Rome: Total War (Game)

Rome: Total War

GAME » on January 10, 2004

Take control of massive armies as you battle to conquer the known world. Be it on the battlefield or on the world map, besiege cities and route enemies. All for the ultimate goal of crushing the senate and ruling Rome.

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Overview

Rome: Total War is the first in the series to feature fully polygonal real-time battles

Rome: Total War is a critically-acclaimed historical strategy game by British developers The Creative Assembly (Company). It was originally released for PC on September 22nd, 2004. Although initially published by Activision (Company), later versions of the game have been released by Sega (Company), who acquired The Creative Assembly after Rome's release. A version was released for Mac (Platform) OS X by Feral Interactive (Company) in 2010.

Like its predecessors Shogun: Total War and Medieval: Total War, Rome: Total War features a unique combination of turn-based empire management and real-time battles. It is the first game in the series to use a fully polygonal engine, replacing the 2D sprites of Shogun and Medieval with fully animated 3D models.

The main campaign sees the player take charge of one of three great Roman houses — the Julii, the Scipii and the Brutii — with the goal of siezing the Republic and forging an Empire. After completing the campaign, other factions are unlocked for use. Factions can also be unlocked by destroying them in the campaign.

Gameplay

Siege warfare has been greatly expanded in Rome: Total War

As with previous Total War (Franchise) games, the primary objective is to raise large armies to conquer provinces and cities which will grant you income from taxes and allows you to expand your empire. The ultimate objective is to capture 50 provinces and control Rome itself, though this can be reduced through the option of a shorter campaign. The player begins the campaign by choosing one of three Roman factions — the Julii, the Scipii or the Brutii. It is also possible to unlock more factions by defeating them campaign, allowing for a greater variety of gameplay.

Rome Total War's multiplayer has been the subject of some criticism. Some players consider many of the units to be overpowered, meaning that even the faction you pick before the game even begins may determine the outcome of the fight.

Campaign

The main element of the single player experience, the campaign allows the player to have complete control over the political, social, economic, and military elements of one of the 19 (not include the rebels) factions in the game. Each of the factions represent a different empire or political bloc from the ancient world.

There are two types of campaign. The short campaign requires the player to capture 15 cities and destroy a designated faction. The longer campaign requires the player to take over Rome and occupying a total of 50 cities.

For the first play through of the campaign, players must choose to be one of the three Roman factions. However, over time other factions will be unlocked as the player conquers the other groups with the Roman factions and all playable factions will be unlock when the player finishes the campaign. Certain factions can never be unlocked, but simple modification of game files have allow them to be playable.

Family Members

Every faction in the game owns family members that rule your settlements and your army in battle. You start the game with some family members and during the game-play you get more by birth or marriage your daughters to other noble men.

The family members along with diplomats, spies and assassin's die in time but you recruit or you get more during the game.

Male family members have 3 major statistics:

Influence: Important to keep the public order in your settlements . If your family member does not have influence then there is a chance for the people to revolt.
Management: Management take care of the settlement's economy. The more management your family members have, the more profit you gain.
Command: Command is based on how good your family member is in case of combat and how good is he to command your troops especially when you decide to automatically resolve the battle.

Each faction has a faction leader and an heir, and those are the one that rule your faction. In case of combat you lose both the faction leader and faction heir then you automatically lose the game. Also the faction leader and faction heir gain more stats that of a common family member.

The family members gain traits from academies, temples and from events that happens during the gameplay .

Some traits are giving positive stats to your family members and some of them negative which sometimes it turns dangerous for your settlement's stability.

Diplomats

The diplomats are very important units in the game.

They are the ones that arrange your trade with other factions alliances or even enemies.

You can obtain map information if the other faction agrees.

Also you can bribe an enemy army or family member and if you have the money and they are the same units with your faction army , they can join you.

