This is the definitive edition of a grand strategy game set in the ancient world, offering a comprehensive experience of empire building, warfare, and political maneuvering. Players are thrust into the tumultuous era of the Roman Republic, tasked with guiding their chosen faction from a nascent power to a dominant force that shapes the course of history. The game blends intricate turn-based campaign management with real-time tactical battles, demanding strategic foresight on a global scale and decisive leadership in the heat of combat.

The Emperor Edition represents the most complete version of the game, incorporating all significant updates and improvements released since its initial launch. This includes a refined politics system that adds depth to internal governance and diplomatic relations, overhauled building chains for more strategic city development, and rebalanced battles that offer a more dynamic and challenging combat experience. Visual enhancements have also been applied to both the campaign map and the battlefield, creating a more immersive historical setting.

The Grand Campaign and Strategic Depth

At its core, the game presents players with a vast campaign map representing the known world of the era. Here, players manage their empire's economy, infrastructure, research, and diplomacy through a turn-based system. Each turn represents a season, during which players can move armies, construct buildings, recruit units, and engage in political actions. The goal is to expand your territory, secure vital resources, and overcome rival factions through a combination of military might, economic strength, and cunning diplomacy.

Real-Time Tactical Battles

When armies clash on the campaign map, the game transitions to a real-time battlefield. Here, players command thousands of individual soldiers in large-scale engagements. Success hinges on troop composition, formation, battlefield positioning, and the effective use of unit abilities and general's skills. The scale of these battles is a hallmark of the series, offering a visceral and engaging combat experience.

What Makes This Edition Definitive?

The Emperor Edition stands out by integrating a wealth of post-launch content and refinements. This version includes:

An improved politics system, adding layers of intrigue and consequence to internal faction management and external relations.
Overhauled building chains, allowing for more diverse and strategic city development paths.
Rebalanced battles that offer a more engaging and challenging tactical experience.
Enhanced visuals across both the campaign map and battlefields for a more immersive historical setting.
All feature and content updates released since the game's original launch.

Available Additional Content

Beyond the core Emperor Edition, there are 3 downloadable content packs (DLCs) that offer further customization and expansion to the game's experience. These DLCs introduce new playable factions, campaign scenarios, and units, allowing players to explore different historical starting points and challenges.

Core Gameplay Mechanics

The gameplay loop involves strategic planning on the turn-based campaign map, followed by tactical execution in real-time battles. Key mechanics include:

Empire Management: Balancing economy, public order, and growth through city building and provincial development.
Diplomacy: Forging alliances, negotiating trade deals, and engaging in espionage with other factions.
Military Recruitment and Logistics: Raising armies, managing supply lines, and ensuring troop readiness.
Technological Advancement: Researching new technologies to unlock advanced units, buildings, and abilities.
Naval Warfare: Engaging in sea battles and managing maritime trade routes.

What is the Setting and Atmosphere?

The game is set during the height of the Roman Republic and its transition into the Roman Empire, a period of immense geopolitical upheaval and expansion. The atmosphere is one of grand ambition, political intrigue, and the ever-present threat of war. Players will experience the challenges of leading a civilization through a pivotal historical epoch, striving for dominance and legacy.

This title is available on PC (Microsoft Windows) and Mac. It was originally released in 2013, with the Emperor Edition being the most comprehensive version available.