Total War: ROME 2 - Rise Of The Republic REVIEW

[@hafidlho7332]

"it is not good to be using one unit from the beginning of the game to the end" nervously looking at my yari ashigaru

[@MarekKrassus53]

I've always thought that tactics are what counts in Total War.

[@semp224]

Hahahahaha

[@semp224]

@@MarekKrassus53 ai are quite dumb even on legendary level

[@keuwlcat1319]

@@MarekKrassus53 >so what you are saying is death blob but bigger?" - total war ai

[@RepublicOfPlay]

Hi guys, the conversation right now is dominated by the new Three Kingdoms footage right now, but because I'm blacklisted this is the fastest I could get it out (1 week after release), and obviously don't have access to the Three Kingdoms stuff. Please consider giving the video a like to help out!

[@SwordEncarmine]

Legendoftotalwar explained in detail why the game is so hard at the beginning and so easy on mid/late game

[@SwordEncarmine]

Matthew Carney he is critical

[@robosoldier11]

Wait your blacklisted from CA? The fuck? I know you fell in favor form them due to being an employee and then drifting away but out right blacklisted? Just strange.

[@jamreal18]

Thank you for the review.

[@godricalex3531]

@robosoldier11 you know, there are some kind of ex-bosses that got pissed because you criticized their performance (and products) after you quit from them and got a new job. They believed you are unfaithful and have no loyalty or some sort, but all we do are just telling the truth, so... truth hurts! :) Thanks for the great review Darren. I was kinda vague either to buy this DLC or not but after watching some let's play and your review, I decided it is not worth the money. "Rome 2 is just being Rome 2".

[@cass7448]

Honestly this should have been a more comprehensive "Early Rome" DLC which included the Pyrrhic War and First Punic War as mid-late game events.

[@CottonPanzer]

Just commenting to let the KZbin algorithm know that this should be promoted. It's good. Just don't have more to say right now lol. I agree with the review overall.

[@boyesjoe-joe5587]

"I feel they really need to be nerfed or locked behind a higher requirement" So, for example, a population mechanic where you can only recruit units until you run out of manpower ,which acts as a natural limit that can be increased through population growth or decreased when your settlement is sacked and razed.

[@RepublicOfPlay]

Yep population would be great, I’m just tired of always asking for it :(

[@ArnoDiggle]

The simplest fix for this problem is to include more tiers of units. The issue with Taras is that they have no low-tier sword infantry, so they pretty much just start out with mid-tier, front-line sword infantry that are too good in the early game, but are still solid in the end game. Some of the older games, you're right, went around this issue with population mechanics, but they also had visual upgrades depending on armor level. Spear Militia in Medieval II would look like Armored Sergeants if they had gold armor. I don't think Rome 2, Attila, w/e have this.

[@grimaldus1523]

They had a population mechanic in the older games.

[@123456gordon]

CA: So you want population back guys? well... no, BUUUTTT we have some other gimmicks for you if you'd like!!!1

[@michaelstein7510]

Medieval II’s population mechanic was simple, realistic, and effective. It’s frustrating that CA aren’t learning from mechanics that worked so well in previous games. I realize that game engines change and new developers with new ideas come into the development team, but I just don’t understand why they refuse to implement such obvious improvements. Little things like this are why I haven’t been able to enjoy any of the newer Total War games as much.

[@R3GARnator]

Nice to see someone not kissing CA's butt.

[@1WatchesuSleep]

Unfortunately they kinda have to else they wont get those free exclusives from CA. Just look at what happened with Legends

[@mackcrown3508]

@Blade Strikes he got blacklisted because he made a video about why he didnt like thrones of britannia

[@joke_d]

I think Indypride from milkandcookies total war is often pretty fair when the talks about the TW games and the dlcs etc.

[@gumbyshrimp2606]

Destin milk and cookies is way too big of a warhammer fan to give an unbiased review

[@Jeyeyeyey]

@@1WatchesuSleep just pirate

[@jutsie]

Feels to me CA never tests their content before releasing it. Three kingdoms will be the same. It will look good, but will be a half assed hollow shell of nothing. Damn im so tired of CA these days..

[@Shagrat65]

No naval battles and not being able to train your own units (I wonder if this might be wrong though - has to be surely?) isn't exactly a massive sell for me either mate.

