edge-of-you-seat exciting & intellectually deep. A combination rarely found in today's games.

And its forgiving system specs make it a good choice 4 an aging system, or a laptop.

This is one of those games you'll play 4 hours upon hours, & remember 4 years. Buy with confidence. This is a top gaming experience.

As a 61 year old gamer & historian who started with Avalon Hill games as a teen, I find RTW & Barbarian Invasion 2 be supremely satisfying. You haven't lived yet until you have fought three separate Hun armies between turns & win with just your one Roman army. Especially intriguing when two of their armies attack simultaneously & you have 2 defeat one quickly & wheel your army about 2 face the second coming from your rear. Yes, horses were terrified at the sight & smell of elephants as attested 2 by the writings of Ammianus Marcellinus, the late 4th Century Roman chronicler & soldier who fought against Persian elephants.

Rome: Total War Gold puts you in command of the ancient world's greatest armies. Storm clouds will gather over Europe, Asia & North Africa as you lay siege 2 civilizations using powerful war engines. Prepare your army & develop strategies 4 victory, then enjoy wealth & power unlike any who came before you. Gold Edition features the original Rome: Total War & its expansions, The Barbarian Invasions.