Info about Rome: Total War™ - Collection:

Official game description:
Total War: ROME REMASTERED announced!
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About the Game
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Once the Roman Empire is under your command, don't lay down your sword just yet - the Barbarians are coming. With two award-winning titles from the esteemed Total War series, you'll have twice as many obstacles and opportunities to control and conquer the greatest empire ever known to man.  
The Collection Edition includes:  
**Rome: Total War** Guide one of three noble Roman families on a century spanning quest to seize control of the Roman Empire.  
**Rome: Total War - Barbarian Invasion**  
(official expansion pack to Rome: Total War) Witness the decline of Rome as Barbarian hordes attack, forcing a bitter internal struggle between rival factions.  
*   Voted 2004 Best Strategy game by IGN, GameSpy and GameSpot.  
*   Fight alongside or against history's greatest leaders such as Julius Caesar, Spartacus, and Hannibal to expand or destroy the Roman Empire.  
*   Lay siege against the Romans as Attila the Hun, fearful Saxons, or other savage factions using signature weapons and abilities.  
*   Command warrior-tested legions in cinematic epic battles with thousands of soldiers on-screen at once.  
*   A century-spanning campaign charges players with strategically managing the economic, civil, religious and military arms of their empire.

Release date: Aug 28, 2007

Categories: RTS, Grand Strategy, Historical Strategy, Empire Building, Mod Support, Single-player, Turn-based Gameplay

Feature scans:
- Proton/Linux: score 0; verdict: Works Well; summary: The dataset for Rome: Total War contains no user feedback referencing Linux, Proton, SteamOS, or Wine. Therefore, there is no evidence of Linux-specific compatibility friction. The game is assumed to work well on Linux/Proton based on the absence of complaints.
- Steam Deck: score 45; verdict: Tinkering Required; summary: The game suffers from stability issues (crashes) that require user intervention (e.g., launching unmodded first) and lacks modern control/display support, making it inconvenient on Steam Deck. It is playable but demands tinkering.

- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $15.00 - $30.00
  - Reasoning: The reviews consistently criticize full or near-full pricing, describing the base game or remaster as unfinished, a cash grab, or not worth it without a discount. Positive reviews often mention sale purchases or discounts as acceptable. This suggests the community views a fair base-game price as well below the typical AAA full price (assumed $60). The mention of a 50% discount on the remastered version further supports a range around $15–$30, as that would be the discount price many consider reasonable. The upper end reflects that some still find the game worth its value, but the sentiment leans toward a lower price point.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: N/A
  - Story completion: 49.0h
  - Session length: 1.5h
  - Endgame: N/A
  - Reasoning: Campaign completion: The Portuguese review states that a single campaign took half of 97 hours (approx. 48.5 hours), directly indicating typical main campaign length. Another review mentions '75 hours later the map is green', suggesting a completed campaign. A French review reports being halfway at 40 hours, implying ~80 hours total, providing an upper bound. Taking these together, a typical campaign completion is around 48–80 hours; we use the most explicit figure of 48.5 hours rounded to 49. Session length: '1 2 hours for a day' indicates daily sessions of 1–2 hours, which we take as the typical single-session length (1.5 hours). Endgame and game completion have no specific hour values reported, so set to null.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: Rome: Total War requires players to invest time in the tutorial and learn its campaign/battle systems before the deep strategic satisfaction and addictive empire-building loop becomes apparent; after that point, the game delivers a compelling and unmatched historical strategy experience.
  - Stance: Clicks after
  - Anchor: After completing the tutorial and learning basic campaign management
  - Time to anchor: N/A
  - Friction: complex initial gameplay; long tutorial required; no hope in campaign without understanding management; dated graphics; repetitive siege mechanics; multiplayer lag and limited lobbies
  - Unlock drivers: playing the tutorial; learning campaign map and battle mechanics; grasping empire management (cities, armies, diplomacy); absorbing the historical atmosphere and scale
  - Conditions: interest in Roman history or empire-building; willingness to engage with a 2004-era interface; preference for turn-based strategy with real-time battles; mindset for deep strategic planning and roleplay; solo play recommended (co-op missing, multiplayer finicky)
- Player Archetypes:
  - Nostalgic Veteran (buy)
    - Motivation: Reliving childhood memories and re-experiencing a formative game.
    - Playstyle: Replays classic campaigns, enjoys the game as it was originally, and appreciates the historical setting and old-school mechanics.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: old-school player; veteran fan; someone who grew up with Total War
    - Reference games: Total War: Rome Remastered; Medieval II: Total War; Rome: Total War – Alexander
  - Modding Enthusiast (buy)
    - Motivation: Limitless customization and new campaigns through mods.
    - Playstyle: Regularly installs and plays mods, often focusing on total conversion mods that overhaul the game.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: modding community member; mod enthusiast; strategy game modder
    - Reference games: Europa Barbarorum mod; Rome: Total Realism mod
  - History & Strategy Enthusiast (sale)
    - Motivation: Strategic conquest, historical immersion, and emergent storytelling.
    - Playstyle: Focuses on campaign-level empire building and tactical battles, often roleplaying as Roman or other ancient factions.
    - Experience: mixed
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: strategy fan; history buff; RTS enthusiast; grand strategy player
    - Reference games: Total War: Rome II; Total War: Attila; Rome: Total War – Barbarian Invasion
  - Technical Troubleshooter (no buy)
    - Motivation: Desire to play a classic but frustrated by instability – they warn others to avoid the same disappointment.
    - Playstyle: Would like to play but is hindered by technical issues; may resort to workarounds or older hardware.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: no buy
    - Labels: frustrated fan; compatibility victim; veteran with modern PC
    - Reference games: N/A