Spies

Another important non-combat unit is the spy. The spies inflitrate to enemy settlements or armies. That way you can see what buildings or units the enemy settlement have so you can prepare your attack or defence. You can also see the population of the enemy settlement the currency or even the family members traits and stats.

You can also use the spies to find armies that are ready to ambush and also to find enemy assassins.

If you send to many spies into one settlement then the public order of that settlement is reducing and in many cases they rioting.

Also if you keep to many spies in your settlement then you make it hard for enemy spies to enter your city and get information.

Assassins

The assassin's duty is simple but important.

You either send him to sabotage the enemy buildings and in that case you delay the enemy to train more units or even lose public order and money from trade. Otherwise you can use the assassin to kill family members, diplomats, other assassins or if his rank is high, spies.

Naval Combat

Ports can be build in regions with a coastline. Building a port allows the region to make use of naval trade routes, which are one of the most lucrative sources of income, and allows the recruitment of Warships. More developed ports can recruit better Warships and support more trade routes.

Warships serve many roles. They can be used to protect a port, or besiege an enemy's. They can raid enemy trade routes, cutting off a vital supply of income. Troops and agents can be transported by sea using a fleet. Warships can also engage in combat with enemy warships, although naval battles can only be resolved automatically by the AI. Like infantry units, warships gain experience as they engage in combat.

Quick Battle

The player has the ability to jump right into a quick and random battle with this mode. Unlike the Custom Battle where the player can choose their faction and units, in this mode the player can be evenly matched, have an advantage, or be at a disadvantage. The battlefield can also range from cities and towns to open fields and mountains.

Custom Battle

If the player wishes to jump right into the tactical combat element of the game they can do so by playing a Custom Battle. In this mode the player has the ability to join a custom battle in which they select an available faction and particular units for themselves as well as their computer opponent.

Historical Battle

Players also have the ability to participate in some of the greatest battles in the ancient world such as the Battle of Lake Trasimene and The Battle of Carrhae. Unlike the custom battle, players do not have control of choosing their units as the scenarios maintain some historical accuracy.

Factions

House of Julii

Culture	Roman
Starting Location	Northern Italy (Ariminium and Arretium)
Playable	Yes

The Julii faction is based on the family of Roman general and statesman Gaius Julius Ceasar who led the conquest of Gaul. Upon his return, Ceasar dragged Rome into a civil war, paving the way for the transition from Roman Republic to Roman Empire. The Julii are positioned to the north of Italy, making Gaul a ripe target for expansion. Their unique units include the Urban Cohort, the most powerful infantry unit in the game, and the Samnite Gladiators.

The backbone of the Roman army are the legionnaires, incredibly versatile heavy infantry. Romans can also make use of advanced siege weaponry. The Roman factions are unique in that after the construction of an imperial palace their unit roster completely changes — this is justified as the Marian reforms being implemented. Each Roman faction has a unique gladiator unit available to them.

Infantry	Peasants, Town Watch, Auxilia, Triarii, Hastati, Principes, Early Legionary Cohort, Legionary Cohort, Praetorian Cohort, Urban Cohort, Samnite Gladiators, Arcani
Cavalry	Equites, Roman Cavalry, Legionary Cavalry, Praetorian Cavalry, General's Bodyguard, Cavalry Auxilia
Support	Roman Archers, Archer Auxilia, Velites, Light Auxilia
Siege	Ballistas, Repeating Ballistas, Scorpions, Onagers, Heavy Onagers
Other	Incendiary Pigs, Wardogs

House of Scipii

Culture	Roman
Starting Location	Central Italy (Capua) and Sicily (Messana)
Playable	Yes

The Scipii faction is based on a Roman family which included the general Scipio Africanus who defeated Hannibal at the final battle of the third and final Punic War and the senator and general Scipio Aemilianus who led the destruction of Carthage.

The Scipii have a very similar army structure to the Houses of Julii and Brutii.

