Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Rome: Total War – Alexander builds on the core mechanics of its parent title by placing you directly in the sandals of one of history’s greatest conquerors. From the moment you begin your campaign in 336 BC, you’ll traverse the Greek city-states, forging alliances and subduing foes in real time battles that require a deft hand and keen strategic foresight. The compact 100-turn limit raises the stakes, forcing tough decisions about where to advance and where to consolidate your grip on territory.

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The introduction of four new factions—Macedonia, Persia, India, and the barbarian tribes—adds fresh tactical variety. Each faction brings its own roster of 60 unique units, ranging from elite Macedonian hypaspists to Persian cataphracts and Indian war elephants. Managing these forces effectively is crucial, as mismatches in unit capabilities or terrain can turn the tide of battle in an instant.

Rome: Total War – Alexander also shines in its smaller-scale tournament mode. By pitting your chosen faction against a series of predefined opponents—human or AI—you’ll learn to exploit each army’s strengths and weaknesses. This mode delivers a satisfying competitive edge without the need for a massive campaign map, and it’s perfect for quick skirmishes when you don’t have hours to spare.

Multiplayer enthusiasts will appreciate the six historical battles adapted for head-to-head play. Relive clashes like the Battle of Gaugamela or Issus, each with historically inspired objectives and battlefield layouts. The combination of the overarching campaign, tournament format, and standalone battles ensures that every type of strategist finds something to sink their teeth into.

Graphics

Though released as an expansion in the mid-2000s, Alexander retains the distinctive visual style of Rome: Total War while enhancing certain aesthetic elements. Unit models feature distinctive armor designs and weaponry that help you identify friend from foe at a glance, even in the heat of a sprawling engagement. The color palettes of each faction are vibrant—Macedonian phalanxes stand out in a sea of bronze and crimson, while Persian levies contrast in more ornate hues.

The terrain and environmental details add a genuine sense of place to each battle. Deserts around Persia present open fields punctuated by dunes, while the rugged highlands of Macedon restrict your troop movements and favor close-quarters combat. Although the textures and polygon counts feel dated compared to modern titles, they remain serviceable and often charming in their stylized presentation.

User interface refinements from the base game have been carried over seamlessly. Tooltips for unit statistics, straightforward camera controls, and the clean minimap ensure that even newcomers can learn the ropes without being overwhelmed. The UI strikes a balance between accessibility and depth, showing exactly what you need during heated clashes.

Story

Rome: Total War – Alexander delivers its narrative through a blend of turn-based campaign events and scripted battle introductions. As Alexander, you receive historical briefings that set the scene for each major campaign tile or battle, evoking the weight of destiny as you march on Persia. These narrative snippets ground your decisions in the historical context of 336–323 BC.

Key battles—Issus, Gaugamela, the Siege of Tyre—are framed with period-accurate details and unit compositions. They recreate the drama of Alexander’s unstoppable advance, complete with vignettes about rival commanders and the grand ambitions that fueled his conquests. While not heavily cinematic, these sequences deliver enough flavor to keep you engaged and emotionally invested in the Macedonian cause.

The campaign’s event chain also introduces challenges beyond open combat, such as maintaining loyalty among Greek city-states or managing the internal politics of your own ranks. These narrative wrinkles lend depth beyond simple “kill-everything” objectives and make your rise to emperor feel like a genuine struggle against both external enemies and internal doubts.

Overall Experience

Rome: Total War – Alexander is a must-play for fans of tactical historical warfare and anyone who enjoyed the original Rome: Total War campaign. Its focused timeline, coupled with the 100-turn restriction, delivers a lean, mean conquest machine that demands efficient strategy and rewards bold maneuvers. The addition of four new factions and 60 bespoke units injects fresh life into the familiar engine.

There are a few caveats: PC players must own the base Rome: Total War game to install Alexander, and the graphics, while serviceable, have not aged as gracefully as more modern releases. However, the engaging gameplay loop and the historical authenticity more than compensate for any visual shortcomings.

Replayability is high, thanks to the branching nature of diplomatic choices, the tournament mode’s one-on-one challenges, and the variety of multiplayer scenarios. Whether you’re conquering Persia in the grand campaign or testing your mettle in a quick skirmish, you’ll find the experience both rewarding and instructive.

For budget-minded strategists or history buffs looking to step into Alexander’s sandals, this expansion remains a standout in the Total War lineup. Its blend of strategic depth, historical flavor, and varied modes ensures you’ll return time and again to rewrite history—or conquer it precisely as Alexander did.

Retro Replay Score

7.6/10