Centurion Games Review: Defender of Rome Battles

Centurion: Defender of Rome Battles in Real Time Experience

Centurion: Defender of Rome is a third-person action, strategy and historical game. Here you must know the laws of elementary logic. Sure you need to study computer hardware at least at the user level. I would not recommend this game for those ones, who have weak nervous system.

History of the game

If you look into the distant past, in the late 1980's and early 1990's, when the gaming industry was “a newborn baby”, you can discover amazing projects that are almost perfect for the implementation, which were ahead of their time, entered the game classics and created the stereotypes of new genres. One of these games was the strategy Centurion: Defender of Rome. Developed first by no longer existing Cinemaware (its creator was Kellyn Beck), it remains popular even today. However, at that time, the games volume was so small that even the heaviest one could not exceed 4 GB in size, and the whole program was written by one person. This strategy game became a sensation of its time. It was played by millions of people.

The secret of such frenzied popularity consisted of two hypostases. This was the first, really deeply worked out strategy, devoted to the wars of Ancient Rome, and Ancient Rome with its victorious legions is the undisputed idol of millions of fans of military history around the world. The second one was animation that none of the modern war games of that time had.

The game pleased players not only by the beautiful animation series, but also by the structure itself. In fact it was a global strategy, with two full-fledged game modes: strategic and tactical. The soldiers crossed their swords; the cavalry galloped into the attack, the commander led the legionaries into battle, the majestic elephants paced. You could choose one of the many formations, either defensive or offensive. In a special mode of viewing the battlefield, it was possible to see the status of each cohort: morale, state (it is fighting or broken), as well as the maneuvers of all other cohorts.

Nowadays the game got many improvements, and its graphics changed sufficiently, but it is still the stuff that can interest millions (me personally). Playing it in real time is the greatest fun.

Gameplay and storyline

The player will have to try on the role of the centurion of Rome and conquer the whole world, using for this purpose any necessary means, from diplomatic negotiations to military operations. The player who prefers the second option should be prepared for large-scale battles taking place in real time with the possibility of including a pause during which you can distribute all the necessary orders to your subordinates — horsemen, infantry and commander. The game also has huge fighting elephants that can easily crush their enemies, but Romans do not have these animals. Centurion is just the very beginning of the road, the title will be raised along with the way the player will conquer more and more new lands.

In addition to the ground battles, the game also offers you the sea battles, in which you can take part directly, taking command of one of the ships. But that's not all — periodically it is necessary to arrange some fun for the Romans. For this purpose breathtaking chariot races and cruel, bloody gladiatorial fights are suitable. New game graphics will let you enjoying these scenes — they look realistic.

Tips and advices

1. Winning a rich province is much more useful than conquering poor one. Be sure to conquer Egypt, Carthage, Macedonia, Parthia.
2. Do not neglect diplomacy. When traveling, look for allies.

Negotiate alliance with Sicily — entrust these negotiations to the centurion of the infantry legion. First, give a formal, polite answer, then a sharp one and only then offer an alliance.

1. Negotiations with Dalmatia should be conducted by the tribune (type of legion —cavalry). Answers must be sharp, and then an alliance can be offered. Negotiations with Germany should be better entrusted to the legate (cavalry). Here you can also give sharp, formal answers and then the alliance should be proposed.

Negotiations with Gaul and Spain should be entrusted to the generals (cavalry). Answers for Gaul must be sharp, but friendly, a bit formal. Answers for Spain need to be formal and sharp as well.

Negotiations with Macedonia and Armenia should be conducted by consuls (type of legion — consular). Discussing the alliance, you should give formal answers.

Negotiations with Mesopotamia, Arabia, Mauritania and Egypt must be entrusted to proconsuls from consular legion. Think over formal answers for Mesopotamia Arabia and Mauritania. Talk very friendly with. Seducing Cleopatra, give warm, gentle and positive answers (choose Accept).

1. Answering the question “What tribute you require” better answer: “Low”.
2. Monitor the mood of the population. If you constantly raise taxes, you will not be able to avoid a mutiny or revolt. To strengthen your credibility, participate in chariot races and gladiatorial fights. Remember about the popular that time slogan: “Meal'n'Real!”

This strategy is not only an amusement, but the stuff that will teach you how to think logically and take the right decision.