Barbarian Invasion worth it?

[Goalie]

Is Barbarian Invasion worth getting? I am a big fan of Rome Total War, but I am not sure if I should get Barbarian Invasion. I dont really like barbarians that much. I have also heard that it is a cool game. Is it worth getting?

[Dutch_guy]

If your a big fan then I'd recommend getting it.

I also am a fan of the more civilised factions however I do like the expansion, the new campaign and features will make you waste numerous hours of your precious free time, be it a little less than the original Rome total war.

You'll probably enjoy the new factions - even if they might be barbarians - and will find that games tend to drag on a little longer than Rome's due to the settlements being fewer and further apart.

As said, If your a Rome fan I'd suggest getting the expansion.

[Garvanko]

Yeah get it. Its a different experience to RTW, and you can alternate between RTW and BI campaigns.

[Drock]

I enjoy BI myself, its a pretty different game from RTW (like the viking campaign for MTW).

A couple of things changed, namely no phalanxes and the addition of hordes (makes barbarian factions really hard to eliminate).

My favorite thing about BI has to be the fact that the Roman factions have the most difficult campaign since you have to deal with civil war, a multi-religious empire, and barbarian hordes whose victory conditions involve making homes in your lands.

So I'd say yes, BI is definitely worth the $30 dollars.

[Avicenna]

It depends: BI is more complex, having to deal with hordes and usually having a hard time gaining settlements at first. If you have time to spare and would enjoy a challenge, then BI is a must.

The hording also provides fun: normally in RTW steamrolling over the enemies gets pointless and boring.

[econ21]

Well, I haven't played the barbarians much - like the Mongols in MI or the Vikings in VI, the whole pillaging thing does not appeal much to me. But what attracted me to BI was the Western Roman Empire, decaying and beset by hordes. I like turtling in strategy games - trying to build up while the AI comes at you with both barrels. This is pretty rare in TW (although Oda in STW & HRE in MTW are comparable to WRE in some ways) but WRE and Eastern Roman Empire both give you a lot of opportunities for it, while the Sassanids are not really barbarians but a powerful Eastern civilisation.

For a taste of playing the WRE, have a look at this PBM write-up thread:
https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=60372

Overall, I'd recommend BI. I think it improves the vanilla game in some subtle ways - e.g. raises defence stats, lowers the rate at which players acquire command stars, throws bigger AI armies at you, reduces the power of missiles and (I think) cav relative to infantry, gives faction specific objectives that are more meaningful than conquer 50 provinces etc. Also, the campaign is a pretty big one - almost like a RTW2 to my mind.

[Alexanderofmacedon]

I would deffinetly recoment getting it. Barbarian Invasion only cost $30 (that's when it first came out, now it may be lower), so it's deffinetly worth it.

Also, as you play RTW and BI and all, you'll get a bit bored sometimes. This is where the great mods for RTW come in. For most new one's you will need BI, not to mention BI is a ton of fun anyway! I mean you can play as hordes!!!

[The Spartan (Returns)]

I would reccomend it. Night battles, better AI, new campaign features. Yup its great.

[Lemur]

I'm going to vote "Meh." I kind of like it, but I kind of don't. I guess I like advanced civilizations, and it seems that the most fun features in the expansion are all for the barbarians. I guess the devs felt the same pain that people on here were talking about for ages -- not enough barbarian love in the first Rome. Oh well.

Get it. Don't get it. Or just say meh.

[Mount Suribachi]

I would say yes.

Simon linked to a current PBEM game in the Throne Room as the WRE, and I was am one of the players in there. Let me say, that my reign as WRE Emperor was one of the most challenging and enjoyable Total War experiences I've ever had, and thats speaking as someone who bought Shogun the day it was released.

[Diurpaneus]

Definetly its worth it.Especially now because its cheaper

[Pomerium]

If just want some different game play expierence, try downloading one of the mods for RTW. I find that it is like playing a new game. Its less costly that way too. I played BI but wasn't too enthralled with it.
I think I will stick with the mods till I really get bored with RTW. Haven't even got to RTR's mod yet. Still playing SPQR.

good luck

[econ21]

If just want some different game play expierence, try downloading one of the mods for RTW.

Yes, I've got to second that. If you have not tried a major RTW mod, you haven't seen half what the engine can offer. I haven't tried SPQR, but RTR turned my view of RTW right around and EB currently has me hooked.

You'll probably have to reinstall to get the 1.2 version of RTW, but it is worth the trouble.

[Goalie]

Thanks guys I have decided to go out and buy the expansion. I look forward to playing it.