I was looking for new strategy games, and I didn't find any that would match the simple, straight forward, but always replay-worthy quality of Rome:TW.

Of course, it is outdated now. Of course Rome II for instance has much nicer graphics. Of course, Rome:TW has its flaws.

What the newer games all lack is the concentrated energy of this old style game. They give you bling bling, but then they limit your playing experience because the devs want to shape the way you play a game, instead of presenting the player with opportunities.

I'll give you a - limited - example, just to show the main point, I could go into detail in many respects, but here's one that should show what I mean in principle.

In Rome:TW, you could march an army without a general into hostile territory. Or you could scale walls with a single infantry unit - it's your choice (and your troops' funeral, perhaps). In Rome II, you are forced to recruit a general. You must replenish resources, even if you would like to get an advantage by sacrificing some units. You cannot win a game based on skill and creative tactics, but only by playing by the book. But the game will throw an achievement your way in exchange for freedom...

I miss old style games like some old software, that did exactly what it was supposed to do and nothing else.

Time to besiege Alexandria, brb

I was looking for new strategy games, and I didn't find any that would match the simple, straight forward, but always replay-worthy quality of Rome:TW. Of course, it is outdated now. Of course Rome II for instance has much nicer graphics. Of course, Rome:TW has its flaws. What the newer games all lack is the concentrated energy of this old style game. They give you bling bling, but then they limit your playing experience because the devs want to shape the way you play a game, instead of presenting the player with opportunities. I'll give you a - limited - example, just to show the main point, I could go into detail in many respects, but here's one that should show what I mean in principle. In Rome:TW, you could march an army without a general into hostile territory. Or you could scale walls with a single infantry unit - it's your choice (and your troops' funeral, perhaps). In Rome II, you are forced to recruit a general. You must replenish resources, even if you would like to get an advantage by sacrificing some units. You cannot win a game based on skill and creative tactics, but only by playing by the book. But the game will throw an achievement your way in exchange for freedom... I miss old style games like some old software, that did exactly what it was supposed to do and nothing else. Time to besiege Alexandria, brb