Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Age of Empires: The Rise of Rome builds on the solid foundation of the original game by introducing a wealth of new strategic choices. The ability to queue up multiple units of the same type streamlines army production, letting you focus on battlefield tactics rather than repetitive clicks. With a customizable population limit, you can tailor the pace of each match to your liking, whether you’re setting up a frantic clash or a drawn-out war of attrition.

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The expansion introduces four civilizations—Carthage, Macedonia, Palmyra, and an enhanced Roman faction—each boasting unique building designs and strategic personalities. Slingers, armored elephants, camel riders, fire galleys, and scythe chariots expand your tactical toolkit, opening up new flanking maneuvers, naval tactics, and combined arms approaches. These units interact in fresh ways with the original roster, making every battle feel different.

Quality-of-life tweaks round out the experience: a “home” key to cycle through critical events (such as under-attack notifications), a gargantuan “gigantic” map size for epic multiplayer clashes, and several behind-the-scenes bug fixes that improve AI behavior and resource pathfinding. Together, these adjustments keep the core gameplay brisk and engaging while rewarding players who experiment with the expanded strategic options.

Graphics

Although Age of Empires retains its hallmark 2D isometric visuals, The Rise of Rome’s expansion sprinkles in fresh aesthetic details. Each new civilization comes with distinct architectural styles—Palmyrene towers rise like desert fortresses, Macedonian barracks bear Hellenistic embellishments, and Carthaginian docks are adorned with elaborate sails. These touches ensure that every settlement looks unique on the campaign map.

Unit sprites for armored elephants and scythe chariots stand out with impressively detailed armor plating and dynamic weapon animations. Fire galleys, in particular, glow with flaming pitch that flickers convincingly as you ram enemy vessels. Even small additions like camel riders’ flowing robes and Macedonia’s sarissa-armed phalanx create a richer, more immersive battlefield environment.

Map tiles and environmental textures see subtle improvements, especially on new terrain types introduced by the expansion. Verdant riverbanks, scorched desert plains, and dense forests are rendered with improved shading and color contrast. These graphical enhancements may not revolutionize the engine, but they breathe new life into the well-worn maps of the base game.

Story

The Rise of Rome delivers four new single-player campaigns that chart pivotal chapters in Mediterranean history. From Carthage’s ascent under Hamilcar Barca to the epic conquests of Alexander the Great, each campaign weaves historical context into memorable mission objectives. You’ll found cities, negotiate alliances, and wage sieges in scenarios pulled straight from ancient texts.

These campaigns capture the grandeur and turmoil of Rome’s era, blending narrative cutscenes with in-game briefings that highlight key figures and turning points. The Palmyra campaign explores the rise of Zenobia, offering a refreshing female protagonist who challenges Roman hegemony in the East. Meanwhile, Rome’s own storyline traces the Republic’s struggles and triumphs as it grows from a regional power to an empire.

While the storytelling remains concise—true to the series’ focus on gameplay—the historical flavor enriches each mission. Propaganda-style banners, period-accurate unit names, and mission goals that mirror real events help players feel connected to the ancient world. For history buffs and strategy fans alike, these campaigns offer both challenge and immersion.

Overall Experience

Age of Empires: The Rise of Rome perfectly complements the original game by offering substantive new content without overhauling what made the series a classic. The additional civilizations and units provide fresh strategic layers, while quality-of-life enhancements smooth out older frustrations. Whether you’re managing the production queue or micro-ing your fire galleys in naval combat, the expansion feels polished and purposeful.

Multiplayer matches on “gigantic” maps now feature wider fronts and more dramatic flanking opportunities, making large-scale battles a spectacle to behold. On the single-player side, the four campaigns deliver enough narrative variety to keep veteran commanders engaged. The expansion’s balance of depth and accessibility makes it an ideal entry point for newcomers and a compelling reason for seasoned players to return.

In sum, The Rise of Rome stands as one of the strongest expansions in the Age of Empires series. Its careful blend of new civilizations, units, technologies, and gameplay tweaks enhances the original without compromising its charm. For anyone seeking to expand their ancient-world conquests, this expansion is a must-have addition to the franchise.

Retro Replay Score

7.9/10