To represent and reflect a battle in a 3D invironment is, undisputably, not a piece of cake!

Nevertheless, Rome Total War seems to have successfully faced the challenge and the outcome reminds the player of scenes from films such as Braveheart, the Gladiator and the Lord Of The Rings, where innumerable hoards engage in battle, roaring and screaming.

Directx 9 is used for the graphics with realistic effects of dust and smoke, reflections on the water and much more.

The strategy map is remarkable as well. It's no longer flat (like the well known Risk board game). On the contrary, it is a 3D map with mountains, forests, rivers etc, which is continually changing according the seasons of the year.

Borders are constantly being violated and the battle begins when a town is besieged or when the army is attacked upon by the enemy on its way. Whatever is visible on the strategy map, will also remain visible during the battle on the battle map, including any change of seasons.

The buildings and the trees of the battle map are impressively realistic and can play an important role during the battle as they can be used as a suitable place from which to launch an ambush. Be careful though, because your army can also be just as easily easily entrapped.

Some Rome: Total War screenshots