As gaming has progressed, the type of game people enjoy has evolved, at Number 8 in the Top 10 MegaGames of 2004, is proof that cerebral gaming is not an oxymoron but rather, a common, mainstream activity.
Released in late September, 2004, this Activision and Creative Assembly title brought Total War to Rome. Epic real-time battles never looked so beautiful as they do when rendered by CA’s new 3D engine utilized in Rome: Total War. Much of the success of the game did rely on the massive technological step produced by the visual element of the game. The performance of the visual aspect of the game was so impressive that the BBC utilized the engine for its Time Commanders TV game show while the History channel did the same in the U.S. with its Decisive Battles show.
The depth of Rome:Total War meant that most gamers were not exactly sure of how to label it. While definitely a game of strategy and tactics, its sheer size and depth also brought many RPG elements into the gameplay. Many found it to be all-consuming and as one reader commented: Rome: Total War is great. A strategy game of such depth is amazing. The campaign I am currently playing I been working on for the last 5 weeks, and still far from finishing it! The little details and the historical work put into researching it, the names of family members actually existed at the time as far as I can tell. Civilization was a strategy game I enjoyed for years as a kid but now the concept has become outdated with games as good as Rome- Civ step aside this does all that you could do better and much more like real time battles, which are a lot harder than would be expected. Tank rushes don’t happen (other than of course it is 200BC) but every unit is useful for how your plan will work. Tie up the enemies dangerous cavalry by having them charge a hard unit of infantry in the front rank and have some spearmen in reserve to charge into their flank and break the cavalry- fantastic strategic depth. Of course it can’t be forgotten the massive improvements Rome makes on Medievals games mechanics that Rome makes its predecessor look like a toy, its amazing the distance they have taken this game. Bring on Napoleon: Total War!
Yet another reader was even more emphatic boldly stating that Rome Total War - Is I believe the best RTS every created. When I first looked at it I noticed the physical beauty of the detail in the Roman Triarii and Cohorts. Then I realised the physics and realism in combat when the war elephants and cavalry from the Carthage smashing into my troops. The sounds to it are very good and the music is very battlish giving u more of a reason to fight on when u have only 1 Legionary Cohort left. The multiplayer is very good but I still believe it could have done with a conquer the world game mode for LAN only.
The praise did not stop there though, I am an avid fan of ‘intelligent’ games that require thinking on the part of the gamer, not just reflexes or a good hand, thus I favour strategy games, I can say that Rome Total War is the best strategy game out in 2004, although not without bugs, it’s the best of it’s kind, combining a free-form playing field, and superior graphics. Another voter commented on why he chose to vote that way, Rome I chose because the battles are so immense...having 10k units visible onscreen while in battle is just awesome, great continuation from the earlier games in the series… Finally we also have to add our favorite comment from a Rome voter who simply said …with Rome I can change history.
Number 9