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Great classic game overall (weight 0.56): The game is widely praised as excellent, with many calling it one of the best games or strategy games of all time, highlighting its enduring quality.
- Diverse units and factions (weight 0.51): The game offers a wide variety of factions and unit types, such as Carthaginian elephants, allowing for diverse tactics and countering enemy armies.
- Soundtrack by Jeff van Dyck (weight 0.44): The music, composed by Jeff van Dyck, is frequently praised as outstanding, beautiful, and fitting, enhancing the game's atmosphere.
- Best Total War game ever (weight 0.41): Players consistently rank this as the best entry in the Total War series, even after 15 years, citing its historical setting, replayability, and superiority over later titles like Rome 2 and Shogun 2.
- Core gameplay holds up well (weight 0.32): Despite its age, the core mechanics, including the blend of turn-based strategy and real-time battles, remain solid and enjoyable.
- Highly replayable with depth (weight 0.3): Multiple reviews emphasize high replay value, with players spending hundreds or even thousands of hours due to the variety of factions and tactics.
- Epic and realistic battles (weight 0.3): Battles are described as epic, gigantic, and realistic, with thousands of soldiers making them feel like real confrontations.
- Addictive gameplay loop (weight 0.15): Players find the gameplay highly addictive, often losing track of time due to the compelling combination of strategy and battles.
- Memorable battle speeches (weight 0.14): The pre-battle speeches from generals are noted as accurate and awesome, adding to the immersive experience.
- Preferred over remaster and Rome 2 (weight 0.13): Some players explicitly state that the original game is better than the remaster and Rome 2, reinforcing its classic status.

