Heart of the Matter , Is RTW good value for $?

[AquaLurker]

IMHO, the game is good but it was not up to expectations. Generally because of the game balance issues and the campaign replayability.

In campaign games, the AIs just aren't challenging enough strategically due to the complexity of the map even in VH mode. Everyone is a Sun Tze when we fight against the AI. The only way to get some challenge is to play really losy factions with units balance issues.

In Battles, the the units are badly balance. The AI simply cannot handle some features (like the phalanx and testudo etc) effectively to put up a challenging fight. The game engine is also flawed and it allows cav or infantry/pike spaming which encourages players to spam.

I too hope that all these issues can be solved by CA in one way or another but I have little faith in that happening due to their terrible customer support.
I hope they would provide better customer support and refine the game engine in the furture.

[Benny Moore]

If I could turn in Rome: Total War for the money I paid for it, I would. I would even forgive them for the time I've wasted playing the single player, dissatisfied and thinking that I was doing something wrong, and the time I've wasted modifying the game in a vain attempt to remedy the problem.

[matches88]

worth the money sure, not sure its worth the time tho. i don't expect great ai just enough to keep the "believability of a decent opponent" factor. the more you scratch the more you see that it's just not there. i don't expect to purchase a patch in the form of an expansion tho..

[Shambles]

Heres what i want to know....

You ppl who say Rome total war is Worth the money,
Do you own Shogun Or medieval total war at all?

Becous seems to me only ppl who never played previous total war games Say Rome total war is worth the money,

Id like to know :)

[Catiline]

I'veplayed all three. It is definitely worth the money, even if it is flawed.

[player1]

Personally I think that only challening games can be worth 50$.

In case of RTW, two bugs make it less challenging then intended (battles difficulty and loadgame bugs).

Less challeing games lead to less replayablity, and thus less time spent playing.

So I think it's more worth 20-30$ in this state, no way 50$.


EDIT:
Although you need to realize that very few games are worth 50$ for me. Some of recent ones are Civilization 3 and Neverwiter Nights. Good patching support, many expansions, good modabiliy and replayability. With better patching support RTW could've been in too.