The game is fun for the first time or two you play. Playing it a little more you realise it's more of a modifier simulator and doesn't offer the deep gameplay other paradox games offer. If you want something more shallow and simple than usual paradox games you will like the game. If you want something closer to usual paradox games offering you will be disappointed. PROS: -Theme and Setting: Ancient world setting which we don't see very often. -Map and Graphics: Map is nice and the graphics are visually pleasing. -Music and Sound: Music and sound are nice and fit the theme. -Characters: Simple character management. Not many interactions and you can pretty much ignore them, only changing them if their loyalty is low. -Combat: Combat is relatively simple. There are options like tactics, which you can pretty much ignore for most of the time. -Diplomacy: Diplomacy is relative simple. Not to many options to make it complicated. CONS: -Patches break save compatibility: Almost every patch will break save compatibility. -Missions and Objectives: Events, missions and objectives are uninspired and boil down to what kind of modifier you want. -UI: UI is convoluted and makes finding things difficult. -Characters: Simple character management. Not many interactions and you can pretty much ignore them, only changing them if their loyalty is low. -Nations: Nations are justs modifiers. There are only 3 different styles: Monarchy, Rebublic, Tribes. Everything else is just modifiers and colors/names. -Units: All units are the same. The only change between nations is a modifier. -Research: No tech trees. Reasearch is the same for all nations. Every single research justs adds a modifier. Nothing is unlocked (units or special abilities from research). -Combat: Combat is relatively simple. There are options like tactics, which you can pretty much ignore for most of the time. -Diplomacy: Diplomacy is relative simple. Not to many options to make it complicated.
This game is a rather interesting RTS. The base building and managing side is pretty enjoyable but it kind of feels it has a dichotomy on what type of strategy game it is. It appears like a managing/building game like settlers (and kind of plays like one) but the game is very competitive and ends very fast. Most games will probably be over in 30mins, which is a stark contrast to most other managing/buidling games (like settlers). It's a well made game and because of it's niche gameplay it wont appeal to a lot of people. Also the single player offering is kind of lacking as it's mostly focused on multiplayer rather than single player. It is a really interesting game, but I wish it would offer some single player modes that are more settlers like.