Infantry	Peasants, Town Watch, Auxilia, Triarii, Hastati, Principes, Early Legionary Cohort, Legionary Cohort, Praetorian Cohort, Urban Cohort, Murmillo Gladiators, Arcani
Cavalry	Equites, Roman Cavalry, Legionary Cavalry, Praetorian Cavalry, General's Bodyguard, Cavalry Auxilia
Support	Roman Archers, Archer Auxilia, Velites, Light Auxilia
Siege	Ballistas, Repeating Ballistas, Scorpions, Onagers, Heavy Onagers
Other	Incendiary Pigs, Wardogs

Brutii

Culture	Roman
Starting Location	Southeastern Italy (Tarentum and Croton)
Playable	Yes

The Brutii were a family in ancient Rome that included a number of famous figures including the Roman politician Brutus, most famous for his prominent part of the assassination of Julius Caesar.

The Brutii also have a very similar army structure to the Houses of Julii and Scipii.

Infantry	Peasants, Town Watch, Auxilia, Triarii, Hastati, Principes, Early Legionary Cohort, Legionary Cohort, Praetorian Cohort, Urban Cohort, Velite Gladiators, Arcani
Cavalry	Equites, Roman Cavalry, Legionary Cavalry, Praetorian Cavalry, General's Bodyguard, Cavalry Auxilia
Support	Roman Archers, Archer Auxilia, Velites, Light Auxilia
Siege	Ballistas, Repeating Ballistas, Scorpions, Onagers, Heavy Onagers
Other	Incendiary Pigs, Wardogs

SPQR

Culture	Roman
Starting Location	Central Italy (Rome)
Playable	No

S.P.Q.R. stands for the senate and the people and Rome (Senatus populus que Romanus). It was the capital of Rome, the house of the senates and their Caesars. From there the Roman Empire was controlled.

Infantry	Peasants, Town Watch, Auxilia, Triarii, Hastati, Principes, Early Legionary Cohort, Legionary Cohort, Praetorian Cohort, Urban Cohort
Cavalry	Equites, Roman Cavalry, Legionary Cavalry, Praetorian Cavalry, General's Bodyguard, Cavalry Auxilia
Support	Roman Archers, Archer Auxilia, Velites, Light Auxilia
Siege	Ballistas, Repeating Ballistas, Scorpions, Onagers, Heavy Onagers
Other	Incendiary Pigs, Wardogs

Germania

Culture	Barbarian
Starting Location	Damme, Mogontiacum, Trier (Capital), Batavordum and Vicus Marcomanni
Playable	Yes (unlockable)

Germania is actually the Latin word for the area of land on the east bank of the Rhine. However this region historically was occupied by many different tribes, not all of which were Germanic, so there was no single cohesive faction that existed in the days of Ancient Rome.

Infantry	Peasents, Screeching Women, Berserkers, Naked Fanatics, Axemen, Night Raiders, Spear Warband, Chosen Axemen
Cavalry	Barbarian Cavalry, Barbarian Noble Cavalry, Gothic Cavalry, Barbarian Warlord
Support	Chosen Archer Warband, Skirmisher Warband
Siege	N/A
Other	Wardogs

Gaul

Culture	Barbarian
Starting Location	Alesia (Capital) , Condate Rodonum, Lemonum , Narbo Maritus, Medolanium , Patavium and Numanthia
Playable	Yes (unlockable)

Gauls are a warlike barbarian tribe from northeast Europe.

Infantry	Peasants, Warband, Naked Fanatics, Swordsmen, Chosen Swordsmen, Druids
Cavalry	Barbarian Cavalry, Barbarian Noble Cavalry, Barbarian Warlord
Support	Skirmisher Warband, Forester Warband
Siege	N/A
Other	Wardogs

Britannia

Culture	Barbarian
Starting Location	Londinium (Capital) , Eburacum , Deva and Samarobriva
Playable	Yes (unlockable)

The Briton faction were similar to the Gauls in many ways. They are also Celts and they had trading links to the whole world.

