Rome Total War is an amazing game, but the single player compaign becomes repetetive after a while.
User Rating: 9.5 | Rome: Total War PC
Rome Total War is a "must have." People who played Medieval: Total War probably own it, people who haven't, should play it to experience the unique tactical combat. The game's graphics and large scale battles make the game superb. However, after several weeks of playing the single player campaign, the game became too repetitive for me. I have since moved to another game, but I plan to play Rome TW again soon. Gameplay 9: 1) Campaign map: The interface is great. All of the options are explained when you hold the mouse over a button and the layout allows quick management. There is also an option of the computer managing the cities. The strategic part of the game, as gameplay is concerned is great. 2) Flow of battles: Managing your troops during battle can become a difficult task. I often have to pause (I spent most of the time in pause mode) the game to arrange my troops to adjust the formation to enemy’s maneuvers. If you want to increase the difficulty significantly, don't use the pause option. 3a) Difficulty (battles): I have always liked the unique combat system of Total War, where tactics matter. However, the AI can be predictable, after you have played the game for a while (I have played both Shogun TW and Medieval TW before, so maybe that is why I can fool the AI). For a new player to the series, however, it should provide a nice challenge. In the end, the smart and creative player will be awarded. 3b) Difficulty (campaign map): It is difficult to survive the first few turns of the game, but after that, it becomes simple. In the beginning you may be attacked early on and without sufficient defense you may lose. It is unlikely though. The middle game is pretty simple with continuous building and expanding the empire. Later in the game, when the cities grow very large, they will become unhappy. However, at that time you should have almost won the game. You have the most power and you know you could win, but it just take too much time. Here is where the game becomes repetitive. Graphics: Combat: Simply revolutionary. There are many games that feature beautiful, complex unit designs, and rich environments, but in Rome Total War the emphasis is quite different. In RTW, the individual unit models are quite simple but get the job done; however, when you have literally thousands of these units marching, it is quite a sight. The engine will also adjust the polygon count on units depending on how far away they are. So you can see two individual soldiers fighting up close and thousands of other soldiers fighting in the background without a good frame rate. Campaign map: The campaign map is beautiful as well. It is the best campaign map I have seen in a turn based strategy map; it is in 3D and is very interactive. You can build roads in provinces and that will make your troops move faster. The battlefield on, which two armies clash, look like the area on the campaign map. If the battle is in a city, the city size, civilization type, and even buildings built will all be reflected on the battle map. Sound: Combat: The music is combat quite good and adjusts depending on whether you are moving or attacking (just like in Medieval TW). The general's speech before each battle is a nice touch and pulls you into the fight. But after a while I found myself going right to the battle. The rest of the sound effects are well done. Campaign map: There is little sound except the music. But the music is pretty good and unique. If you like it, that's good, but you may grow tired of it after a while. Value: Rome TW potentially has great value. Each campaign takes a long time and there are a lot of distinct civilizations you can play as. However, you will most likely not play through everything the game has to offer (because there is just too much). Furthermore, there are historic battles and a battle creator. And, if you didn't get enough, there is multiplayer. Again, can spend hundreds of game hours on the game, but most will most likely move on to another game. Tilt: I think this is a must have. Even if you won't play every different race, this game will still provide you with a lot of fun hours. And after a while, you may find yourself coming back to the game and play it again. 
