Common Sense Media Review
By Marc Saltzman
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Compelling war strategy game combines brains with brawn.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Play
Videos and Photos
Total War: Rome II
What's It About?
Similar to its award-winning predecessor, TOTAL WAR: ROME II is a real-time strategy game that lets you take control over one of nine unique, ancient factions: Rome, Carthage, Ptolemaic Egypt, Macedon, Pontus, Parthia, The Suebi, The Averni, and The Iceni. While there are some economic and political decisions to make, in order to advance your civilization, much of the gameplay involves military might. Using the computer mouse, you'll select and move troops on a huge map, to support a number of offensive or defensive maneuvers. The main campaign begins in 272 BC, a time when the Republic of Rome dominates the Italian peninsula and is eager to expand. Along with a number of historical missions and an open "sandbox" turn-based campaign, the game also houses additional two-player cooperative and competitive modes.
Is It Any Good?
Yes. Computer gamers who prefer some brains with their brawn will no doubt enjoy clicking through Total War: Rome II. The thoughtfully conceived and meticulously executed PC game offers deep and challenging tactical gameplay; multiple factions and modes to choose from; and unique weapons, battlefields, and tech trees. In other words, there's a lot of meat here. A smart tutorial campaign will familiarize you with the controls, interface, and strategies needed to tackle the varied solo and multiplayer campaigns. Despite a few technical bugs -– many of which have been addressed in a recent software upgrade -- and a camera that doesn't quite zoom out enough for larger battlefields, developer Creative Assembly has created an ambitious and engrossing historical strategy simulation worth sinking your mouse into.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Can gamers learn about history, geography, and diplomacy with a strategy game like this? There is an educational component to the game, not to mention actions and consequences.
Since this is a game about war, how do you feel about showing some violence in a game if it's rooted in history, and if there are repercussions for military attacks?
Game Details
- Platform : Windows
- Subjects : Social Studies : cultural understanding , government , history , Language & Reading : following directions , reading , Math : probability
- Skills : Collaboration : cooperation , meeting challenges together , Emotional Development : developing resilience , handling stress , moving beyond obstacles , Thinking & Reasoning : applying information , decision-making , strategy , Self-Direction : goal-setting , motivation , time management , Responsibility & Ethics : integrity , learning from consequences , respect for others
- Pricing structure :
- Available online? : Available online
- Publisher : Sega of America
- Release date : September 3, 2013
- Genre : Strategy
- Topics : Friendship , History
- ESRB rating :
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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