"There once was a dream that was Rome..." Remember those words? That was Maximus talking in Gladiator. For us modern folk, dream is certainly the right word. With the work of Haemimont Games, however, Rome is now less a dream than a place you can explore and control. Following in the footsteps of Imperium Romanum under Kalypso Media's new Grand Ages brand is Grand Ages: Rome.

If you missed the first game in the series, players build their own character, a Patrician, a nobleman, just start ... more >>

"There once was a dream that was Rome..." Remember those words? That was Maximus talking in Gladiator. For us modern folk, dream is certainly the right word. With the work of Haemimont Games, however, Rome is now less a dream than a place you can explore and control. Following in the footsteps of Imperium Romanum under Kalypso Media's new Grand Ages brand is Grand Ages: Rome.

If you missed the first game in the series, players build their own character, a Patrician, a nobleman, just starting out in his career as a politician.

As players progress, they will come across famous historical figures such as Julius Caesar, Pompey and Octavian - patrons who will offer the player additional objectives and whose influence will carry through not just the campaign, but also through free play and multi-player modes.

There are 20 maps of historical locations and cities, with over 60 kinds of buildings and 50 kinds of units to command. Both the economic and combat systems have been retooled and enhanced, with battles playing out in typical RTS style.

You won't be able to control everything in your ancient kingdom, however. Disaster could strike at any moment, with plagues, fires and earthquakes all poised to randomly hit what you've built - all of which will be fully realised on the screen before you! << less