[@shrap8]

They really need competition. I've wished for so many years now for a TW like developer

[@StarRider253]

Creative Assembly don't play their own games

[@desmond3245]

I wouldn't believe what you said 5 years ago. But these recent years the more I look into the game mechanics and mod the game myself, I kind of agree with you. The total war games these day feature tons of tons of artificial difficulties that change the stats, like player nerfs, AI buffs and literally cheats, e.g. AI has no 'fog of war' on the campaign map. Players usually end up having to exploit some stupid moves from the AI get an advantage in battles and on the map, repeatedly, through the entire campaign. I can't even find it 'fun' as a player. It gets tedious very quickly because every battle and encounter plays the same way. I can hardly imagine those who made this would actually enjoy playing the game themselves, knowing these boring mechanics.

[@PedroVieira-jv2ef]

CA is becoming really shit now but they never were too refined with their games. remember the 2handed/pike/shield and so on bugs from m2tw lol that are probably still in the game.

[@Waarlord100]

Unpopular opinion here - but I actually enjoy this DLC a lot. I don't use mods and I've played this DLC from day 1 of release (to this day I finished campaings as most factions) and only bug I had was AI ships not landing on beaches. I also rarely seen ungarrisoned AI settlement. Besides civil wars, late game could also be very challenging. For example, playing as Samnites and conquering most of Italy I finally moved to the north, which was completely controlled by Veneti. They refused alliance, so I attacked and found myself constantly attacked by fullstack armies with cavalry with 140 charge bonus (very deadly to samnite swords). Campaings as different factions feels different, as they have different army and research specializations (syracuse has great mercs, Iolei very good archers, taras hoplites, veneti cavalry, etc). Dilemmas also have different outcomes - for example refusing Massilian doctor sometimes improved loyalty, sometimes seriously damaged (triggering secession). The battles feels more different than standard Rome II as now very few melee units have javelins, AI is actually doing some good tactical stuff, like filling gaps in walls with spears, etc. (although it is still lacking) Although I don't like & buy overpriced DLCs (wrath of sparta, desert kingdoms, most of warhammer DLCs), this one is actually pretty entertaining and historical for the price (for me).

[@giorgiociaravolol1998]

I agree. That was one of the best DLC of Rome II. But obviously, the best one is the mod "Divide et Impera"

[@workingtitle6218]

This was an excellent review. Thorough, with detailed commentary on the little things that are so important to us Total War fans. Thank you, keep up the quality work dude!

[@MilanPavlovic540]

"Creative" Assembly being uncreative again.

[@RepublicOfPlay]

More like "Assembly Line of Content" am I right? AMIRITE?

[@z3parino]

Great video! Really looking forward to your take on Three Kingdoms too, as well as other games in general!

[@TheNetherlandDwarf]

13:30 ha! I get the inverse: ships plowing into the ground and the men panicking as they realize their body is submerged in the sand with only their head visible. Then say 1/4 of the unit climbs out and the rest run in circles underground, still on the deck of the submerged ship. Even had an army walk past them and just walked through the deployed 1/4 as if pitying them and trying to awkwardly shuffle past to take my settlement.

[@BSChristoffersen]

Great review. The reason I subscribed to you (About the time of your first video: 10 tings you want in Rome II), was because of the production quality of your videos, and your spot on critique of Rome II. You managed to mediate exactly how I felt about the game! When you started working at CA, I thought of you as kind of a sellout (But still hoped that you could make some changes). Now I enjoy your honest and objective reviews. It is nice to see a video without swayed opinions. The blacklisting just confirms your credibility

[@sonemesis7083]

I had a very different experience as Rome. I found myself getting declared war on constantly, by factions I had created strong bonds with, right out of the gate. It was endless war. Around turns 40-60 my main generals I'd been using a died along with their armies from an ambush from my previous allies (Neapolis), so that lead to the recruitment of ridiculous amounts of mercenaries and a -3000 gold per turn which meant looting became a necessity. That lead to public order problems from slaves and yeah... It was an endless grind. Quite difficult too, with me saying oh shit pretty much every turn as a new rebellion sprung up. At turn 70 however everything evened out which is what I am at now. My public order problems are being fixed, and my armies are finally cleaning up factions. As a side note, spies are amazing assassins, dignitaries steal a shit ton of money from Taras, and champions are... Fucking useless. I guess they can get stabbed by their spies... Edit: This was all played on hard-very hard mode. I have finally passed round 70. And my best generals field experience rank 7-8 (gold) right out of the gate... I haven't had many bugs, aside from naval ships that won't land. That's it. Seccesions aren't that bad when dealt with properly. I don't get what the fuss is.

[@adamorlowski4886]

i played 4 IRL days of just constant defending my lands as rome because every faction declaired war with me.

[@jamiengo2343]

SoNemesis is this good?

