Rome II

[Gusington]

Martok meant Rome I when referring to the sequel, I think. But I do think Shogun 2 is the best of the series, because it is :)

[mikeck]

Martok meant Rome I when referring to the sequel, I think. But I do think Shogun 2 is the best of the series, because it is :)

Boooooo.... Seriously though it is definitely the best looking most polished and bug free with the best AI without a doubt so yes in that matter is the best.

[Gusington]

With all that going for it, plus some great gameplay and imagination, you should reconsider your Japanese history stance.

[LongBlade]

I didn't watch the video because I enjoy the game. I don't care what angry Joe or this guy have to say. Now if I didn't own the game and I was curious about it, I would certainly watch it but I've seen the same complaints over and over again and I just don't experience them. Sorry I just haven't had super bad or crazy AI. I haven't had bad performance or crashes. I haven't had all of these issues that all these other people seem to have that made room to the most horrible game in the universe I had fun day one.

I think this version's AI is the best yet.

Clever? Not exactly. But think about it for a moment. You're 20 turns into the game and are starting to threaten all your neighbors because you're obviously both expansionist and war-like. Do you really want an AI that will scheme to form multiple alliances come in and crush you and force the game to be done?

Personally I like expanding. The game has some checks on too much expansion. There are internal politics which need to be watched. There are checks on growth - at some point you're almost certain to face civil war due to size and aforementioned internal politics.

So, if you don't like the Total War games, this is an improved but not radically different change - don't buy it. If you do like the Total War games, this is arguably the best yet, though opinions may differ.

[Gusington]

^Definitely. Except Shogun 2 was the best :)

Maybe my mind will change with some more hours poured into Rome 2.

[mikeck]

^Definitely. Except Shogun 2 was the best :)

Maybe my mind will change with some more hours poured into Rome 2.

I think Rome 2 is the best. AI is just as good as Shogun and I enjoy the era. I also like the province system and the naval warfare.

Sorry Gus, I'm all Europe. If it ain't European history, i ain't interested.

[Gusington]

But...but...samurai!! Ronin!!! NINJA!!!! And geishas.

[Bison]

I'm with Mikeck on this one. 

[renobe]

I don't mean to troll , but I noticed that this game has very poor ratings on some retail internet sites. Among them, Amazon. A lot of people do not believe this game lives up to previus RTW games.

[MengJiao]

I don't mean to troll , but I noticed that this game has very poor ratings on some retail internet sites. Among them, Amazon. A lot of people do not believe this game lives up to previus RTW games.

  Its a internet syndrome.  It has nothing to do with the game.  The game just has a lot more going on (that for some reason people don't notice -- possibly for neurological reasons related to the uncanny valley phenonenon) than most games or even earlier TW games.

  Also, I think there was only one earlier RTW game.  The game itself is too fantastic to be as easily perceived as most games.  You get a huge chunk of the world in a convincing version of 272 BC and a lot is going on.

[LongBlade]

^Definitely. Except Shogun 2 was the best :)

Maybe my mind will change with some more hours poured into Rome 2.

I think Rome 2 is the best. AI is just as good as Shogun and I enjoy the era. I also like the province system and the naval warfare.

Sorry Gus, I'm all Europe. If it ain't European history, i ain't interested.

Which is "best" is debatable, but beyond debate is the fact that Rome II is an excellent game. If you don't like the Total War series it may not do much for you. If you have played past versions of the game and enjoyed it, then there is no reason to be afraid of whatever bad press there may be out there.

And at ~$25 it's a bargain. Nay, a must-buy.

[Martok]

Martok meant Rome I when referring to the sequel, I think.

Correct.  Thanks Gus.  (And my apologies to bboyer; I should've been more clear.)  :) 

But I do think Shogun 2 is the best of the series, because it is :)

That's debatable, of course -- I suspect the original STW will always be the "best" in the series from my own perspective -- but there's no doubt it's indeed a very good game. 

I would even go so far as to say Shogun 2 is the best Total War title since the first Medieval...except that I think Rome II may have actually surpassed it.  It feels a little weird to say that, but I genuinely think it may be true. 

[Gusington]

^What?! Please explain that...you went from a non-believer to a total convert!

[Sir Slash]

Must be a successful agent manipulation. ;D

[tgb]

You guys are making me want to go back to this.  Too many games, too little time.