Common complaints:
- Outdated Graphics and Performance (weight 0.71): Multiple reviews highlight dated and simplistic graphics, with performance issues on modern systems. Many players find the visuals unappealing after 20 years, and several report crashes, lag, and compatibility problems on Windows 10/11.
- Unreliable AI Diplomacy (weight 0.49): Many players note that the AI frequently breaks alliances and acts erratically in diplomacy, making treaties feel meaningless. Allies often declare war without reason, and the system is described as weak and buggy.
- Unbalanced Factions and Units (weight 0.38): Some factions are overly favored (e.g., Roman), while others feel weak or unbalanced. Certain units like Spartan Hoplites and Berserkers are considered overpowered, and roster diversity is limited.
- Poor Pathfinding and Unit Controls (weight 0.37): Pathfinding issues are common in battles, especially during sieges, causing units to get stuck or move unresponsively. Unit controls feel imprecise due to pathfinding and janky mechanics.
- Difficulty and Steep Learning Curve (weight 0.32): The game has a steep learning curve with complex city management, economy, and unit micro-management. Many players find it overwhelming, especially for newcomers.
- Intrusive Friendly Fire and Self-Harm (weight 0.28): Units like elephants and archers can damage or kill their own troops, including the faction leader. Friendly fire from archers and catapults is a recurring issue, often causing routs.
- Economy and City Management Confusing (weight 0.28): The economy system is unclear, with misleading income numbers and difficult city management (e.g., sanitation, population growth). This makes maintenance tedious.
- Dated Controls and UI (weight 0.27): The game's controls, including camera and movement, are considered outdated and clumsy by modern standards. Issues like arrow key controls, poor resolution support, and unintuitive UI are highlighted.
- Poor Optimization on Modern PCs (weight 0.2): The game is poorly optimized for modern hardware, leading to low FPS, lag, and freezing even on capable systems.
- Broken Auto-Battle System (weight 0.2): The auto-battle feature is widely criticized as unreliable and significantly worse than manual control, especially on high difficulties where it causes excessive casualties.
- Removed from Sale or Unplayable (weight 0.18): The game is no longer available for purchase on Steam, and some players report it being unplayable due to technical issues or re-release tactics.
- Lack of Localization and Community Fix Issues (weight 0.18): Missing official translations (e.g., Russian, Polish, Chinese) and issues with community patches causing crashes are noted, making the game inaccessible for some players.
- No Naval Battles (Automated) (weight 0.16): Naval combat is automated and confusing, with no manual control. This is a significant missing feature compared to later Total War games.
- Siege Mechanics Repetitive (weight 0.16): Siege battles become repetitive, and some mechanics like siege towers are broken (troops cannot climb). Pathfinding issues exacerbate the problem.
- Family Tree and Agent Limitations (weight 0.14): The family tree is hard to view, produces only daughters, and agents lack variety. This limits role-playing and strategic depth.
- Limited Modern Features (Workshop, Achievements) (weight 0.1): The game lacks modern features like Steam Workshop support and achievements, which some players consider important for modding and engagement.

Gameplay feedback:
- Turn-based strategy with real-time battles (weight 0.97): The game combines a turn-based campaign map for managing cities, armies, and diplomacy with real-time tactical battles, similar to the Total War series. This hybrid system allows players to build empires on a strategic layer and fight large-scale historical battles in real time.
- Real-time historical battles with units (weight 0.87): Real-time battles feature diverse unit types such as phalanxes, hoplites, Roman cohorts, cavalry, and war elephants, with mechanics like formations, morale, flanking, and terrain effects. Siege equipment like towers and rams adds strategic depth.
- Multiple playable factions with unique rosters (weight 0.61): The game offers many factions like Romans, Carthaginians, Greeks, and barbarians, each with exclusive units and playstyles. Unlocking all factions requires completing the Roman campaign, enhancing replayability.
- City and empire management (weight 0.59): Players manage cities with buildings, taxes, population, public order, and economic systems on the turn-based campaign map. Empire building involves diplomacy, trade, conquest, and strategic planning across a map covering Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East.
- Detailed unit and battlefield mechanics (weight 0.45): Units have specific roles (infantry, cavalry, archers, mercenaries) and evolve through reforms like the Marian reforms. Battles consider morale, terrain, weather, and formations, with pre-battle speeches adding immersion.
- Dynasty and character systems (weight 0.32): Generals and family members have traits, a family tree, and inheritance mechanics, influencing leadership and civil war dynamics. The civil war crisis is a constant threat to the empire.
- Siege warfare and equipment (weight 0.26): Sieges involve ladders, towers, battering rams, catapults, and ballistae, with mechanics for undermining walls. This adds tactical variety to both offense and defense.
- Barbarian Invasion DLC features (weight 0.25): The Barbarian Invasion expansion adds horde mechanics, religion systems, corruption, and the fall of the Roman Empire theme, enriching the base game with new challenges and factions.
- Diplomacy, trade, and agents (weight 0.19): The campaign map includes diplomacy and trade systems, along with agents like diplomats, spies, and assassins for subterfuge. These elements support non-military strategies.
- Single-player campaign with replayability (weight 0.18): The game focuses on a single-player campaign with high replayability due to multiple factions, unique units, and strategic depth. Challenges vary per playthrough.
- Multiplayer mode available (weight 0.14): Network multiplayer allows players to compete in battles or campaigns, extending the game's longevity beyond single-player.
- Auto-resolve and manual battle options (weight 0.11): Players can choose to auto-resolve battles or fight manually in real-time, accommodating different playstyles and pacing preferences.
- Population and happiness management (weight 0.11): Settlements involve population happiness systems with multiple interacting factors, requiring careful balance to prevent unrest and rebellion.
- Mod support and immersion (weight 0.1): The game supports mods like Europa Barbarorum, which enhance immersion and realism, allowing players to tailor the experience.
- Tactical map mirrors strategic terrain (weight 0.1): The battlefield is modeled from the strategic map's terrain, creating consistency between campaign and battle layers and adding tactical depth.