[@sonemesis7083]

Ehh. Not worth the money. Torrent it, or just play normal Rome 2 but declare war on everyone

[@adamorlowski4886]

It was perfect dlc. For people who enjoy history anyhow

[@sonemesis7083]

I mean, I enjoy history, especially ancient history. But still, if you wanted to learn about history you have history and books. The DLC was fun, and was an uphill battle throughout my campaign (finally hit turn 90), but it costs money. I don't have lots of money. Therefore I rate everything very harshly. Hell, I'm using my friends steam account to play Rome 2.

[@RomanImperialXII]

When did the blacklist thing happen? After you left CA? Sorry if you get asked this a lot but its the first time I heard about it (I think..)

[@davidm1563]

I gotta say I was pretty keen for this DLC when I first heard about it as the timeline seemed interesting being that it was set before Rome become a great power and was only in its infancy but upon opening the Steam page for it I just said "F**K OFF then closed it down immediately. I mean maybe it's just me and I'm feeling a little tight right now but how the hell can they honestly justify charging $20.00 USD for ONE campaign??? P.S Love the reviews Darren, well spoken, covered everything that needed covering and straight to the point! Cheers mate.

[@byronkooper]

Hey Republic, was interested what difficulty you play on as I'm playing on very hard and the Ai has 3+ armies atleast for each faction and they have defenses in all settlements, even new ones they have taken over.

[@DeadLikeMeJ]

Terrific review ... the fact CA blacklists the only people who give quality review who actually criticize and not only praise them just seems to me a bit off ...but what do I know.

[@Nebelkorona]

Excellent review as usual, detailed and thorough.

[@SirAdrian87]

I got the disembarking bug too. You can fix it by sending the ships slightly out to sea, just enough for them to have to reposition again when you tell them to land, and then clicking like mad when they are near shore again.

[@bjam7777]

I played as Syracuse and after about 50 turns I had 4 well trained army’s who’s steam rolled the whole map with no challenge. For me the Greek states were still over powered when in players hands. Also I tend to adopt very defensive positions and they ai never tried to ware me down with arrows or flank me just charged head on and got thrashed.

[@aaronlewis702]

Great review! Perfect blend of professionalism and authenticity, i'll stay tuned for more. It's a shame, I actually got a little excited for this with the marketing, didn't buy it obviously, it's CA, but still, almost felt like a kid again as I wondered about the campaign instead of figuring out how their going to fuck me over.

[@RomanumChristum]

I bought it. Never regretted it ever. Insanely amazing campaign

[@Monkey_SK]

Good review once again. Can't say I'm excited by this DLC but hopefully patches will keep coming. One question, do any of the new playable factions in this DLC, appear in the grand campaign as playable?

[@RepublicOfPlay]

Nope I don't think so, had a quick look to double check. Syracuse are in my Grand Campaign because of Hannibal at the Gates I believe. There's no playable Samnites, Veneti or otherwise from what I can tell.

[@RagnarokTotalWar]

Keep the excellent content coming! I need to know. How the blazes are you blacklisted by CA? Is it because you're friends with Legend? Or because you keep giving honest reviews of their games?

[@RepublicOfPlay]

I worked there for a few years, and when I left and started Republic Of Play, I livestreamed my complaints about Warhammer and their business practices.

[@RagnarokTotalWar]

Ah, right, I guess that would do it. Though, I feel like CA could handle criticism a bit better. In any case, all the best. Loving your content on KZbin. Will have to try and catch your live streams on twitch.

[@SwordEncarmine]

Great video I just wished you had shown the unit rosters in detail 😂

[@Burnitdownnn]

great comprehensive guide! subscribed!

[@mickgar7339]

Thanks for the review, keep up the solid content my man!

[@Leeuwenwacht]

Happy to have watched your review! I'm not going to buy this until the DLC gets a nice price drop :) keep up the good work!!

[@GonzoTehGreat]

I'm intending to start playing Rome 2 soon but I'm not new to Total War having previously played a lot of Medieval 2 (2006) and Rome 1 (2004) however, I can already tell that Rome 2 (2012) has a LOT of additional features and mechanics compared to those two earlier games which are both about 15 years old now. Question: For a new player would you suggest starting with "Rise of the Republic" before "Empire Divided"? I appreciate that RotR is a DLC and a prequel to the the main game but if it's smaller scale and simpler in terms of game mechanics then perhaps RotR is a better place to start as the learning curve won't be as steep?

[@josueramirez531]

Hey man, I like the review its well balanced and doesnt try to cause unnecessary flaming. It's refreshing that you are critical without just bashing a developer.

