First impressions

[Flyboy1972]

I'm a long-time RTW player, having invested thousands of hours at wrangling the various factions to power and glory, always VH/VH.

I finally downloaded RTR (platinum) last week, and spent the entire weekend playing around with it.

I'm into a VH/VH Roman campaign, roughly 30-40 turns in (have all of Italy up to Patavium/Mediolanum) and Massila under my control. Haven't set foot in Sicily, Corsica or Sardinia yet.

So on that basis, here are my first impressions of RTR.

Love it.

It's effectively RTW2 as far as I'm concerned. I know it's the BI engine, and I'll be the loser in the sleeping bag outside the store the day they actually release the real RTW2, but it's given a whole new lease to my absolute fav game of all time (I'm a Roman history guy as well, so you know . . . )

1. Installation: I'm using Vista, so of course I had issues in trying to install it to Program Files/Create Assembly. As soon as I dragged Creative Assembly to desktop, it worked like a charm.

2. Economy: the single biggest improvement, IMO. Used to bother me that RTW Julii would have all of Gaul conquered, and still be perpetually short of cash. Caesar was one of the richest men in Rome by the time he'd beaten Vercengetorix at Alesia. The Gallic provinces weren't as poor as RTW made them. Now, with current territory described above, and focusing heavily on paved roads and the Phase I, II and III provincial buildings everywhere, I'm clearing 3500-4000 gp per turn: just enough that I still have to make careful decisions about whether to invest in an aquaduct for Rome, or reinforcements, etc. But enough that I can actually make those decisions without being in the red all the time. Vastly improves the quality of gameplay.

3. Campaign map: Love it. Much more accurate than RTW, and the number and placement of rebel (should that be 'independent?') cities means that expansion strategy has to be carefully considered, rather than led by the ever-obvious next settlement to grab. Not having the Senate on my case about where I should focus next is a nice addition too.

4. Missiles: biggest tactical change for me. My usual RTW battle plan is use infantry as an anvil for cavalry's hammer, while pepping their lines with as many arrows as possible. Can't do that anymore. The pila-armed infantry and auxilia can be just as effective, but it makes for more fulfilling and accurate battle conditions.

5. Cavalry: my one qualm so far: cavalry is too expensive relative to value on the battlefield. I gather than the intent was to lessen missile impact and increase cavalry impact. I actually find the opposite to be true. They get chewed up really fast by weaker units with superior numbers, and the charge bonus doesn't seem to apply.

6. Infanty: looking forward to Marian reforms so I can see the full sweep, but liking the richness of detail and distinction between hastati, principes and triarii so far. Warbands make for excellent garrison troops as well. I like that spearmen can run in formation. Were very unweildly in RTW. And I love picturing posh Roman citizens being policed by 'barbarians' from Cisalpine Gaul, and the like.

7. Seiges: Essentially the same, but would have liked MTW2 ability to run infantry towards the walls with ladders. And to target multiple ladders on same sections of wall. I know it's a different engine, but that was my first thought.

8. Strategy guide: is there a good strategy/opening moves guide somewhere? Have looked, to no avail.

9. VII: Having just dipped my toe in RTR Platinum, would anyone recommend VII? What are the major differences? I looked for a comparison of what's changed, but couldn't find one in a sticky or FAQ (didn't look all that hard, I must confess).

All in all, helmets off to the development team. You've made this Roman history/RTW buff very happy.

[Muizer]

9. VII: Having just dipped my toe in RTR Platinum, would anyone recommend VII? What are the major differences? I looked for a comparison of what's changed, but couldn't find one in a sticky or FAQ (didn't look all that hard, I must confess).

I don't think there are many similarities between RTR Platinum and RTR:VII. PE will improve the original game a lot, but it does not really require you to change the way you play a great deal. VII does. That's because it's designed to offer something new to people who have played RTW and its mods for over six years now.

[Typhon]

I don't think there are many similarities between RTR Platinum and RTR:VII. PE will improve the original game a lot, but it does not really require you to change the way you play a great deal. VII does. That's because it's designed to offer something new to people who have played RTW and its mods for over six years now.

I've got to agree. I've been playing RTRPE and ExRM since they came out, and although I love those mods, VII has completely upped the ante. It did take some getting used to, but after figuring it out I've got to say it's the best mod I've ever played for any Total War game.

So yes, I recommend getting RTR VII as soon as possible.

[Antiokhos Euergetes]

Go and download VII ...you'll love it, only gripe I have is I miss the Seleukids, but Hellas is amazing, so makes up for it with factions like Antigonids, Achaian lge, Sparta, Aitolian lge etc

[_Tartaros_]

second that, VII is amazing and way more ballanced than PE. as roman you have the leadership improvement, what´s perfect for roleplay and a very detailed map with alot of small regions.