At a Glance

The rise and fall of the Roman Empire is one of the most significant eras in history, yet it is rarely covered in video games. For this reason, it's nice to see this latest release from Eidos - a serious strategy game, which is accurately set in this very time period. Praetorians is set at the time of Julius Caesar's campaigns to expand the frontiers of the Roman Empire. Taking on the role of a Roman General you are transported back to the deserts of Egypt, the frozen lands of the Gauls and to the heart of the Empire itself, Italy. The land you seek to conquer is heavily defended by thousands of troops, all with special skills and individual strengths. Fortresses and war machines stand in your path as you lead your army in a quest for the glory of Rome. You command the forces not only of Rome, but also of the ferocious Gaulish tribes and the religiously fanatical Egyptians. The path to victory depends on the strategies you choose, the tactics and troop formations you decide upon, and whether you learn to combine your forces and exploit your enemies' weaknesses. Rendered in some impressive 3D visuals, Praetorians recreates well a wide range of detail - from the immense scale of the Pyramids right down to the individual centurion. This is always welcome in such a game, enabling you to get fully immersed and really feel like you're part of the action. And if you've ever wondered what it would be like to be part of such important historical incidents, then you might well want to have a look at this game.