[@Proud2bGreek1]

2:00 “Greek and Hellenic influences “ Greek and Hellenic mean the same. In the Greek language both modern and ancient my ancestors referred to themselves as Hellenes, not Greeks.

[@bronxgroyper6568]

Why do so many Turks hate Greeks?

[@Proud2bGreek1]

@@bronxgroyper6568 They do so because from the moment their "ancestors", the turko- mongolian nomadic tribes invaded Anatolia which belonged to the Byzantine empire 1000 years ago, Greeks and Turks have been at almost constant war against each other.

[@bobbyjones6438]

I find it interesting that you said the DLC had a lack of battles. I've heard multiple reviews where they say the opposite. to the point that they say it's such constant battles,it gets repetitive and boring. Between the constant civil wars and random armies etc

[@RepublicOfPlay]

Yeah there was barely any armies moving around my campaigns... there was in the beginning, but once a nation gets big they dont seem to really increase their armies size so the campaign empties out.

[@rjfaber1991]

+RepublicOfPlay - True, but I think that also just indicates another issue with this campaign; far too few factions survive into the midgame. It's been the case for a long time in TW games that it's easier to fight a single ten-region faction than ten single-region factions, but the former is all you really get in RotR in its current state: Taras will conquer the entire south of Italy, Tarchuna the entire north and Syracuse all of Sicily, so before long, Sardinia and the Italian "Midlands" around Latium and Sabinia are the only places in which any conflict whatsoever is still going on.

[@dannyanggawan]

Maybe depend on what faction you play, i tried both Taras (because they have archer) and Rome, i find Rome have more battle than Taras at begining.

[@valipunctro]

"clouds" blockin view and crushing frame rate since 2013

[@TN000NT]

Good review - I agree with your points. Hope CA listens to these comments and act - they did for the family tree features. Hopefully not as an "extra" DLC to fix a unrefined game, but existing from the beginning. Fans can only hold out for so long before abandoning.

[@aahmed2426]

How do win the insubres campaign I almost finished but there a thing druids grove or druids circle and I don't know how to do it?

[@josephar4720]

I will speak for my self here, I had the opposite happened. The hostile factions were birthing armies like Skaven breeding pits and I had secession by turn 20. I loved the challenge and constant (to their economic demise) fighting. Factions did garrison their cities specially the walled cities. Still, I appreciate the review, thanks I'll be on the look out for more of those bugs

[@RepublicOfPlay]

There's lots of armies in the beginning, but like I said, for me at least, when I got three armies up and running, there was nothing left to do. See the example at 8:37 time. They have 18 settlements, and only 39 units total defending it across multiple small armies. I'd be interested to know if when you got to turn 50 lets say, was there any faction with more than 2 armies?

[@josephar4720]

RepublicOfPlay for sure, I'll keep a look out for behavioral changes in military activity as the game progressed, thanks for the reply.

[@zacharysain8516]

Hey could u review how this will affect multiplayer? They change to formation depth alone are a huge change, along with whatever else they have added

[@RepublicOfPlay]

I really just don't play multiplayer, there's no progression or incentive to do so. Sorry. When I do play, it's usually just custom siege battles with friends.

[@Deads0up]

Pre ordered this then forgot about it, will probably do a Syracuse campaign...think they're playable...anyway quality video/review, looking forward to the next one!

[@brend1800]

this only reinforces the issues of having no population with settlements, as in older ones a major stack took for example at least 3,000 men from a city population base plus retraining injured units took more making you play strategically as to not retrain at all in populations that are under 3,000 population or not taking too many with too many enemies nearby . The battle for the most advanced troops is made redundant when there is a infinite pool is what im saying since you get more advanced troops to take less damage and to stay in war in pure efficency without having to fight wait and then march out again.

[@andreashartono850]

Hi Darren, as someone that once work under CA, I would like to ask a question that long have no answer nor willing to answer. The recent Total War games has been more and more streamlined, dumbed it down and simplified. It is, in my opinion lose it's strategic value as to older games. Everything feels designed as to be played easy and automatic, therefore lost a fine detail and information which very abundant in the older titles, once again. Do you think Total War being this way is because they aim for teenager with short attention span (which in majority of gamers) or is it because simply this current CA devs can't code the way the old team did ?

[@hartley9958]

Good review Darren i played with Rome and it was tough everyone declared war on me, but the bugs ended that campaign pretty quick, however i played perpignon and it was different, however theres too many game breaking bugs have been reintroduced into the game it just pissed me off..

[@Dorrzo]

What we need is new devs to compete with CA on our history niche. The free market will usually fix things.

