Recent reviews by Branik

Just buy it and play it.

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The tutorials should be better. Especially regarding the economy. It is intuitive and all makes sense in the end but the UI doesn't make it very clear how to do, what you intend to do.
Other than that, great potential.
Post release update: Game got rushed to full release, because the studio got closed by the publisher. The game is unfinished. Do not buy.

Imperating Rome

With recent AAA+ games being released half broken, with horrible monetization and live service ''features'' and gameplay being dumbed down, JA3 is a proof that AA production is where the true gems are.

So far, this might be my favorite game of 2023. There are many reviews here that summarize the core gameplay and mechanics, so let me add this:
The game has very little bugs on release, No ''preorder exclusive'' content, four editions with skins and unlockables, no in-game shop, etc.

A rare and very welcome sight.

Will update after finishing this game.

A very nice grand strategy/RTS game.
Turn based campaign on a map of the western front. The end goal is either taking the enemy's HQ or demoralizing his/their nation(s).
There are reasearch options that make both your battle and home front more efficient plus resource management. Manpower is represented by ''gold bars'' while equipment and ammo as ''supplies''. There is also an espionage layer, which is pretty much useless. You decide where you attack the enemy and they decide where they attack you every turn. You need to watch enemy troop movement on the grand map in order to anticipate their next attack move and reinforce accordingly. The AI reacts to your moves the same way.
Battles are fought on a battlefield that isn't really that persistent as devs claimed. Sure, the destruction is there, the trenches stay, but the destruction isn't player made, it's gradual over time. I have some reservations about the AI. It is very challenging at the begining, but once you figure it out, you can steamroll it during the offensive missions. The AI is very good on the offensive though. Some defensive battles gave me a real sweat!
The FPS sometimes drops, there are some technical issues with pathfinding and units sometimes glitch when moving in the trenches. Those bugs should be easy to stomp for the devs in the coming months.
Overall a very nice game and I really look forward to it's future development. Maybe Italian front?

8.5/10

The game currently has post release balance issue but other than that, it is a very enjoyable experience and one of the best RTS games in recent memory.

Stick your microtransactions you know where.

I have no idea what is happening and I love it.