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!