Expeditions: Rome

There's a saying that goes "History is written by the victors." That's particularly true in this latest chapter of the tactical role-playing Expeditions franchise, Expeditions: Rome. The game does a great job of weaving together the tactical elements of turn-based combat with the deep and branching narrative of a solid role-playing game. And thanks to its alternate timeline setting, that branching narrative allows players to make choices that completely rewrite the pages of history. One minor gripe about the story, though, is that the dialogue seems to slip in and out of character regularly. One minute a character makes a grandiose and inspiring speech about the fate of Rome and restoring the Empire through honor and courage, and the next minute you overhear a conversation between soldiers making wisecracks about the size of someone's genitalia.

As far as the gameplay goes, Expeditions: Rome is a straightforward but solidly built tactical RPG (role-playing game). While the scope of the story is large, the smaller squad size helps to not only keep troops more manageable, but also makes the battles feel more personal. Players' characters develop over time, giving a real feeling of battlefield experience without ever feeling overpowered. The range of difficulty options also gives both newcomers and battle hardened veterans a level of challenge tailor made to their skill levels. Some of the other mechanics outside of the combat, such as the crafting and general troop management, can be a little time consuming, but they're worth dealing with for the extra strategic elements they offer to players. Overall, Expeditions: Rome manages to bring a sweeping historic epic down to a personal level, unique to each player and every playthrough.