These faction previews have been around a while now, but even before they came out we all knew this one was coming. Bafflingly unplayable without tweaking files in the original Rome - Total War, I think Macedon comes as a welcome addition to the faction roster. It is excellently placed to give the player a dizzying choice of directions to expand, and one assumes it can become an economic powerhouse quite early on if Hellas and the land surrounding the Aegean is brought to heel. Of course, I imagine the Creative Assembly won't make that simple sounding idea quite so easy, with Greeks to the south, what I imagine are Thracians to the north, along with successor states galore to the east. Oh, and who could forget Rome to the west?
The preview doesn't go into much detail in terms of specifics, but it does give us some insight into the kinds of units we can expect. Hoplites, companion cavalry and Thessalian cavalry are mentioned, and Macedon's lack of naval power is also noted. It does sound like the classic hammer and anvil tactics will work nicely though, and I'm sure I won't be the only one shouting embarrassingly loudly as I send my king charging into the back of some screaming barbarian lines. Ah...I look forward to that already. So, the state that gave birth to Alexander will be available to play off the bat - will you follow in the footsteps of that glorious conqueror, or will you follow your own goals?
So, rather than 'The Britons', we have the Iceni tribe. That does make sense, seeing as the whole Boudica thing went down rather famously a few centuries after the start of the time frame. After all, whoever heard of the Atrebates? Well, apparently the Creative Assembly has since they are mentioned as one of the other Britonic tribes that the Iceni get to clash with, but still. Anyway, my first thought when looking at this preview was 'Will there be head hurlers?' I can't be the only one who not only enjoyed seeing the heads of my enemies getting hurled back at more enemies, but also being shocked at how many more enemies they killed! Alas, there is no mention that I know of so far, but there is talk of the famous blue painted warriors, along with their large shields, spears and swords. Slingers are mentioned too, although I think an enemies head is better than a pebble, wouldn't you agree?
Still, even without severed heads (I'm not letting that go), I imagine the Iceni will be fun to play. Having a rather large island to conquer whilst being separated from the larger goings on across the channel gives the player a great point of stability from which to begin large scale invasions. Perhaps Rome will burn, or even Athens? Or...Camulodunon. Yes, I went there. This won't be the first faction I play with, so I will make sure to be listening to 'London's Burning' by The Clash as I crush them. It became London later, so it works!
Otherwise known as 'Gaul'. I'm a big fan of the fact we are getting more detailed factions in the sequel, with tribe names being used as opposed to the generic people group. The starting position for the Averni gives plenty of potential, but the player will be in for a fight from the get go. Germanic tribes, raiding Britons (sorry...Iceni), Iberian tribes and the growing shadow of Rome all await these brave folk. Even Asterix might find that a challenge (sorry...I couldn't resist). However, this faction can rise above all those challenges, because it has the unit with quite possibly the most awesome name ever. Yes, I'm talking about 'Oathsworn'! Just the name gives me shivers.
There is also a lot of talk of Druids in this preview which does make me wonder if we will see units of them again, wielding their scythes? Even if we don't, it sounds like we will have some good units to choose from, with strong infantry, missile units and cavalry being mentioned. Forget the latter two though, just give me a stack of Oathsworn and the world is mine!
Otherwise known as the Germanic tribes. These were one of my personal favorites in the original game due to those extremely effective berserkers, who are mentioned by name in this preview so I am excited by that prospect. They start off rather isolated, so the player should have time to unite more of the north before sweeping into the civilized world, wreaking havoc. The preview makes much of their ability to ambush, with their units being primarily suited to that style of fighting, with 'Night Hunters' being mentioned.
Culturally, they sound isolationist, and it seems they may have more trouble than some holding onto conquests. However, this would be a good challenge and I am sure you would agree. And of course, these guys did not give Caesar Augustus his legions back.
Another great faction from the original game, I see one excellent improvement already. The hot pink is gone, and royal purple is in. Thank goodness for that. A real 'eastern' faction, it gives the player a great choice for a different playing style as opposed the rather heavily infantry focused European factions. Parthia specializes in mounted units, with horse archers and heavy cavalry being mentioned. And when we think heavy cavalry, we of course think 'cataphracts', although these aren't actually mentioned by name. It will certainly present a different army roster, with only light infantry being really recruitable and mercenaries being needed for any real heavy infantry according to the preview.