[@nicuhosu]

Good review! Commenting to support! I've played Rome II more than any other TW and I enjoyed this DLC. I thought initially that it would be a bit on the boring side like Wrath of Sparta (which after beating once I never touched again), but I was surprised by how much flavour is in this campaign. I love how even the Triarii for the Romans are redone and are more colourful to reflect this early period. I wish they'd retrofit these units into Hannibal at the Gates also. Yes, as you said, the problems are basically the Rome II problems. But Shogun 2, Napoleon and Rome II are enjoyable games for me, despite their (often similar) problems.

[@eddienom]

Good stuff! I think the Rome Campaign in this DLC is too difficult. I am attacked by everyone. I defeat one enemy another one takes it place. Is anyone else having this dilemma?

[@RomanumChristum]

With shitty units too? Yea well that was how IRL Rome was. IRL Rome at this time had shitty troops, shitty diplomacy and even shittier situation with everybody around them trying to kill them or each other.

[@SpikyDane]

good vidoe, recently bought this dlc

[@joeroganpodfantasy42]

The game was too easy then he says the game was too hard. I dont know what devs can do

[@ChaosPuppyAduna]

Maybe CA holds their review copies from you so you can't get out your review immediately, but you are also one of few youtubers covering these releases critically, so it's not like there are a tons of other places we can go to get this kind of information prior to your review. It's disheartening to hear it means less revenue for you, but your'e still always going to get a view and a like from me for the sheer fact that few who get an actual review copy are making a serious attempt to duplicate your balanced and unbiased reviews. Thank you for your effort!

[@ryanpearce1964]

Which is better, this dlc or thrones of Britannia?

[@johnscone722]

What is the AI like? Do they make units beyond the bottom tier crap unlike on the main Rome 2 campaign even on hardest difficulty?

[@vojislavpokrajac7553]

I can't speak for this campaign, but i think Darren said that they don't make good stacks, but I have just played a galatia campaign in the grand campaign and I can say that the AI now actually makes pretty solid stacks of troops, I fought the Cimmeria in the north and they had 3 full stacks, with scythian hoplites, cimmerian hevy archers, some shitizen cavilary and some heavy armor horse archers

[@ReplayButtonsReaper]

did i missed it or you said nothing about cheaty unlimited stat boost for your generals just for gravitas?

[@stix0951]

Some of the stuff discussed here was fixed in a later update in September 4 2018 You should prob update the decription on this video. SEE: TOTAL WAR: ROME II - RISE OF THE REPUBLIC BALANCE PATCH NOTES

[@PlaystationNation2k9]

Hi Darren, thanks for the review. I don't think I'll bother with this DLC, which is a shame, because I really love early Roman history. Maybe one day if it's on sale, I might grab it then. Thanks again!

[@RepublicOfPlay]

Thanks for the comment, hope you enjoy it if/when you pick it up!

[@PlaystationNation2k9]

RepublicOfPlay thanks, I've be listening to Mike Duncan's The History of Rome again, and the early episodes of the podcast actually had me looking forward to this DLC... So I'm sure I will get it someday.

[@skylerslack12]

i heard this DLC messes up mods that effect unit behavior. like DEI. is this true?

[@RepublicOfPlay]

Not true

[@lvfc_4786]

Propably for me the most important thing are the late game AI armies. When i decided to go fight Mega Syracuse they did throw quite a good bit of armies at me. Now if only they weren' t 50% Native Sicilian tribesmen, that could have been a fun war :(.

[@jereboy2005]

I trust reviews that come out after a game is released rather than ones that come before or on the day of. I like your reviews, didn't know you were blacklisted, but I do hope you continue to review total war products going forward. As for this. More of the same is actually ok in my books since I enjoy rome 2. The only newish thing being the government mechanics is good enough for me. However, more of the same is not enough for the price tag, especially since it adds nothing back into the grand campaign. This is a DLC I will definitely get. But only when its on sale.

[@RepublicOfPlay]

This was a great comment to read, thanks and hope you enjoy it when you get it!

[@pcgamingforevah]

Great review, but why are you blacklisted by CA?

[@Matmannen01]

I think I've played 10-20 hours of RotR and I haven't meet any of the gamebreaking bugs though the ai has formed a phalanx to guard a chokepoint in the wrong direction, making the phalanx easy pickings for my basic ranged. What I like is the focused rosters of the factions. I am currently playing the samnites and I'm looking forward to playing as Taras. Since carthaginean vs Roman meddling seems to be a theme, I wish there would be more of that rather than just buffs or debuffs or creative ones atleast. For example, I chose to allow Carthage to build a Temple to Baal-hammon. For it I got some improved order from other cultures. I should have gotten a buff in exchange for debuffs like lowered public order or lowered party loyalty. I mean, I'm selling out to foreign Gods, that's serious. I've seen the messages pop-up regarding migrations and it's said to see that the are single stacks. We're CA creative, they would have tighed migration sizes to Imperium so that they would always be a problem to the player. To balance the suprise element of migrations, perhaps they could be warned about through a messages about spies and rumours that a migratory wave are coming in x general area 5 or 10 turns before migration has arrived.