Performance notes:
- Frequent crashing issues (weight 0.38): Multiple reviews report frequent crashes, some as often as every 20-30 minutes, with crashes occurring during gameplay, after battles, or on save. The game is described as unplayable for some users.
- Specific resolution/screen issues (weight 0.29): The game lacks support for high resolutions and modern monitors, requiring manual preference file edits or low resolutions to display correctly. Windowed mode (-ne) helps improve stability.
- Runs well on low-end hardware (weight 0.24): Several reviews note the game runs smoothly on low-end or older systems, even without a graphics card or on Windows 7.
- Poor performance on modern PCs (weight 0.24): The game suffers from lag, low FPS, and poor optimization on modern hardware, with some users reporting GPU utilization as low as 2-3%.
- Windows 10 compatibility problems (weight 0.2): Crashes on Windows 10 are commonly linked to anti-aliasing settings or DirectX errors. Workarounds include turning off AA or using compatibility mode.
- DirectX-related crashes (weight 0.19): DirectX errors cause the game to be unplayable for some users. Using DXVK to wrap DirectX 8 to Vulkan can significantly boost FPS.
- Stable on specific configurations (weight 0.17): Some users report no crashes and stable performance on Windows 11, older monitors, or after specific fixes.
- Steam build broken (weight 0.15): The Steam version is reportedly broken on modern hardware, with fixes requiring file moves or re-downloads. Users cannot revert to older versions.
- Workaround with -ne flag (weight 0.15): Using the -ne launch option fixes framerate, input lag, and startup issues. Multiple users confirm this improves stability.
- Remastered version issues (weight 0.09): The remastered version requires large hard drive space and has high minimum specs comparable to modern games, which is a point of comparison for the original game's problems.
- Compatibility mode fix (weight 0.06): Using compatibility mode and avoiding tips/comments can help fix the game opening issue.
- OBS recording problems (weight 0.05): One user reported issues with recording the game using OBS, likely due to stability or rendering problems.

