Rome: Total War and Expansions
From TWC Wiki
Rome: Total War and the expansions Barbarian Invasion and Alexander are games in the Total War Series by Creative Assembly
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[edit] Overview
The Rome: Total War series allows game play based on a historical setting. Campaign and battle map play are available.
[edit] Main Differences to Earlier Total War Games
A major difference between RTW and earlier games in the Total War Series is the way the in campaign battle maps are generated. From RTW on the battle map is generated to match the area of terrain the armies are actually located on; including the adjacent mountains, rivers trees and settlements.
Movement around the campaign map is different from earlier games. Instead of moving 'Risk' style from one region to another, on map characters have a certain amount of movement points which effect how far they can travel per turn, terrain and roads also vary the possible extent of movement.
[edit] Significant Differences Between Games
[edit] Rome: Total War
In RTW the three Roman factions and the Senate are dominant forces. The Senate introduces some special elements of game-play, including Senate Missions, Senate Offices and a forced alliance between the Roman factions for the early part of the game.
[edit] Barbarian Invasion
Barbarian Invasion does not have a senate equivalent, but introduces religion as an important aspect of the game. Leaders, and settlements can now belong to certain religions, and the extent to which the population supports the religion can affect happiness. Loyalty and horde nations are also introduced.
[edit] Alexander
Alexander introduces the idea of unique generals. Generals such as Alexander himself have a unique name and portrait, something which was not possible in RTW or BI.
[edit] Common Elements
[edit] Campaign Play
Campaign play is only available from the Single-Player menu. The imperial or main campaigns give a chance to take control of a historically significant faction and attempt to either emulate or improve upon their historical fate. The player can win the game by achieving a pre-determined set of victory conditions that are relevant for that faction.
Campaign play involves not only military considerations, but also must include some degree of control over economic and diplomatic factors. Factions expand by taking over control of enemy settlements, hence gaining more money, population and the ability to produce more troops. Settlements need to be developed efficiently so the population is kept happy (revolts are possible) and to make the most of trade opportunities and troop availability.
Various campaign map characters are useful to the player. Spies, diplomats and assassins exist solely on the campaign map. Generals appear on the campaign map, in your factions family structure and on the battle map. A generals traits, good or bad, can have a significant effect on the running of a settlement or on his armies chances in battle. The knowledgeable player can attempt to develop his generals in a way that will gain them the most useful traits.
[edit] Battle Map Play
- See main article Battle Map Play - RTW
Battles can be played during campaign mode when two armies meet or in Custom Battle or Historical Battle mode. Custom Battle and Historical Battle modes are available for Multi-Player play either over the internet or on a LAN connection.
The quality of the battle play is one of the attractions of the Total War Series for many players. Play takes place on a real time basis in a highly detailed 3D environment and can involve thousands of individual troops.
The same game engine as used for RTW was used to reconstruct the battle scenes in two television programs: "Decisive Battles" by the History Channel where it was used to recreate famous historical battles which were then discussed by experts, and "Time Commanders" by BBC Two where contestants attempted to improve on or emulate historical leaders' achievements at certain battles.