[@HeliodromusScorpio]

13:38 the same happened to me funnily the first time ever in rome 2

[@thegreatkhan4601]

Very good review, although I feel like the score could've been lower. Watched the last stream of your campaign and the gameplay bored me to death.

[@dcoff479]

I think this is a very fair review. nice job!

[@skoomamuch356]

hope CA wouldn't abandon TW Attila for Patches, content and Optimisation

[@Shinaro777]

Good review, commenting to support

[@MrKhalsaman]

Are civil war armies so advanced because they are fixed to have the same sort of army throughout the duration of a campaign rather than it being coded to take a player’s tech into consideration

[@laserprawn]

I guess I appreciated everything you disliked - if you want the Romans to play like Wood Elves, or have some interesting spells to cast that make Hoplites become different than they are, I suppose there is another TW game out there to play. I didn't expect new mechanics at all, and I'm glad they didn't screw with it too much.

[@RepublicOfPlay]

I of course dont want magic spells. Something like a population mechanic couldve been added as these small empires would have a much more tightly constrained pool to sraw people from. Maybe technology works different, needing different resources and gold to unlock. Maybe new building chains could be added, maybe new ways to recruit, maybe new diplomatic options to allow trading / bribing towns. Anything really. And i was hoping for a new mechanic that all factions would use.

[@hats1642]

It makes sense that there are few to no "elite" units. Italy in the early years of the republic wasn't spectacularly wealthy or advanced.

[@ComanderSev]

5:00 - in my opinion this is the point of DLCs though, give me the game I already have and like but with a new setting. If they ended up adding a mechanic I like just for a DLC I would be sad not to have it in the base game, while having 5% of the unit variety of the base game in the DLC. It would mean I always get the short end of the stick. Also it would be like content locking behind paywalls. Just like paradox greed is locking basic game features behind DLCs

[@RepublicOfPlay]

I just think when its so far out from the release, something that’s actually different would be nice. I like how with Warhammer Total War each new race has some interesting mechanic going for them too.

[@ComanderSev]

While I understand the surge for some new mechanic, I think its better to not lock it into a DLC only scenario. Kinda like how the family tree was added to the base game and all DLCs, instead of getting locked behind a DLC paywall and only beeing in that one scenario. (And locking basic game mechanics behind paywalls is just how paradox does it, I really prefer the CA DLCs in that category.) Like in RotR with the region specific units, which is basically like the auxiliary units for rome, but imagine that feature beeing locked to be RotR only. If we not already had that in the base game, it would be a shame to lock it away to a DLC only scenario. For me the base game just has a higher replay value than DLCs, they provide a new setting and breath fresh air into Rome 2. But after trying the factions I like to play the base game again, it would suck if a feature I liked would be now unavailable on the bigger map. (But Im also glad the bandits and cults thing from Empire Divided did not get added to the base game)

[@Urathomable]

As ever with Rome 2, if you wish to play; it seems that Divide et Impera is the answer. Edit: corrected a typo.

[@mikexxx8378]

And or War of the Gods mod

[@TheSaintArmando]

Divide et impera’s team Will fix CA’s game for them like They Always do, just wait for a compatibility patch to come out.

[@toopristineproduction]

CA is Afraid of Darren!

[@osun7121]

Looking forward to your professional analysis on tw3k

[@jailan3489]

Good review! I get sick of the mindless and often unwarranted positivity on /r/totalwar. Always come to your reviews for my dose of reality.

[@zentu5408]

totally subsribed! i love total war games but it doesnt mean i have to shove money up CAs ass for every new release. you certailny helped me out!

[@dannyshadbolt229]

I just cant play this game without mods!

[@Phobos1483]

Around the time I bought the game, 2016 or something, when battles were quite nicely balanced. They just seem to invent new things that don't work and release them as a finished game. Either they don't know what we want as gamers, or they just don't test their products at all.

[@Dwamak]

Thanks for the good review.

[@dannyalex5866]

Is there a mod that change the era to Epeiros invasion?

[@andreassewell7413]

What would your thoughts be on a Total War/CK 2 hybrid?

