Great for learning strategic thinking and some history. This game sparked deep interest with my son in Roman History.
Tools for this page
Rome: Total War (including Barbarian Invasion and Alexander)
(2006, Video Games - Real Time Strategy (RTS), Rated T, Play it on: Windows)
-
Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings(Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)
Not age appropriate for kids under 12, age appropriate for kids over 13; suggested age 13. -
Is it any good?
-
Common Sense says
Impressive game is for teens and up.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 13 and Up
The good stuff
-
Educational value:
What to watch out for
-
Violence:
-
Sex:
-
Language:
-
Consumerism:
-
Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
This review of Rome: Total War (including Barbarian Invasion and Alexander) was written by Jeremy Gieske
Parents need to know that this is a good thinking game, but it has large-scale, realistic battles. No blood, but convincing sound effects get the point across. Overall, the game is full of historical and educational information, although parents may need to decipher what is real history and what's been added to make gameplay more fun. Parents should also be aware that Rome Total War can be played online, which Common Sense Media does not recommend for anyone under 12.
Families Can Talk About
Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
- Families can talk about how great warriors and their conquests are used as a plot for many games, movies, and books. What's so appealing about warriors and wars? Is this a good way to learn about history? Are you more likely to remember something you saw in a game versus reading a history textbook? Are there any liabilities to learning this way?
More on Rome: Total War (including Barbarian Invasion and Alexander)
What’s the Story?
The original ROME: TOTAL WAR is set from 270 BC to 14 AD, roughly following the transformation of the Roman Republic, controlled by the Senate, into the dictatorship of the Roman Empire. Following many campaigns against the other civilizations of the era, players attempt to gain total control of Rome and become the dictator of the Roman Empire. Both expansion packs, BARBARIAN INVASION and ALEXANDER, require the original game to play and are more difficult. Barbarian Invasion is set after the split of the Roman Empire into the Western and Eastern Empires and chronicles the decline of the Western empire; Alexander doesn't focus on Rome, instead following the conquest of Greek warrior Alexander the Great.
Close
Is It Any Good?
Rome: Total War and its two expansion packs are all brilliantly designed. The games are complex, but players will grow comfortable operating within them after half an hour or so. Players will appreciate that they have many strategic options but never feel blogged down in micromanagement. Even the tutorials are fun to play.
The games are a mix of real-time and turn-based strategy. The large-scale battles are impressive to behold, if somewhat gory. Be prepared for realistic depictions of men (and a few women) being speared, run over by chariots, thrown by elephants or cut down by swords.
ClosePublisher’s Details
Released on 07/23/2006, price $39.99, not online enabled
ESRB rating: T (for Violence)
ESRB rating: T (for Violence)
Our Members Say
See all 8 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
- I rate this title on for age 10 and give it
OK for some tweens - but not for sensitive children
- I rate this title on for age 8 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Educational
- Safety isn't an issue
Excellent Game
Rome: Total War is one of my favorite games of all time. Whether it be raiding the barbarian Gauls, battling huge war elephants in Carthage, or marching through the gates of Rome itself. A great game. There really are not any issues except the violence, which is really mild.
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
This is a must play for all history obsessed nerds/geeks/gamers
This game was and is A-W-S-O-M-E the singplayer is high interaction sense you have to control texes building militay ETC. and each individual unit is a work of art and about 2 armies of 1000 works of art sent to fight eachother at high intensity, high strategy and high skill battles. The game doesn't even end when you beat the single player for the first time cause when you win you unlock even more factions to paly as and then when your done with single player you can try multiplayer and put your skills to the test. i give this game a 10 out of 10
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
wonderful game!
Rome Total War is a must-play for anyone who likes large battles and strategic gameplay. You even learn about the ancient civilizations during the campaign mode which is lots of fun. There is a full campaign mode where you have to take over the world and there are quick battles where you can just do the fights. Very fun game!
Give Recommendations, Get Them, Too!
Become a member and get recommendations from other parents based on your child's age.Tell us your child's age:
Already a member? Log inOur Members Rate It
Do you play it? 
For Your Family
Get age-based recommendations for your kids:
Customize based on your child's age
