Total War: Rome II

About Total War: Rome II

Take control of ancient Rome in Total War: Rome II, a strategy hybrid from The Creative Assembly that blends turn-based empire management with large-scale real-time battles. Set during the rise of the Roman Empire, you’ll build cities, manage resources, and lead armies across vast maps. The game lets you choose your path: crush rivals to expand the Republic or seize power as a dictator. Released in 2013 for PC and Mac, it’s a sequel to the Total War series’ 2004 Rome entry. With deep politics and military tactics, it’s a demanding but rewarding experience for players who want to shape history through war and diplomacy.

Gameplay

Each session alternates between the turn-based campaign map and real-time battles. In the campaign, you manage provinces, collect taxes, train units, and forge alliances. When enemies attack, you switch to real-time combat, directing legions, siege engines, and cavalry with hotkeys. Balancing economy, morale, and military logistics is key. Multiplayer modes let you face off against rivals in conquest or diplomacy. The interface is dense, requiring constant attention to unit types, terrain advantages, and resource chains. Battles can last hours, demanding micro-management of formations and terrain. The hybrid structure creates a rhythm of slow planning and fast chaos, with betrayals and shifting alliances complicating long-term strategy.

What Players Think

PlayPile users rate Rome II with 73% completion and an average of 35 hours played. Community moods skew 38% excited, 32% focused, 23% overwhelmed. IGDB scores it 74.9/100. Critics praise its depth but note a steep learning curve. Users report 78% achievements unlocked on average, with 87% satisfaction among completers. Review snippets include “Mastering the intricate systems is a grind but worth it” and “Too many options can be overwhelming for newcomers.” The game’s complexity divides players: 65% say it’s “exhaustingly detailed,” while 35% call it “addictively strategic.” Over 40% replay the campaign after betrayals or failed expansions.

PlayPile's Take

Total War: Rome II is a marathon for strategy fans who enjoy layered systems. At $50, it offers 30+ hours of gameplay for $1.50 per hour. The 34 achievements, many requiring specific unit kills or political victories, add replay value. It’s not for casual gamers, over 20% quit before 10 hours. If you thrive in calculated, slow-burn conquests and don’t mind long learning curves, it’s a solid choice. But for those seeking quick wins or casual fun, skip it. The community’s polarized feedback suggests it’s a niche gem that rewards patience.

Storyline

Become the world's first superpower and command the most incredible and vast war machine of the Ancient world. Dominate the enemies of your glorious empire by military, economic and political means. Your rise will bring admiration from your followers but will also attract greed and jealousy, even from your closest allies. Will betrayal strike you down, or will you be the first to turn on old friends? How much are you ready to sacrifice for your vision of Rome? Will you fight to save the Republic, or plot to rule alone as Dictator – as Emperor?