Infantry	Peasants, Warband, Woad Warriors, Swordsmen, Chosen Swordsmen, Druids
Cavalry	Merc. Barbarian Cavalry, Briton Light Chariots, Briton Heavy Chariots, Briton Warlord
Support	Slingers, Head Hurlers
Siege	N/A
Other	Warhounds

Dacia

Culture	Barbarian
Starting Location	Campus Lazyges (Capital) and Porrolissum
Playable	No

Infantry	Peasants, Warband, Naked Fanatics, Falxmen, Chosen Swordsmen
Cavalry	Barbarian Cavalry, Barbarian Noble Cavalry, Scythian Horse Archer, Barbarian Warlord
Support	Archer Warband, Chosen Archer Warband
Siege	Ballistas, Onagers
Other	Warhounds

Scythia

Culture	Barbarian
Starting Location	Campus Scithii (Capital) , Campus Sarmatae and Campus Alani
Playable	No

Infantry	Peasants, Axemen
Cavalry	Barbarian Cavalry, Head Hunting Maidens, Scythian Nobles, Barbarian Warlord, Scythian Horse Archers, Scythian Noble Women, Scythian Noble Horse Archers
Support	Archer Warband, Chosen Archer Warband
Siege	Onagers
Other	N/A

Spain

Culture	Barbarian
Starting Location	Asturica (capital) Carthago Nova, Scallabis and Osca
Playable	No

Also known as the Celtiberian Confederacy, Spain was a Carthago-Barbaric faction that resided in the Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts. Many North African and Germanic peoples migrated to Spain by 1000 B.C. and soon the different immigrants merged into being the Caltiberians, who were the first to rule over the Spanish peninsula. Soon when the Romans began to expand, they introduced the Celtiberians to the latin language. Spain was seen as a colonizing opportunity of many Mediterranean powers and while the Carthaginians lived with the Celtiberians in harmony, Rome captured it by force taking 200 years to fully secure Spain in the Punic Wars.

Infantry	Peasants, Town Watch, Iberian Infantry, Scutarii, Naked Fanatics, Bull Warriors
Cavalry	Roundshield Cavalry, Longshield Cavalry, General's Bodyguard
Support	Skirmishers, Slingers, Balearic Slingers
Siege	Onagers
Other	N/A

Greek Cities

Culture	Greek
Starting Location	Sparta (Location) (Capital), Rhodes, Thermon, Pergamum and Syracuse
Playable	Yes (unlockable)

The Greeks had a great impact on all civilizations of the known world and were the founders of philosophy, mathematics and science. Their explorations and colonization reached from Spain (Location) to Russia (Location).

The Greeks were the first to defeat the Persian Empire. They had the most powerful military unit, the Spartan hoplites.

Only in Sparta (Location) and Syracuse you can train the Spartan phalanx unit.

Infantry	Peasants, Hoplite Militia, Hoplites, Armoured Hoplites, Spartan Hoplites
Cavalry	Greek Cavalry, Militia Cavalry, General's Bodyguard
Support	Peltast, Archer, Heavy Peltast, Merc. Rhodian Slingers, Merc. Cretan Archers
Siege	Ballistas, Onagers, Heavy Onagers
Other	Incendiary Pigs

Seleucid Empire

Culture	Greek
Starting Location	Sardis, Tarsus, Antioch (Capital), Harta, Damascus and Seleucia
Playable	Yes (unlockable)

The Seleucid Empire are the heirs of Alexander the Great (Character) and they are those who inheritance the fallen Persian empire. But the heirs of Alexander the great were too greedy and they wanted more power and land thus their fall over the time. Their units range from long speared phalanxes to chariots, cataphracts and war elephants. They have even adopted the roman legionnaire units. They begin in what is now the Middle East (Location) fighting against Egypt, and Pontus for supremacy.