I'm excited about the culture and religion aspect in Rome II, and with Parthia we are introduced to Zoroastrianism. This does cause an aversion to slavery - welcome morality perhaps, though bad news for the economy. Still, while Alexander is fun to emulate with the previously mentioned Macedon, is Cyrus any less of a man? Will you recreate the Persian (or Parthian...) Empire?
Ptolemaic Egypt is back for round two. It was a rather odd faction in the original, with some units looking like they belonged in The Scorpion King movie rather than a game based on history, though it was something we could forgive since they were so fun to play. It is a Successor State, so the player gets to enjoy both Hellenic style units, and indigenous ones. Spearmen, pikemen, swordsmen, all three styles of infantry are mentioned, and it is exciting to hear that scythed chariots will be available for them - at least to me! Also, one word...
...elephants.
Starting out in, unsurprisingly, Egypt and the Levant, players have plenty of opportunity to expand and go to large scale war. One can imagine the Seleucid's will be next door and Carthage and Numidia will be to the west. Good times to be had all around!
So, Pontus and their king Mithridates are back to beat up on some more Romans and Greeks. They definitely have a fun starting position, on the shores of the Black Sea, with Seleucids, Armenians and Greeks as neighbors. Plenty of opportunity for conquest against the tired older powers, although that depends on them being as tired as I think they are. Their economy should be strong since they control Black Sea trade for the most part, so there is a base of stability, although apparently the ruling class has forsaken their Persian heritage. Perhaps trouble will be brewing at home.
Since Pontus was part of the Successor States before declaring independence, but is ruled by Persian's, their army roster sounds like a very good and balanced one. Pikemen are available, as well as those always fun scythed chariots, and I imagine Cappadocian cavalry will be around. If not...well, I guess you can throw rotten vegetables at me.
So, this time around there is no generic 'Greek' faction, but actual city states, one of which comes in the form of Athens. I am definitely a fan of this, though I am sure there are dissenting voices out there. Athens was an international power before the destructive Peloponnesian War and the rise of Macedon under Philip II, and then Alexander. Rome II gives us the opportunity to make it so once again.
Starting out life as a single city state is a very attractive prospect, since your units are local to that once city, and enlarging your territorial conquests has more meaning. At least, that's how I view it. According to the faction preview, Athens will have a strong naval ability and strong hoplite and archer units, in addition to mercenaries being available. It should be a great challenge!
Another large omission from the original game, Epirus will be available this time around as part of the Greek States Culture Pack. This faction has just lost a war with Rome, and managed to create a term that has lasted until today - Pyrrhic victory. Their king, Pyrrhus, won two battles against the Romans but at such a heavy cost that he lost the war. Hmm...not a great starting point one could be forgiven for thinking. However, revenge could be on your mind as the player, perhaps Rome could still be brought to heel. Or, there is Macedon to the east and those upstart, arrogant Greeks to the south. A strong Epirot king could unite Hellas and invade the Italian peninsular from a much stronger base.
Their unit roster will be similar to the other Hellenic factions, and as such will have good mounted commanders to charge into the enemy. I'm personally extremely pleased that they will be around in Rome II - Total War.
I will do my absolute best to refrain from making 300 movie references here. I doubt anybody was surprised when Sparta was announced as a faction in the Greek States Culture Pack, and I can't imagine many were too disappointed at their inclusion either. They will definitely be a fun faction to play, seeing as their hoplites will be very powerful - at least that is the impression given in the faction preview. Players will be able to bring those haughty Athenians to heel again, although challenging the might of Macedon might be...
...madness. Madness?
Ok, ok...sorry. Couldn't resist at least one reference. After all...
...this is Sparta!
Ok, I'm done at two references. To be honest, this faction speaks for itself. After all, who hasn't heard of the Spartans? (Aaoo! Aaoo! Aaoo!) Heroes at Thermopylae, heroes at Plataea, victors in the Peloponnesian War. They'll be one of the first that this player will use, and I imagine my royal hoplites will be burning many cities across the world.
Those are all the faction previews that are out. To see the actual previews, just click on the faction name and it will link you to that factions official Total War wiki entry.
Written by: Shackleton.
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Give Life Back to Music
Eagle Standard, Volume XI Issue I
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