Rome: Total War

2004The Creative AssemblyAndroid, PC (Microsoft Windows), iOS, Mac

Set during the rule of the late Roman Republic and the early Roman Empire, Rome: Total War is a real-time tactics and turn-based strategy game that takes place across Europe, North Africa and the Near East. The player assumes control of one of three Roman families with eight other factions playable outside the main campaign. The main goal of the campaign is to become emperor of Rome by conquering fifty provinces with the support of the people before capturing Rome itself although a short campaign is also available wherein success depends on besting other factions in a race to seize control of 15 provinces.

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What it feels like

Building an empire and claiming ultimate victory carries a sense of hard-won momentum and conquest.

Triumphant65%

What it's about

The late Roman Republic and early Empire setting with historical factions and geographies grounds the experience in real history. Armed forces, warfare, conquest, and military operations across continents are the primary subject. Factional relationships, diplomacy, and political maneuvering within Rome's power structure inform strategy but are not the focus.

Historical85%

Military & War80%

Political Intrigue55%

How it plays

Real-time tactical command of armies with resource management and economy is the core system defining the game. The strategic layer operates on turn-based movement and conquest; tactical battles unfold in real time but are fundamentally turn-sequenced at the campaign level. Steering a Roman faction across provinces, politics, and military conquest at a historical empire-building scale is the primary objective.

Real-Time Strategy95%

Turn-Based Combat90%

Grand Strategy85%

Grid Tactics Combat80%

Real-Time with Pause75%

Resource Management70%

Reputation & Factions50%

How it looks and sounds

The soundtrack uses sweeping orchestral compositions fitting the epic historical scale (noted in user tags as 'Great Soundtrack'). The 2004 era graphics aimed at realistic unit and terrain representation within technical constraints.

Orchestral Score50%

Photorealistic50%

How it's structured

A bounded authored story arc where the player conquers Rome and claims the imperial throne structures the main experience. The player can choose the order of conquest and strategic approach, though within an overarching campaign goal. Solo play against AI is the designed experience, with multiplayer as secondary.

Campaign85%

Nonlinear Progression70%

Single-Player65%

Seamless World55%

Multiple Endings40%

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