Infantry	Peasants, Hoplite Militia, Levy Pikemen, Phalanx Pikemen, Silver Shield Pikemen, Silver Shield Legionaries
Cavalry	Greek Cavalry, Companiion Cavalry, Cataphracts, Scythed Chariots, Militia Cavalry, General's Bodyguard
Support	Peltast, Archers
Siege	Onagers
Other	Incendiary Pigs, Elephants, War Elephants, Armoured War Elephants

Macedon

Culture	Greek
Starting Location	Thesalonica (Capital), Larissa, Corinth, Bylazora
Playable	No

Macedonia is the kingdom that actually united the city states of Greece (Location). With Alexander the Great (Character) as a leader, the Macedonians conquered the known world! They were the ones that crushed the Persian empire, conquered the Egyptians and even built the Pharos of Alexandria (Location). After Alexander's death the conquered kingdoms were under rule by Alexander's generals and they formed the Seleucid empire.

Infantry	Peasants, Hoplite Militia, Levy Pikemen, Phalanx Pikemen, Royal Pikemen
Cavalry	Greek Cavalry, Companion Cavalry, General's Bodyguard, Light Lancers, Macedonian Cavalry
Support	Peltasts, Archers, Mercenary Illyrian Heavy Peltasts, Mercenary Cretan Archers
Siege	Ballistas, Onagers, Heavy Onagers
Other	N/A

Thrace

Culture	Greek
Starting Location	Tylis (Capital) and Campus Sake
Playable	No

Infantry	Peasants, Falxmen, Bastarnae, Militia Hoplites, Phalanx Pikemen
Cavalry	Greek Cavalry, Militia Cavalry, General's Bodyguards
Support	Peltasts, Archers, Mercenary Illyrian Heavy Peltasts
Siege	Onagers
Other	N/A

Parthia

Culture	Eastern
Starting Location	Middle East (Location) (Arsakia and Susa) and Eastern Europe (Campus Sakae)
Playable	Yes (unlockable)

The Parthians were historically raised after the fall of the Seleucid empire. They control an interesting portion of units like their powerfull horses and elephants. In the game, they face the Scythians, the Seleucid Empire and the Armenians for supremacy. In history the Parthians were one of the few factions that acctualy defeated the Romans invaders while defending their lands.

Infantry	Peasants, Hillmen, Eastern Infantry
Cavalry	Cataphracts, Cataphract Camels, Eastern General, Horse Archers, Persian Cavalry, Mercenary Bedouin Warriors, Arabian Cavalry, Bedouin Camel Archers
Support	Archers, Slingers
Siege	Onagers
Other	War Elephants

Armenia

Culture	Eastern
Starting Location	Artaxarta (Capital) and Kotais
Playable	No

Infantry	Peasants, Hillmen, Eastern Infantry, Heavy Spearmen, Armenian Legionaries
Cavalry	Cataphracts, Cataphract Camels, Eastern General, Horse Archers, Cataphract Archers, Mercenary Bedouin Warriors, Arabian Cavalry, Bedouin Camel Archers
Support	Archers, Peltasts
Siege	Onagers
Other	N/A

Pontus

Culture	Eastern
Starting Location	Mazaka, Sinope (Capital)
Playable	No

Infantry	Peasants, Hillmen, Eastern Infantry, Phalanx Pikemen, Bronze Shield Pikemen, Mercenary Thracian Bastarnae, Mercenary Cilician Pirates
Cavalry	Pontic Heavy Cavalry, Cappadocian Cavalry, Scythed Chariots, Eastern General, Pontic Light Cavalry, Chariot Archers
Support	Archers, Peltasts
Siege	Onagers
Other	N/A

Carthage

Culture	Carthaginian
Starting Location	Tunisia (Carthage and Thapsus), Sicily (Lilybaeum), Corsica (Caralis), Balaeric Islands (Palma) and Southern Spain (Corduba)
Playable	Yes (unlockable)

A remnant of a Phoenician colony, The Carthaginians were at one point Rome's mortal enemy, facing off in a series of conflicts known as the Punic Wars.A naval power, their navy was envied even by the Romans and it even inspired the Spanish to create powerful ships against their Roman foes. Hannibal, a particularly talented military commander, almost destroyed the Roman Empire having made a difficult journey across the Alps in northern Italy. He even reached the outer wall of Rome its self. It was the wars with Carthage, with Hannibal that ultimately leads Rome to extends its power into what is today Spain and norther Africa.

