Genre: StrategyDeveloper: Bits of MagicYear: 1990
Rating: 0.00 / 10.00
(based on 0 votes)
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Here's a little underrated game that mixes interesting tactical mass combat, a decent amount of management and strategy, fairly good graphics and sounds... as a strategy game, it can be considered quite simple, but it shouldn't disappoint hardcore strategists at all.
In this game, you're a young commander of the early roman empire. You have Italy, but your maps say that in all directions there's land waiting to be owned by someone (or taken from someone). And so you start conquering all of Europe and northern Africa, raising legions, charging tributes, building sea fleets, holding huge festivals to keep the people entertained, and so on. For such a simple game, it does have plenty of options and things to do.
I even dare to say that only because of its simple mechanics and caution not to have too many options that'd only confuse you, this game is so addictive. Gameplay is very straightforward. On world map screen, you choose what kingdoms to manage, and where you'll take your armies. On diplomacy screen you'll usually have a simple dialog that solves it all (or take you to the combat screen). Combat mode is VERY simple, although there are many types of tactics you can use to win the battle. Still, it somehow feels very realistic: some units run away from battle when a general falls, battle is usually decided by each side's choice of tactics (not only by the size of the armies), and since there are no archer units, combat could last only a few minutes.
The only things I missed in this game were the thrill of sieges (there are none, only field battles) and the siege weapons themselves -- in real history, the roman army used to carry huge war machines to the field, catapults, rams and such. This was probably overlooked in order to keep the game simple as it is though. Other than this, I find this game very complete and addictive, one of the best "medieval" strategy games I ever played!
