IGN Review

**Thoros of Myr** · 09-23-2004, 08:47

9.4!

http://pc.ign.com/articles/550/550373p1.html

He seems to have a few small frustrations with the family system being too inflexable and ofcourse the naval battles, and a few small control issues. I found this review more helpful than gamespots up until the end where he seemed to end it abruptly.

Final Comments...

"Personally, I've never given a score this high before but Rome Total War is without a doubt one of the best games I've ever played. The combination of subject matter, game mechanics, and outstanding visuals add up to one of the best experiences you'll have on the PC.

Now if you'll excuse me, there are some Thracians at the gate just begging for another ass-kicking. "

**Basileus** · 09-23-2004, 10:11

The game has gotten great reviews evrywhere so it seem..lets hope sales will go well aswell so that CA will get their hard earned cash heh

**Bob the Insane** · 09-23-2004, 11:15

Wow.... How cool is that!!!

So jealous......

**Quietus** · 09-23-2004, 14:12

Very fine review! Woo-hoo!

Thoros, "....one of the best experiences you'll have on the PC". That is quotable. You might see this in front of the official forum.

The guy obviously knows the ins and out of the TW series! I like this part:

"While Medieval: Total War emphasized your family members as generals and brides-to-be, Rome: Total War takes things a step further. Each of your settlements requires a governor in residence and, unless that governor is a member of your family, you can't select which units and structures are built. You can select a broad priority for the non-family governors but they'll be able to build and recruit according to what they think is best within the rather general topics of military or economic development."

This means I can't jump from province without being bogged down by ineffectual governors

I hope there are enough family members!! And fate forbid civil wars....

"The only other problem with this family issue (and one that compounds the other weaknesses) is that the development of your family is entirely out of your hands. Aside from setting a faction heir (which, to be honest, has little effect on the game), everything that happens to your family comes about as a result of blind chance"

I hope that's not a campaign killer and must be done conservatively.

Overall this is the best review I have read so far. The guy knows his TW stuff!!!

This certainly re-raised my expectations and anticipation again!

**Gregoshi** · 09-23-2004, 14:19

"The only other problem with this family issue (and one that compounds the other weaknesses) is that the development of your family is entirely out of your hands."

Bummer. Just like real life.

**Barkhorn1x** · 09-23-2004, 14:31

Originally Posted by Gregoshi

Bummer. Just like real life.

Ain't that the truth!

Barkhorn.

**SirGrotius** · 09-23-2004, 14:54

[QUOTE=Quietus]

"The only other problem with this family issue (and one that compounds the other weaknesses) is that the development of your family is entirely out of your hands. Aside from setting a faction heir (which, to be honest, has little effect on the game), everything that happens to your family comes about as a result of blind chance"

The problem here is that you can't send out your daughters to marry, which was a real-life option then. Also, all children are born in your capital, which is weird if your governor resides in Egypt.

I don't think this is too bad, as in Medieval I'd always forget to marry off my princesses when they got older, and the births in the capital thing seems more of an annoyance than a real problem.

**Barkhorn1x** · 09-23-2004, 15:42

[QUOTE=SirGrotius]

Originally Posted by Quietus

"The problem here is that you can't send out your daughters to marry, which was a real-life option then. Also, all children are born in your capital, which is weird if your governor resides in Egypt.

Hmm...I seem to remember reading that this would be in - oh well.

Barkhorn.

**Lord Ovaat** · 09-23-2004, 19:37

Bummer. Just like real life.

Huh! Is this to imply that we are all ineffectual breeders? Unable to competently pro-create? Perhaps some snapshots of my heirs will convince you there is NO truth in the bumper sticker that says, "Stupid people shouldn't breed."

OK. So maybe random chance ain't such a bad idea.