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Short review

Under the weight of high expectations, this entry in Paradox Interactive's grand strategy family exceeds its promise and truly delivers! Drawing from years of expertise honed across their celebrated titles, Imperator: Rome brings together the finest elements of grand strategy. Incorporating mechanics from Europa Universalis, Crusader Kings II, and even the classic Victoria II, it offers players the ultimate experience. Fans of the genre can look forward to countless nights of pure strategic joy. Once again, the research effort by the teams at Paradox Interactive is gigantic. Imperator: Rome is an ode to antiquity, a marvelous tribute enriched by a stunning soundtrack and a charming visual style.

Long review

In Imperator: Rome, your playground is vast. The campaign map is the largest and most detailed ever offered by the Swedish studio. Spanning from the British Isles to the Indian subcontinent, it includes over 7000 cities and more than 4300 provinces. Suffice it to say, choosing your nation might take a while, especially if you're the indecisive type.
As for the timeline, your journey spans around three centuries, from 304 BC to 28 BC. Unlike Europa Universalis IV or Crusader Kings II, no alternative starting dates are available to the player, though this is hardly a drawback. From the main menu, everything is set to immerse you in the unique atmosphere of the Roman Republic era. The music is sumptuous, and the visual design perfectly aligns with the ancient tone, with an interface that brings to mind the marble buildings of the time.
In short, the immersion is total. Players will effortlessly connect with the piece of history the game invites them to experience. Imperator: Rome is a breathtaking production of remarkable quality, as evidenced first and foremost by its gameplay.
In the realm of grand strategy games, Paradox Interactive is undoubtedly the gold standard. Whether with Europa Universalis, Crusader Kings, Hearts of Iron, or Victoria, the Swedish studio has consistently demonstrated its expertise over the years.
Imperator: Rome is, in many ways, the pinnacle of this impressive catalog. Borrowing proven mechanics from its flagship titles, it delivers a gameplay experience that is deep, detailed, and immensely rich. For those familiar with the studio's past work, the quality here is both appreciated and palpable.
The options for the player are vast. Even before delving into gameplay specifics, it’s worth noting that Imperator: Rome offers various government types. Your experience will differ significantly based on whether you play a monarchy like Macedonia, a barbarian tribe like the Saxons, or a republic like Rome. Choosing your nation has a meaningful impact on gameplay mechanics. As a republic, you must manage political intrigues, elections, and balance in the legislative assembly. In contrast, playing as a barbarian tribe demands an aggressive and mobile approach to expansion.
It’s worth noting that Imperator: Rome may not be the most accessible of Paradox’s grand strategy games. Its blend of mechanics from Crusader Kings II, Europa Universalis IV, and Victoria II can be disorienting, even for seasoned players accustomed to these systems separately. Relearning gameplay where familiar mechanics intersect and overlap can be challenging, but once mastered, the game’s full offerings become apparent.
From the outset, Imperator: Rome places a strong emphasis on warfare. The chosen timeline offers a historical context in the years following Alexander the Great's death and the fragmentation of his empire into various entities. At the start, no hegemonic power exists; rather, numerous nations of varying strength fight for supremacy over time.
Although warfare is central, diplomacy is no less significant, with an array of actions familiar from Europa Universalis IV, including insults, conflict justification, alliances, and vassalization. Some subtle differences exist in Imperator: Rome, particularly as most diplomatic actions now require power points, a slight departure from Europa Universalis IV. With an extensive range of options, you can tailor your strategy to fit your goals.
In Imperator: Rome, diplomatic actions can be conducted both on a national scale and through personal interactions between leaders. For instance, becoming friends with a foreign ruler will make it much easier to form an alliance, though impressing them may require significant expense. Conversely, you might consider eliminating a troublesome rival by plotting their assassination.
Characters hold a central role in Imperator: Rome, with a wide range of types, including rulers, researchers, generals, admirals, government officials, senators, and even prisoners captured in battle. Each is significant and can have a major impact on your game. Economic management is broadly based on Europa Universalis IV and is fairly flexible, allowing you to adapt your strategy to your needs. You can set different tax levels, each with distinct advantages and drawbacks; for example, a high tax rate increases revenue but reduces research efficiency. Additionally, each province contains different population types, a mechanic borrowed from Victoria II. Here, the population is divided into four categories: citizens, freemen, slaves, and tribesmen. This social representation adds another layer of depth to Imperator: Rome.
The social composition of your population will significantly influence your gameplay. It’s not uncommon for one population type to be overrepresented in your social hierarchy, and balancing them will be essential since each group has a distinct role and value.
In essence, Imperator: Rome stands as a testament to Paradox Interactive's mastery of grand strategy, blending familiar elements with innovative mechanics to create an experience that is as complex as it is rewarding. The game’s depth, from diplomacy and character dynamics to economic management and population balance, allows players to fully immerse themselves in the ancient world. Whether building alliances, conquering rivals, or maintaining domestic stability, every choice matters. For fans of the genre, Imperator: Rome offers an unparalleled journey through history.