 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Rome: Total War (including Barbarian Invasion and Alexander)
- Windows
- Price: $39.99
- Genre: Real Time Strategy (RTS)
Common Sense Media says
Impressive game is for teens and up.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
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.
What's it about?
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.
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.
What families can talk about
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?
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AGE
Amazing Game
Wow, this is a great game. If you like ancient history and such, you will love this game. The battles are tight, and the map and turn play are sweet too. There is a good amount of violence, but nothing really bad. Very educational.
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AGE
Best Strategy Game Ever
Rome: Total War is a excellent strategy game for 12+. There are large scale battles in which thousands of troops die but there is no blood or gore. The game is defiantly thought provoking and requires a good amount of planning. The only language in the game is some times soldiers will say "Unleash H***", but that's as bad as it gets.
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AGE
its easyto play and their is no blood. you see the battles from a birdseye view and you can controol the whole army. it teaches kids to controll a whole army and it teaches good decision making. Also, you can controll towns so you have to learn how to run the town and its a fun game.
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AGE
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!
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AGE
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
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AGE
OK for some tweens - but not for sensitive children
Great for learning strategic thinking and some history. This game sparked deep interest with my son in Roman History.
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AGE
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.
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AGE
Only slightly violent.
Strategically the game is fantastic. If you play then there will be several positive influences. You could develop an instinct for geography. ("The Dacians were here, Damascus is here. etc.)
You gain a sense of organization because of the numerous factors taken into account. (Did you know total war won an award for these games because they were so realistic.) Finally you will definetelly learn some history. It is more historically accurate than any game I have ever encountered. The battle scenes may be huge, they may result in hundred, maybe thousands of deaths, but graphically the game is fine. All in all the gameplay is fun, the values are fine, and the violence is nothing most can't handle.
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AGE
Great game
One of the greatest games ever made, includes high educational value.
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| Platforms: | Windows |
| Available online? | Available online |
| Genre: | Real Time Strategy (RTS) |
| Developer: | Sega of America |
| Release date: | July 23, 2006 |
| Price: | $39.99 |
| ESRB rating: | T for Violence |
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