Recommendations:
- Universal recommendation across many reviews (weight 0.56): Numerous clusters contain direct statements like 'highly recommended' or 'buy it', indicating overwhelming positive sentiment and a strong endorsement from players.
- Solid ratings around 9/10 and 10/10 (weight 0.38): Many reviews give high scores like 9/10 or 10/10, reflecting strong approval and consistent quality appreciation.
- Considered a classic timeless gem (weight 0.37): Reviews consistently praise the game as an all-time classic that remains enjoyable today, highlighting its enduring quality and nostalgic value.
- Highly recommended for Total War fans (weight 0.34): Many reviews strongly recommend this game to fans of the Total War series, calling it a must-play or essential for understanding the franchise's roots.
- Perfect for strategy and history enthusiasts (weight 0.33): The game is frequently recommended to players interested in historical strategy, Roman history, and ancient warfare, appealing to both history buffs and strategy fans.
- Better original vs. remaster choice (weight 0.32): A significant number of reviewers recommend the original version over the remaster, citing better UI, features, and fewer bugs, or suggest buying the original for a more authentic experience.
- Better than newer Total War titles (weight 0.23): Several reviewers prefer this original over newer entries like Rome II or modern Total War games, citing superior gameplay or simpler mechanics.
- Buy on sale for best value (weight 0.21): Many reviewers suggest waiting for a sale to purchase the game, emphasizing its low cost during seasonal sales and excellent value for money.
- Not recommended for modern systems (weight 0.2): Some reviews caution against buying due to crashes, compatibility issues with modern monitors, or problems on Windows 10/8, especially for those without older operating systems.
- Good starting point for newcomers (weight 0.19): Several reviews recommend the game as a great entry point into the Total War series, especially for new players interested in the franchise's origins.
- Ideal for Rome and antiquity fans (weight 0.18): The game is praised as a perfect sandbox for Roman history enthusiasts, with large-scale battles and campaign map exploration.
- Must-play for strategy game fans overall (weight 0.18): A few emphatic reviews call the game a 'must-play' for any PC gamer or strategy fan, comparing it to classic titles and urging everyone to try it.
- Still playable and engaging today (weight 0.15): Despite its age, reviewers find the game still excellent, with high replay value and enjoyable gameplay even after many years.
- Recommended for nostalgic veterans (weight 0.13): A few reviews specifically target veteran players or those seeking nostalgia, praising the game's classic feel and historical accuracy.
- General positive endorsement from many languages (weight 0.13): The game receives recommendations in multiple languages (French, Russian, Hungarian), indicating broad international appeal.
- Excellent for modding and community content (weight 0.09): Players recommend using mods like Europa Barbarorum or REX to enhance the experience, showing a vibrant modding community.
- Suitable for long sessions and deep strategy (weight 0.08): Some reviews highlight the game's depth, requiring longer play sessions and reading, appealing to dedicated strategy players.
- Recommended for LAN and multiplayer fun (weight 0.05): A review specifically recommends the game for LAN battles with friends, emphasizing its social play value.
- Great for children and family gaming (weight 0.04): One review suggests giving the game to children as a better alternative to modern shooters, highlighting its educational and strategic value.

Other player notes:
- Chinese language localization patches (weight 0.15): Players contribute and seek unofficial Chinese localization patches, including for specific expansions. This indicates strong demand but lack of official support for Chinese players.
- Total War engine in TV show (weight 0.08): The game engine was officially used by the History Channel for their Decisive Battles program in 2004. This factoid occasionally surfaces in player discussions.
- Discount purchase intent (weight 0.04): One player mentioned buying the game for a 50% discount on the remastered version. This indicates price sensitivity or positive reinforcement from a sale.

