Summary
- Release Year: 2005
- Genres: Simulator, Strategy, Tactical, Turn-based strategy (TBS)
- Platforms: iOS, PC (Microsoft Windows)
- Developers: The Creative Assembly
- Publishers: Feral Interactive, Sega
Rome: Total War – Barbarian Invasion (2005)
Rome: Total War – Barbarian Invasion is an expansion pack for the 2004 turn-based strategy game Rome: Total War. Developed by The Creative Assembly and published by Sega, it was released on September 29, 2005. Barbarian Invasion takes place during the late Roman Empire, and depicts the rise of the barbarian tribes that eventually led to the fall of the Western Roman Empire.
The game features eight new playable factions: the Visigoths, Ostrogoths, Vandals, Alans, Saxons, Franks, Alemanni, and Sassanids. Each faction has its own unique units, strengths, and weaknesses. For example, the Visigoths are a well-rounded faction with strong cavalry, while the Vandals are a naval power with a focus on raiding.
Barbarian Invasion also introduces a number of new gameplay features, including:
- Family trees: Each faction leader now has a family tree, and players can marry their children to other faction leaders to form alliances.
- Agents: Players can now recruit agents, such as spies and assassins, to perform special missions.
- Religion: Religion now plays a more important role in the game, and players must manage their religious tolerance to avoid unrest.
- Barbarian invasions: The game features a new system of barbarian invasions, which can occur at any time and can be very difficult to repel.
Barbarian Invasion was a critical and commercial success, and is considered to be one of the best expansion packs ever made. It was praised for its new factions, gameplay features, and historical accuracy.
Gameplay
Barbarian Invasion is a turn-based strategy game in which players control one of eight factions and attempt to conquer the world. The game is played on a large map of Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East.
Each turn, players can move their armies, build new units, and manage their economy. Players can also engage in diplomacy with other factions, such as forming alliances or declaring war.
Combat in Barbarian Invasion is turn-based and takes place on a separate battlefield map. Players can control their units directly or use a variety of automated commands. Combat is resolved using a combination of dice rolls and unit stats.
Factions
There are eight playable factions in Barbarian Invasion:
- Visigoths: A well-rounded faction with strong cavalry and infantry.
- Ostrogoths: A faction with a focus on heavy infantry and siege warfare.
- Vandals: A naval power with a focus on raiding and piracy.
- Alans: A nomadic faction with a focus on horse archery.
- Saxons: A Germanic faction with a focus on infantry and seafaring.
- Franks: A Germanic faction with a focus on cavalry and heavy infantry.
- Alemanni: A Germanic faction with a focus on infantry and raiding.
- Sassanids: A Persian faction with a focus on heavy cavalry and elephants.
Each faction has its own unique units, strengths, and weaknesses. Players must carefully consider their faction’s strengths and weaknesses when making strategic decisions.
New Features
Barbarian Invasion introduces a number of new gameplay features, including:
- Family trees: Each faction leader now has a family tree, and players can marry their children to other faction leaders to form alliances.
- Agents: Players can now recruit agents, such as spies and assassins, to perform special missions.
- Religion: Religion now plays a more important role in the game, and players must manage their religious tolerance to avoid unrest.
- Barbarian invasions: The game features a new system of barbarian invasions, which can occur at any time and can be very difficult to repel.
These new features add a lot of depth and complexity to the gameplay of Barbarian Invasion. Players must now manage their family trees, use agents to their advantage, and carefully manage their religious tolerance. The new barbarian invasion system also adds a new level of challenge to the game.
Historical Accuracy
Barbarian Invasion is a historically accurate game that depicts the rise of the barbarian tribes that eventually led to the fall of the Western Roman Empire. The game features a number of historical events, such as the Battle of Adrianople and the sack of Rome.
The game’s units, buildings, and characters are all based on historical research. The developers worked closely with historians to ensure that the game is as accurate as possible.
Reception
Barbarian Invasion was a critical and commercial success. It was praised for its new factions, gameplay features, and historical accuracy. The game was nominated for a number of awards, including the BAFTA Award for Best Strategy Game.
Barbarian Invasion is considered to be one of the best expansion packs ever made. It is a must-play for fans of the Rome: Total War series and for anyone interested in the history of the late Roman Empire.
Review Score
8.5/10
Art
Cover Art
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