CivCity: Rome

"A great strategy game."

Game: CivCity: Rome – 7.6/10

Quietly, and without much press (if any at all), Firaxis Games, the masterminds behind the amazing game Civilization, and Firefly Studios, created a great mix of two amazing games. With the great city-planning of SimCity and the amazing civilization-leading of Civilization, the new CivCity: Rome game takes gamers to a place we've all wanted to go—leading and running our own Roman Empire through the means of its very own cities and our control over how they prosper. While a huge hit in many categories, it has its downfalls and it's not difficult to see why it was kept in the dark from most gamers. Yet, overall, it's still a great package for any city-building-fanatic to own.

Graphics: - 10/10 - Beautiful. Stunning. Two words that capture the visual pleasure of CivCity: Rome. A game where it truly pays off to build the most beautiful city possible. With the ability to make ravishing fountains, glorious palaces and temples, this game gives you an amazing view at how incredible the Roman Empire might have looked to the modern eye. The game also includes a very close-view of each individual in your city, as well as a good look at practically anything. It definitely wouldn't hurt to have a video card good enough to withstand the graphics of this magnificently-looking game.

Sound: - 5.0/10 - The sound department of the game is divided between beautifully orchestrated music, and annoyingly horrid voice acting. The music itself is always captivating, regardless of the situation you are in. As you're doing a simple, humble job of building a small Roman city, you're backed by exciting (if not terrifying at times) music that could fit the scenario of a gruesome medieval battle. And at times of war, you're often backed by soothing, calm music. Yet, regardless of the music playing at inappropriate times, it's still remarkably beautiful and easy to listen to.
The voice acting, however, is just terrible. If you happen to be like me and love to push your civilization to dangerous and risky levels of population growth, you're going to have a hard time keeping up with rations, jobs, and nearly everything else. The worst part of this is that any second that your city begins to run out of food, you will be notified. And anytime you start to do anything remotely bad, you will be notified. Always. With the most annoying voice any game could ever have. Your missions are given by the higher authorities of the Roman Empire, yet you don't really need to listen to any of it to succeed in the game. Actually, I did a much better job with my civilization after I turned the voice acting volume completely down. It's something you might have to do as well.

Concept/Story: - 7.0/10 - As far as strategy games go, CivCity: Rome has a decent enough story and plot to earn a reasonable score. You simply help the Roman Empire prosper and grow into the marvelous work of art it (was) in history. Simple and to the point, as should any strategy game of this sort be. As for concept, it's nothing new or original, but it sure as hell beats much of the competition when it comes down to it. It's a Rome game like I've never seen before. It plays very smoothly, it looks astoundingly beautiful, and it'll keep you busy, interested, and happy.

Gameplay Mechanics: - 9.0/10 - The gameplay is superb. Mixing the elements of sim games, quite obviously from SimCity and its knockoffs, with the game engine of Civilization was such a great idea it's almost difficult to wonder why it hadn't been thought of before. With control over buildings, city works, homes, gardens, entertainment, military units and even individual members of your Roman Society, it's difficult not to find something to do as your city begins to build itself. With missions that range from ridiculously easy to frustratingly difficult (as it took me ages to get five houses to grow into palaces), the challenge is there but it doesn't necessarily always have to be.

Replay Value/Fun Factor: - 7.0/10 - It's a strategy game, and as all strategy games go, it's easy to pick up and start a new conquest for your empire. Not only that, but you'll have fun doing so, if you're into strategy games. If you're not, you're going to have trouble finding anything spectacular about this game that no other city-building game has, other than stunning graphics, so it might not be your first choice for a game to buy. However, if you're into city building, this is the game for you.

Final Thoughts: - 8.0/10 (avg.) – A great game to own if you're into the city building aspect of games. It's beautiful, it's fun and best of all, it works. And if you ever get tired of solely building, there's always the military aspect of the game to accomplish. Overall, however, it's a game that's worth the money.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 10/19/06