Emotions:
- Frustration (weight 0.13): Players experience frequent technical issues such as crashes every 20-30 minutes, screen freezes, and performance problems that require complex workarounds or third-party fixes. Bad AI behavior, including poor pathfinding in siege battles and clumsy unit controls, along with complicated city administration and economy management, further exacerbate the frustration. Additional bugs like broken multiplayer, lack of modern features, and unresolved compatibility issues on modern Windows versions make the game feel unplayable for many.
- Nostalgia (weight 0.1): Players hold deep nostalgic feelings for the game, describing it as a classic OG that defined their childhood and first introduced them to strategy gaming. Many have played since the early 2000s, return to it over the years, and cherish memories of playing all night with family or discovering its groundbreaking gameplay. The game's timeless appeal, soundtrack, and modding community evoke fond recollections that keep it special.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.1): Satisfaction stems from the game's strong value for money, successful conquest and empire building, and a sense of progression that remains engaging over time. The game runs well on low-end hardware, offers good balance and mod support, and provides satisfying battles with tactical depth. Despite some dated elements, players consistently return to it due to its solid strategic mechanics and enduring enjoyment.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.07): Players enjoy roleplaying as Roman generals, epic battles with pre-battle speeches, and the satisfying combination of building and combat. The progression system for units and generals, historical immersion, and addictive gameplay loops contribute to ongoing fun. Even with old graphics, the magnificent soundtrack and strategic depth keep the experience entertaining.
- Appreciation (weight 0.06): Appreciation is driven by the strategic depth, field battles, and faithfulness to historical spirit that make the game a classic. Players value the intricate mechanics such as population and happiness systems, shield and spear realism, and moddability that extends longevity. The game's classic status, deep campaign, and battle tactics earn respect despite some outdated elements.
- Excitement (weight 0.05): Excitement arises from the power of commanding armies, thrilling cavalry charges, and heroic victories against overwhelming odds. The discovery of combining campaign map and real-time battles, along with epic pre-battle speeches and soundtrack, fuels engagement. Players also feel excited by mod content and the sense of conquest from diplomacy and civil war challenges.
- Disappointment (weight 0.05): Disappointment comes from outdated graphics, frustrating mechanics like required population extermination, and AI stupidity that undermines the experience. Historical inaccuracies, limited diplomacy, and the later shift to fantasy titles like Warhammer cause letdown. Unresolved technical flaws and inferior future remasters leave some players unsatisfied.
- Love (weight 0.04): Players express love for the game despite flaws, citing satisfying combat collisions, simplicity, and the ability to create generals linked to family members. The game's historical atmosphere, scale, and music foster a deep emotional connection. Many have played for over 20 years and consider it among the best strategy games ever made.
- Admiration (weight 0.04): Admiration stems from the game's revolutionary combat system, immersive management, and lasting status as a classic. The soundtrack, historical atmosphere, and tactical battles earn high praise. Players acknowledge the depth of strategy and enduring community support, allowing some to accumulate over 10,000 hours.
- Enthusiasm (weight 0.02): Enthusiasm is fueled by the game's legendary status, attention to detail, and content variety through mods and expansions. The vanilla game remains great, and players enjoy endlessly fun battles with tactical depth. Many consider it the best in the series after years of play.
- Engagement (weight 0.02): Engagement results from an addictive gameplay loop that hooks players for hundreds of hours, focusing on recreating the Roman Empire. The campaign system immerses players so deeply that the game occupies thoughts even outside of play. The tension and rewards of conquest keep the experience fresh.
- Gratitude (weight 0.02): Gratitude is expressed toward developers for the game's lasting impact and to community modders for translation patches and localization. Players appreciate how the title occupied their time and contributed to their gaming experience. Support for mods and fixes keeps the game accessible and enjoyable.
- Amusement (weight 0.01): Amusement comes from absurd scenarios like sending troops to doom at triple speed, flaming pigs failing against elephants, and humorous AI quirks. Players find delight in ruthless strategies and bugs that create laughable moments, such as crushing rebellions or conquering cities all night.
- Joy (weight 0.01): Joy arises from the game's era setting, learning mechanics, and winning battles that create positive memories. Classroom experiences and the satisfaction of mastering gameplay elements contribute to a cheerful tone. The game's ability to generate happy moments is key.
- Fun (weight 0.01): Fun is defined by endless enjoyment from the game's look, sound, and engaging campaign despite flaws. Players recall the most fun gaming memories tied to the title. Genuine fun and replayability ensure it remains a beloved choice over time.
- Sadness (weight 0.01): Sadness stems from corrupted save files losing progress, the game being removed from Steam, and friends surpassing it. For some, the game is a bittersweet link to deceased family members, especially fathers, which evokes poignant memories. These emotional ties make the sadness noticeable.
- Addiction (weight 0.01): Addiction is evident from players investing over 3,000 hours and feeling unable to stop playing. The game's never-ending depth and discoveries keep users addicted even after 20 years. Initial doubts quickly turn into a compelling obsession that drives long-term play.
- Wonder (weight 0.01): Wonder stems from being amazed by the gameplay at first encounter, described as magical and revolutionary. Deep strategic mechanics from unit characteristics and immersive systems inspire awe. The game's ability to captivate players from the start is a core source of wonder.
- Pleasure (weight 0.01): Pleasure arises from replaying the classic RTS, enjoying varied units, AI, and gameplay despite its age. The satisfaction of returning to a beloved title provides a comforting experience. Players find happiness in its timeless strategic elements.
- Fondness (weight 0.01): Fondness is directed toward the original game, which players prefer over remasters. The hours of enjoyment and positive memories cemented the game in their hearts. Its classic status and personal significance evoke warm feelings.}