Grand Ages: Rome

 PC
Metascore
72

Mixed or average reviews - based on 18 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 18
  3. Negative: 0 out of 18
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  1. Boomtown
    70
    Despite some glaring issues with this game I still enjoyed it immensely. It's fun, addictive and relaxing.
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  2. LEVEL (Czech Republic)
    70
    You can turn yourself into the ruler of an ancient city who manages every single detail to make his city grow and prosper. If the devs improve their battle system we have here a quite promising new strategy game. [Mar 2009]
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  3. Computer Games Online RO
    70
    If Grand Ages: Rome had been a real time strategy, it would have had a lot more value. But, seeing as it lacks the adrenaline, we are left yearning for details, for culturally and historically correct references, or for the magic of ancient lives.
  5. Play.tm
    70
    It might not add anything new to the genre but it's still reasonably entertaining, especially if you're keen on the period it's set in.
  6. PC Format
    69
    Mildly engaging. [May 2009, p.97]
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  7. IGN
    68
    Grand Ages: Rome is an enjoyable game, but if you've played any of the other city-builders that have come along in the last ten years, you'll quickly grow bored of this one.
  8. PC Zone UK
    68
    To say that the game is shallow would be harsh, but it certainly doesn't plumb the potential depths of the period, and while it has multiplayer I can't see it having much longevity. [May 2009, p.77]
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  9. PC Gamer UK
    68
    Its worst sin is simply being too ordinary. [May 2009, p.71]
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  10. GameZone
    67
    Grand Ages: Rome is a decent game that doesn't try very hard to break out of the city-building mold. Instead it fits comfortably in the age old staples of the genre. The only good thing about this is the developers laid a good foundation for them to work with on the inevitable sequel, which will hopefully come up with something new and really make this game break out.
  11. GameSpot
    55
    Grand Ages: Rome is yet another generic city-builder set in ancient Rome.

Awards & Rankings

94
#94 Best PC Game of 2009
47
#47 Most Shared PC Game of 2009

User Reviews

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User Score
8.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 66 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 48 out of 66
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 66
  3. Negative: 4 out of 66
  1. SeanB
    Mar 24, 2009
    9
    This game is GORGEOUS! The graphics are so nice. Rich textures and lighting. A stylish depth of field that is used at screenshot style This game is GORGEOUS! The graphics are so nice. Rich textures and lighting. A stylish depth of field that is used at screenshot style angles. The transport system was simplified to nothing. You now focus on where things are and less on how it gets there. This means you can build a gorgeous city that most City-sims wouldn't allow due to the rules of movement. It is easy to do any basic task, with a stream-lined and sensible interface. It allows the player to focus on the grand goal of building a city and crushing the barbarians that threaten good Roman citizens.… Full Review »
  2. xNitrousOxide
    Jan 31, 2014
    10
    As a huge fan of the Tropico series, I absolutely love this game. When I found out the Tropico devs (Haemimont Games) had made a couple ofAs a huge fan of the Tropico series, I absolutely love this game. When I found out the Tropico devs (Haemimont Games) had made a couple of similar games set in Roman times, I was intrigued. I've now spent more time playing Imperium Romanum and Grand Ages: Rome than the Tropico series.

    First off, the graphics are phenomenal. No longer are city building games confined to the graphics of the past, yet apparently no one is familiar with this game, unlike say, the Caesar series. What an outcry! I can daydream for hours at the highly detailed art. This game does a truly amazing job at re-creating the Roman Empire, at least visually.

    People who say this is "just another city building game"... yeah, because so many city building games have a focus on actually planning out neighborhoods via small AoE radii... not. My experience with the "just another city building game" is carelessly throwing down a building wherever you have room. Grand Ages: Rome is WAY deeper than that. You can build poor neighborhoods, rich neighborhoods, mixed neighborhoods, and every kind of neighborhood has its own rewards and challenges to maintaining a high level of satisfaction. But you reviewers probably play the game for an hour at most and think you can somehow learn all the little nuances a game has in that time? Keep dreaming. You guys get paid to sell your own pathetic opinion, but truth is, in the eyes of a Simulation and City-Building game fan, this game is one of the greatest things to be released in the last five years.

    Shame is, most people who would like this game are going to miss out because of a) bad reviews and b) an idiot publisher that marketed it as a 4x game and not a city-builder.

    Definitely recommend trying it out if you enjoyed Tropico, however.    … Full Review »
  3. ChrisThomas
    Aug 14, 2009
    8
    I would say 8.5. the thing this game lacks is re playability. you could say it has it because of the fact you can choose a different family toI would say 8.5. the thing this game lacks is re playability. you could say it has it because of the fact you can choose a different family to play as. But the missions themselves are the same. The multiplayer from what I have seen has died off fairly fast. The only way to get a match is to auto find one which makes getting to play certain maps and match types impossible. Having more playable factions should be their next step when they either make an expansion for this game or create Grand Ages 2. Overall its a great game with good graphics, in-depth storyline, decent multiplayer when it first came out ( as said before somewhat dead now ), and a half decent combat system although outdated still offers some strategy and offers a good spectacle to watch when you play a 2v2 and each sides has a good amount of units. Overall its a good game any city-building fanatic should try, Not the best but certainly the best thing for this specific time period and settings so far. Price is a tad bit high though it should be lowered to 30$ in the US.… Full Review »
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