Total War: Attila, Ancient Empires (AE) Mod Review

[Alexander Iulianus Verus]

I ran as quickly as I could through the trees, I had heard of the shining city but had never glimpsed its grandeur. But I wouldn't fail this time. The barbarians from Europa had taught me a lesson: focus on the past, and you can renew the present. I carried this axiom with me as a traversed the rougher terrain of the remaining hilltops and rock faces. I passed granaries on the way, the harvest being stored from the summer's surplus to save us all in the winter time. I glanced what I could only imagine to be the edges of a Municipum in the distance, and across the ocean, a Colonia thriving within the local town, offering native populations a high level of autonomy to decide their own fates.

I tripped, having lost footing, and began to tumble down the hillside. I came upon the edge of a river bank, and after taking a sip and having seen the aquifers relating to the residential aqueduct, proceeded to trek upwards alongside the river.

What I saw next would confound even the worldliest of travelers; along the river, and around the bend over the hill, I saw it. Standing majestic, I realized that the adventure hadn't concluded, it had begun. Right in front of me after years of searching stood the greatest of all wonders: the grandeur of the Ancient Empires had been finally captured by this construction, and wasting no time, I surrendered myself entirely to its embrace.


Ancient Empires represents to me, having played R:TW (18 years ago as a 13 year old, and my first TW game), EB 1 and 2, and various other mods along the way, the pinnacle in both scope and execution of the most realistic portrayal of the ancient world we have seen. While EB and EB2 both have polished their respective games' particular representation and interpretation of the historical record, none have had IMO such a titanic reworking of the economic, political, cultural and militaristic aspects all bundled into one game at initial release, nor the scope and complexity of the various interactions of these completely revamped systems.


I posted a thread earlier last week about wanting a hardcore mode; I rescind that desire, as I have been aptly challenged and have started studying the manual to gleam even a modicum of sanity from my confusion stemming from the arcane greatness that is AE.


This ̶g̶a̶m̶e̶ experience, while engrossing, will easily consume my free-time because of its utter density; I had frequently brought it to mind during all manner of activities this past USA Memorial day weekend, and had craved to play it when I could not.


If you are reading this and have not yet started at least one campaign within this colossal and epic work of digital art, please do so immediately. You will find a vast, rich level of world-building and a rare fidelity to history.


I am definitely sending a youtube video to my Professors of the classics at my alma mater, Boston University.

[Petellius]

Thank you...



You have no idea how much that means to me, and I'm sure, the rest of the team

[stevehoos]

I'll add to this:

This is the first time in many years that I have been really excited to be on this site. I am enjoying playing with different factions and helping with the beta process because the vision for AE is what I have always wanted in a Total War game. Now 16,000 thousand subscribers on Steam, congrats guys, it's a work of art.

[Alexander Iulianus Verus]

I'll add to this:

This is the first time in many years that I have been really excited to be on this site. I am enjoying playing with different factions and helping with the beta process because the vision for AE is what I have always wanted in a Total War game. Now 16,000 thousand subscribers on Steam, congrats guys, it's a work of art.

^ times new ROMAN font

[Mithrillian]

^ times new ROMAN font

Shouldve turned it into regular, instead of italics, which in the typography world is known as 'Roman'

[Alexander Iulianus Verus]

Shouldve turned it into regular, instead of italics, which in the typography world is known as 'Roman'

I think quoting auto italianizes

[Clint_Eastwood]

I second this, again I have not been as excited as ever to play a Total War game! This is probably Rome 3 or as damn as near to it!!

[asher237]

I ran as quickly as I could through the trees, I had heard of the shining city but had never glimpsed its grandeur. But I wouldn't fail this time. The barbarians from Europa had taught me a lesson: focus on the past, and you can renew the present. I carried this axiom with me as a traversed the rougher terrain of the remaining hilltops and rock faces. I passed granaries on the way, the harvest being stored from the summer's surplus to save us all in the winter time. I glanced what I could only imagine to be the edges of a Municipum in the distance, and across the ocean, a Colonia thriving within the local town, offering native populations a high level of autonomy to decide their own fates.

I tripped, having lost footing, and began to tumble down the hillside. I came upon the edge of a river bank, and after taking a sip and having seen the aquifers relating to the residential aqueduct, proceeded to trek upwards alongside the river.

What I saw next would confound even the worldliest of travelers; along the river, and around the bend over the hill, I saw it. Standing majestic, I realized that the adventure hadn't concluded, it had begun. Right in front of me after years of searching stood the greatest of all wonders: the grandeur of the Ancient Empires had been finally captured by this construction, and wasting no time, I surrendered myself entirely to its embrace.


Ancient Empires represents to me, having played R:TW (18 years ago as a 13 year old, and my first TW game), EB 1 and 2, and various other mods along the way, the pinnacle in both scope and execution of the most realistic portrayal of the ancient world we have seen. While EB and EB2 both have polished their respective games' particular representation and interpretation of the historical record, none have had IMO such a titanic reworking of the economic, political, cultural and militaristic aspects all bundled into one game at initial release, nor the scope and complexity of the various interactions of these completely revamped systems.


I posted a thread earlier last week about wanting a hardcore mode; I rescind that desire, as I have been aptly challenged and have started studying the manual to glint even a modicum of sanity from my confusion stemming from the arcane greatness that is AE.


This ̶g̶a̶m̶e̶ experience, while engrossing, will easily consume my free-time because of its utter density; I had frequently brought it to mind during all manner of activities this past USA Memorial day weekend, and had craved to play it when I could not.


If you are reading this and have not yet started at least one campaign within this colossal and epic work of digital art, please do so immediately. You will find a vast, rich level of world-building and a rare fidelity to history.


I am definitely sending a youtube video to my Professors of the classics at my alma mater, Boston University.

Word up.

[Whitey McKnightey]

I must say, I just fired this up and agree so far. Rome II DeI is a valiant effort and a great mod, but the lesser base game has way too many limitations. This mod is the first time in ages I've felt engaged by the grand strategy aspects of a Rome game, and indeed a Total War game since ETW.

[Julio-Claudian]

And it will only get better! I keep thinking about what it'll be like in a couple of years if it keeps being worked on.

It gives me that 'new toy' feeling I haven't had in years. So grateful.

[UMCenturion]

Very kind words. Thank you for the review.