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In ancient times, when cartography was more art than science, a map was a portrait of an empire. An abstraction of its authority in which complexity and diversity were swallowed in one mass of colour, it was painted with an ease that belied the incalculable efforts demanded in swallowing such territory. It was a snapshot of the glory of a realm; a chance for it to puff itself up in front of its peers and coyly ask, "Do my borders look big in this?"And much as the grand reach of Rome wasn't won in a day, neither are the empires of Total War: Rome 2. They spread slowly, oozing across the world like ink on parchment, though that ink is not quick to dry: borders must be defended, rebellions quelled and new territories pacified. Following in the footsteps of advancing armies walk the administrators and architects whose work will sustain these gains. All the while, the rest of the world nurtures its ambitions, with dozens upon dozens of warriors, spies and dignitaries dashing about the land when their turn comes. No, Total War: Rome 2 is not quick.
It is no great departure for the series and will immediately feel familiar to those who've served in previous Total Wars. A turn-based campaign map gives an overview of Europe, east Asia and north Africa, across which journey both armies and secret agents. When a player's army (or navy) meets an opposing force, the opportunity arises to take direct command of the action in a real-time battle.
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