[@vojislavpokrajac7553]

It's called King Arthur I and II, the first and last time paradox tried to impliment real time battles. It faild miserably

[@xgrandchampx8916]

I honestly think Rome 2 should have gotten the warhammer treatment. Instead of them putting all their effort into smaller campaigns that add close to nothing, they should have spend the past 7 years evolving the grand campaign to be as beautiful balanced and feature complete as possible with much, much better AI.

[@andysamuel45]

The AI sucks real bad in my playthrough! During the settlement siege, i played as rome and a single general with full garrison can easily defeat a full two army of neighboring armies since they are easily narrowed down to a single street with their entire army in it, and when they are flanked with the general calvary unit, they all flee.

[@epicmickey2351]

Atilla totally can be made into Medieval 3. Just need a DLC for it lol.

[@user-wp4xt5yv4o]

Hey, Darren, why are you on their "Black List"?

[@user-wp4xt5yv4o]

I mean... Your reviews seem really honest and quite realistic ("quite" 'cause I don't always agree with You on everything), and they have motivated me to buy some of the content.

[@RepublicOfPlay]

I worked there for a few years, and when I left and started Republic Of Play, I livestreamed my complaints about Warhammer and their business practices.

[@user-wp4xt5yv4o]

Well, that's too bad. Both things, You leaving (because, from where I stand, You don't seem to complain for the sake of criticism, but for the benefint of the games, and therefore the community itself, and even if You do, there are things You highlighted that could/should be better), and Their inability to bare some criticism (because, obviously, it can fuel the development of the game, and business practices behind it, again, for the sake of the community). Ofcourse, I'm not trying to be a judge in all that, I was just curious, and surprised, honestly, for the "Black List", so I wanted to support your work here.

[@lucagerulat9114]

I agree with the review one Problem I had was the Start of the Roman campaign i couldn't manage to survive the first rounds untill i installed a plus 5000 Gold incume cheat after the 10 turn or so i deinstalled it and just continude playing normal

[@ioannestheiberian3955]

Wow, in terms of challenge I had a completely different experience than you. I am at turn 125 as Rome and I am facing tons of fullstack Greek armies with high tier troops.

[@RepublicOfPlay]

Wish I had that!

[@ioannestheiberian3955]

I wonder why our experiences are so different?

[@thodoris1178]

Wish I had that too xD

[@blackoutninja]

The original campaign map should have been to this scale

[@TheExiledTyrant]

Good review, felt much the same when I played.

[@schmiddy8433]

Good luck defeating the Veii as rome at the start of the campaign on hard difficulty or higher, it's a Total Bitch. They get 3 units of etruscan city guard as part of their city garrison, one of the best units in the game. Each one got 300 kills against my hoplites by the time they lost 1/3 of their unit, and that's with my units flanking them. So, you would think that all the garrisons are difficult too. Nope, everything else gets steamrolled. Obviously wasn't playtested at all.

[@BLIZNIUK]

Can’t recognize several of the bugs and issues you mention. To say that the game is super easy after round 30 is a bit exaggerated. Especially at very hard as Rome. Not sure we played the same game. It’s more of the same but it’s refined for sure.

[@RepublicOfPlay]

I didn’t play as Rome, but played Taras, Samnites and Iolei for the review. Maybe everyone comes after Rome, I dunno.

[@stranger3731]

I think you are wrong about absence of new features. You forgot about ancestral update which was officially released along with this dlc. And yes, the new update counts. The fact that they did not paywalled new campaign mechanics like other grand strategy game devs do does not mean that there were no new features added. I hate when companies include new balance and mechanic changes along with new content in their dlcs in order to sell more.

[@RepublicOfPlay]

I discussed the free update in a seperate video snd highly praised it. Wheb reviewing a product that people want to know if they should buy, I have to tell then whats on offer and how it plays. I also said I buy the dlc to support the free update, but the score on the review is for the DLC only.

[@stranger3731]

If you say it like this then yes. You are right. However you still talked about ancestral update bugs in this video and omitted new additions. For example, ship disembark bug has nothing to do with this dlc. This new ship disembarking feature was introduced in ancestral update. Therefore, it is an ancestral update issue and is already mentioned in known issues list. Devs already confirmed that it will be fixed in the next hotfix. That's why i was confused and posted my previous comment. I have an impression that when it comes to bugs and issues(especially about the issues which will be definitely fixed) the boundaries between dlc and base game does not matter. However, when it comes to new features ancestral update does not count.

[@GojiraTX]

I completely disagree about your comments regarding difficulty. My first and current campaign as the Iolei has been one of the tensest and most challenging Total War campaigns I’ve ever had. Carthage declared war on Turn 1 and I’ve had to fight tooth and nail just to survive the onslaught. I’m also finding the AI to be much more aggressive.