Infantry	Peasants, Town Militia, Iberian Infantry, Libyan Spearmen, Poeni Infantry, Sacred Band Infantry, Mercenary Spanish Peltasts
Cavalry	Round Shield Cavalry, Long Shield Cavalry, Sacred Band Cavalry, General's Bodyguard, Mercenary Light Cavalry
Support	Slingers, Mercenary Balearic Slingers, Skirmishers
Siege	Onagers, Heavy Onagers
Other	Elephants, War Elephants, Armoured War Elephants

Numidia

Culture	Carthaginian
Starting Location	Cirta (Capital), Dimmidi, Tingi and Siwa
Playable	No

Infantry	Peasants, Desert Infantry, Numidian Legionaries
Cavalry	Numidian Cavalry, Long Shield Cavalry, Numidian Cavalry Riders
Support	Archers, Numidian Javelinmen, Slingers
Siege	Onagers
Other	Mercenary War Elephants

Egypt

Culture	Egyptian
Starting Location	Egypt (Alexandria, Memphis and Thebes), Israel (Location) (Jerusalem), Cyprus (Location) (Salamis) and Lebanon (Sidon)
Playable	Yes (unlockable)

The Egyptians in their early history were able to establish one of the most advanced kingdoms in human history. Experts in astrology, mathematics and trade the Egyptian civilization lasted for hundreds of years. Equipped with powerful chariots and spearmen in conjunction with order and faith to their pharaohs, the Egyptians rivaled the Romans in discipline and loyalty. In the game they are settled in Egypt, Jerusalem and Palestine and they even have in their control the island of Cyprus. They come in conflict with the Seleucid empire for supremacy.

Infantry	Peasants, Nubian Spearmen, Nile Spearmen, Desert Axemen, Pharaoh's Guards
Cavalry	Nubian Cavalry, Desert Cavalry, Nile Cavalry, Egyptian Chariots, General's Bodyguard, Camel Archers, Egyptian Chariot Archers
Support	Bowmen, Pharaoh's Bowmen, Skirmishers, Slingers
Siege	Onagers, Heavy Onagers
Other	N/A

Soundtrack

Like most games in the series, Rome: Total War is scored by Jeff Van Dyck.

Journey to Rome Part I
Carthage intro
Mayhem
Barbarian Victory
Rome HQ
Eastern Intro
Caesar's Nightmare
Enemy is near
Imperial Conflict
Lost Souls
Egyptian Intro
Death Approaches
Divinitus
Conteplation
Drums of Doom
Roman Intro
Army of Drums
Melee Cafe
Arabic Victory
Autumn
Mobilize
Romantic Battle
Barbarian Domination
Arabic Winter
Rome total war
Greek Intro
Arabic Summer
Soldiers Chant
Journey to Rome Part II
Roman Celebration
Epic
Warrior March
Forever

System Requirements

Minimum System Specifications	Recommended System Specifications
Processor: 1.0GHz Pentium III or equivalent	Processor: 2.0GHz Pentium IV or equivalent
RAM: 256MB	RAM: 512MB
Video Memory: 64MB	Video Memory: 128MB
Hard Drive Space: 2.9GB	Hard Drive Space: 3.4GB
OS: Windows 98SE/ME/2000/XP	OS: Windows 98SE/ME/2000/XP
DirectX: Version 9.0b	DirectX: Version 9.0b

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