Easily one of the best real-time strategy games ever created, Rome: Total War puts you in charge of a Roman family leading their faction to global domination, or the head of a number of nations struggling to become the world's only superpower. While the game may not take you to Civilization-like heights (you're stuck in the time of the Roman Empire), the combat here is top-notch, and even to this day still on a level most recent RTS games have yet to achieve.
Combat takes place in fully 3D environments, where you command thousands of troops. Strategy is very realistic in the sense the numbers don't account for too much. It's all about strategy: who can outmaneuver who, which unit will wear down the other first, which unit is faster, etc. For example, a small brigade of about, say, 600 men can easily best an army of 1000, if the larger army is made up of considerably inferior quality troops. Where most RTS games emphasize quick build times and rushing tactics, the Total War franchise focuses on exploiting weaknesses, out-thinking your opponent, and planning even before a battle begins.
Another thing I like is that, the more your troops 'level up' in skill, the harder they are to kill in battle, and the more kills they get. Unlike other RTS games, where you can level up equipment, in the Total War games, your soldiers act as real soldiers act, with the veteran troops being the better of the bunch, even at times better than 'green' troops with better weaponry.
Take a look at any number of Youtube videos of gameplay; these battles can become quite epic, with thousands of infantry charging at each other, hundreds of cavalry galloping into the fray, and archers unleashing a storm of arrows. Best thing is, amid the chaos, you are in control of it all.
Combat takes place in fully 3D environments, where you command thousands of troops. Strategy is very realistic in the sense the numbers don't account for too much. It's all about strategy: who can outmaneuver who, which unit will wear down the other first, which unit is faster, etc. For example, a small brigade of about, say, 600 men can easily best an army of 1000, if the larger army is made up of considerably inferior quality troops. Where most RTS games emphasize quick build times and rushing tactics, the Total War franchise focuses on exploiting weaknesses, out-thinking your opponent, and planning even before a battle begins.
Another thing I like is that, the more your troops 'level up' in skill, the harder they are to kill in battle, and the more kills they get. Unlike other RTS games, where you can level up equipment, in the Total War games, your soldiers act as real soldiers act, with the veteran troops being the better of the bunch, even at times better than 'green' troops with better weaponry.
Take a look at any number of Youtube videos of gameplay; these battles can become quite epic, with thousands of infantry charging at each other, hundreds of cavalry galloping into the fray, and archers unleashing a storm of arrows. Best thing is, amid the chaos, you are in control of it all.