[@RepublicOfPlay]

Thats alright, for me, I played Taras and Iolei. Once I took around 5 towns I never met any more resistance.

[@sobekcenbite6310]

Is this DLC still buggy?

[@RepublicOfPlay]

A little bit - not as bad as in the review but still some minor issues - battles are still a bit buggy though for unit formations

[@brykit1972]

I might try it when it gets patched a couple more times. And is on sale for .99. :D

[@seanb8163]

I've played about 500 hours of the base game (no DLC aside from faction pacts). I have never completed a single campaign. I've gotten up to turn 80, I've conquered a little less than half the map, but I've never finished. This game just gets way too boring at the end. All the "challenges" at the end of the game are just things you cant do because of the Regiment system that cripples the games pacing. When was the last time a faction was your problem in the Campaign? When was the last time you were getting ready ready to face a faction on the other side of the map and they weren't decimated by barbarians before you got there? You never challenges that bring weight to the game. The construction and diplomacy in the game is too boring to come back to. You flip a regions culture and you put one of each building type in the province and you wont have public order problems or negative food demands. as RepublicOfPlay just said, its getting quite boring playing 5 paid alternate scenario DLCs the exact same way from the beginning. Diplomacy kinda works, but it doesn't change the fact that you hate all the other factions. We still cant trade settlements? REALLY!! All together for over 100 factions, they have four voice actors (they added female rulers but its the same crap dialogue). Between the lack of depth to the diplomacy and the lack of polish they brought to each faction, you just wanna kill as many as possible to bring down the loud time for changing turns. Why do Germanics, Guals, Iberians, and Celts all sound the same? Why do African Tribes, Carthaginians, Egyptians and Persian Groups all sound the same? This game was 80 dollars at launch. Its wasn't just the horrific bugs and poorly optimized stats that made its launch so horrific. Even if the games largest problems were fixed like UI, AI, Stats (Construction/Units), Civil War mechanics, and politics mechanics, the game is still crippled by the regiments and the diplomacy and the sheer pathetic lack of polish, and these problems are still here after 4 new releases cause doesnt want to make anything new. Yes, making new unit models and maps and buildings in a video game is hard stuff. Yes, paying for new voice actors can be expensive. But until CA gets back to the drawing board to make a new transition like they did from Medieval II to Empire (terrible as it was) were gonna be playing the same poorly functioning game with different backgrounds. Its weird cause ROME II is my favorite of the new games. I guess its cause the early and mid game is so addictive.

[@whatsahandle897]

Try the mod Divide et Impera

[@seanb8163]

Oh, by the way, Three Kingdoms is more streamlined bullshit where you cant build your army stacks. Remind me, who are they gonna be selling this game to?

[@rams3955]

+Sean Bodah TW warhammer 1 and 2 are great games though.

[@seanb8163]

I just don't think so. The campaign and siege systems seemed slower and weaker than ever before, and although units and factions in the game had an interesting and fun design, the battles just felt vapid to me. The battles seemed to very stat oriented and victory didnt seem to have a lot to do with formation and positioning. I've only played 80 hours of W1 and W2 seemed like more of the same. But I've played at least 200 hours or more of Medieval II, Napoleon, Shogun, Rome II and Attila and the Warhammer games just didn't match what I wanted from this franchise. Besides that, it seems like CA is slapping on Rome II's structure onto other games that don't fit. The company will get rid of Army recruitment before they consider that the regiment system was a bad idea and they should divert back at least to Shoguns recruitment method. Its a petty company that doesn't respect its fanbase and I'm tired of the disappointments.

[@duramajin3118]

10 bucks for a large campaign like this. Can't complain.

[@Sodsgt2023]

Does anyone know a good turn mod ? For Rome 2?

[@phil9265]

Wait,why are you black listed?

[@max__pain]

A negative review of Thrones of Britannia, i believe.

[@zigakuni8877]

Does any one else wants a Game of Thrones total war, that shit would be awesome

[@crownedpleb9747]

I should have never dropped the 99 cents on Rome 1 all those years ago. To follow how far this series has fallen, to be disappointed year after year is so depressing,

[@acrobatickebab5949]

good stuff

[@swailesy1990]

The one thing that annoys me most which is also in grand campaig is how soon you get a civil war! Ive try my best to keep politics in check but you take enough land it will happen now matter what you do in government :/

[@alecsis882]

What is with the prices? 16.99 $ or 16.99 €. Who in the hell would take the 2nd one?!