i buy rome total war ( short represent rtw ) because i be interested in the add on barbarian invasion . the add on promise to invoke the mood of the final day of the empire and the early middle age and the period that be the subject of gibbon book and the decline and fall of the roman empire . this period hold my special interest because i be fascinate in last day and fall of anything . however i never get around to buy the add on since i be disappoint in the way rome total war work on a strategic level . let get around to rtw main failing before get to the good bit . this way we can end in a happy mood . rtw primary failing be on a strategic level . politics and break down into internal and external relation and be usually base on marriage and the key component in the power game that surround the rise of the roman empire . however in rtw internal relation and while be represent in the game and be beyond the influence of the player . external relationship be well represent and but in rtw you can not arrange a marriage with representant of another nation and an alliance be a easily break a it be agree upon by the ai and which doesn not represent reality and for game purpose it mean it be useless . in fact with the exception of bribe most instrument of the diplomat in this game be either not effective or useless . strangely and while in politics there be not enough control and there be to much control on the economic level . you can develop every town in any way you see fit and while in reality and of necessity the ancient period lack a tight centralize control . only the roman emperor could and because of their vast wealth and power and slightly influence economics and but even when they apply drastic policy these would general fail or backfire . there be more strange thing in this game . for instance and populous city always get inflict with rebellion regardless of how many guard or pacify building you assign to them and so you need to exterminate the population of all large city you conquer . this extreme measure seem to have no influence on the opinion of the rest of the world as far a i know . a bit strange . another strange thing be that when you be roman and the senate will give you quest that half the time simply undo able ( conquer a city in the middle of enemy territory within 10 turn and even if the trip will take 10 turn ) . there be many more example and but let leave it with these two example . now after all this negativity and let have a look at the positive side . the best way to do it be to forget that the game try to accurate depict historic reality of ancient roman time . if you look at the game from the bottom up represent that it be battle generator in which the battle be give a context by have a rudimentary and but easily manageable and strategic shell and the this game be superb . the battle be stunningly well do . there be a wide selection of troop available who composition be dependent on the nation you play . play the greek and you get a hoplite army and play the parthian and you get a horse army and play the roman and you get a heavy infantry army . each nation be well represent with their own troop type which allow for much replay ability and sheer enjoyment when watch on the battlefield . the ai in combat be adequate ( compare it with the ai from mark of chaos and which be two year young and performs bad ) although it be unable to learn from failure and so once you find the key to defeat a specific army composition ( horse archer vs infantry ) then the ai will not adapt his army to the new challenge . the developer have put in every effort to make sure the battle be pleasant experience by easy control and speed of pace and free range of the camera . there be little to more to require . a special remark i want to make for the sound . the developer have choose good sound in the battle and for each of the nation you can play . this be well do and enhance the mood of the game . so here be it and a weak strategic shell but a hell of a good battle generator . with these limitation it be recommend to anyone interested in tactical game . hopefully the add ons will be available in one big bundle in the near future .