I played Medieval: Total War, and thought nothing would get better, and then I played Rome and was fucking addicted.

I'm playing Barbarian Invasion right now, and after a rough start with the Western Roman Empire, I'm re-uniting the empire under the red banner, taking rich Greece, and soon to take the former lands of Egypt. I kinda screwed up my chance to convert all my original lands into Christian lands.

I remember people talking about how a game that replicates genocide like the Holocaust doesn't exist. In this game, I intenionally burn down religious buildings, let the city revolt (after I destroy military buildings) and slaughter all the weak peasent troops inside, and exterminate 2/3'rd of the population, the first thing I build in the city being a church dedicated to Christ. Damn Pagans and their old gods.

After realizing the importance of the Rhine, I feel like playing as Germania again, expanding, instead through Gaul, through the huge wilderness on the East, take whatever I can (maybe even into Pontus and Selucia/Egypt), and play a defensive strategy against the Romans...

I sometimes wish that there were time periods in Rome: Total War, like in Medieval, so I could start off against stronger opponents.

Edit:

Might as well post some Total War Stuff

Shogun: Total War

Intro Video:

Medieval: Total War

Intro Video

Rome: Total War

Prince of Macedon's Online Battle:

Medieval II: Total War

Intro Video:

Empire: Total War

Intro Video:

Rome: Total War was totally awesome, IMO.

I haven't tried any other Total War games, though.

I love the Total War games, particularly Medieval I and II. I thought the battles in Medieval I were the most realistic in that they often took up to an hour or so to play with troops retreating and rallying for multiple engagements. The battles in Rome were a little to fast for me and I didn't like the way the economy in the game worked, still a good game though. Unfortunately, the games usually destroy the specs on my PCs

I felt Shogun was too simplistic then Medieval striken close to perfection (altrough weak AI was problem) and after that Rome and MTW2 were going wrong way.

With new Empire I don't like the economy changes as they complicate things without adding that much to game.

I love rome total war. The Midieval one was no real improvement. I haven't got the new one yet.

There are some very good mods For Rome total war. I myself helped out with one called the Europa Barbaborum. You should try that one. It makes the original ten times better.

You also have one damn good one for the expansion BI, named IBFD. It makes it more realistic and a lot harder to beat.

How are other RTS's against the Total War Series? After growing up and playing only Total War, I hate the idea of having either Civilization styled games (where everything's about campaign map) and Starcraft like games (where everything's on the battlefield).

I love the realism and therefore, the relateability/common sense approach with Total War when it comes to battles. Cover your flanks, spears beat calvary, swordsmen are better suited against spearmen, Phalanx/Pike own all (but vulnerable in flanks and archers).

Then you could get into more complex strategies like ambushes (both on campaign map and on battles), using siege weapons, horse archers, etc.

I'm rambling now =/

there's nothing like total war. you should pick up empire already. i've got a long ass review of that game on these forums somewhere...

I have a shitty computer, and know nothing about them >.

no need to be scared. it's a welcome change, and the sea battles are rather challenging.

I'm installing EB now. May I ask what you exactly did?