The Great Battles of Caesar

• Platform: IBM PC Compatible
• Release Date: 1998
• Genre: Strategy
• Style: 2D Turn-Based Strategy
• Similar Games: Great Battles of Alexander the Great (IBM PC Compatible), Great Battles of Hannibal (IBM PC Compatible)

Game Description

The third release in Erudite Software's triad of "Great Battles" games culminates with the The Great Battles of Caesar. As in the previous two titles of the series, the game can be played over a LAN, on the Internet, or by modem. The game focuses on the years 101 B.C. to 45 B.C. by providing nine scenarios chronicling the might and power (as well as the surprising weaknesses) of Caesar's formidable Roman armies.

Spurred by defeat at the hands of Hannibal during the second Punic War, Roman leaders were forced to develop new techniques which were embraced and perfected by a series of intelligent and forceful leaders. Because of the evolving type of warfare during this era, the rules of Great Battles of Caesar are subtly yet importantly different from the previous games in the series.

The intensity of gameplay remains true, however, and the lengthy scenarios can be played individually or as part of a huge campaign. As in the series' previous games, the use of the point-and-click menu-driven interface remains intact and gameplay relies on a rigidly structured and phased order of battle over unique and realistic terrain.

Roots & Influences

The root of the game is the original board game, designed by Mark Herman and Richard H. Berg. Background is the historical record of battles involving Julius Caesar and the Roman Empire.

Review: Overall

With this third release in the Great Battles series, Erudite Software has honed its product to a respectable and serious level. Based on fan feedback (assumed) from the first two titles in the series, Great Battles of Caesar emerges as the best of the bunch by building on all the finest features and scrapping aspects with little or no appeal. The result is a playable and enjoyable romp into ancient warfare under the firm hand of Caesar himself.

Once again, like the changes made in the series' second title Great Battles of Hannibal, the most visible and important aspect of gameplay has undergone revision. Specifically, in the area of the leader command arrangement there is now a much more flexible, realistic and workable system. Many commanders now have carte blanche authority to direct wayward units that fall under their range of influence (command radius) and can be instrumental in rallying and positioning these troops.

Look on these leaders as being akin to the free safety in football, who has the range of the whole field in which to execute his much needed talents. A minor caution should be noted regarding the all too appealing temptation to whisk these units off to another front, only to later realize you've committed a deployment gaffe and left the legion commander up the proverbial creek as he attempts to carry out his brilliant tactical plan with no men.

In what could well be responsiveness to the fans of the series, the campaign module is no longer a lame compilation of unconnected or consequence-free single battle scenarios, but introduces elements that can affect future action. Computer opponent AI seems to have been beefed up a bit also, with opposing forces no longer limited to only reactionary movements.

Visually, the game has been improved even more so than in the previous title, with a liberal palette being applied to uniforms, shields, and crests that increases and accentuates unit recognition. Of all three games in the series, Great Battles of Caesar contains the most diverse and balanced scenarios. With the option to place units at the beginning of the game (introduced in the Hannibal installment), each battle can be viewed intelligently from several perspectives. Sound quality of the battles has reached its peak since the series began and is very impressive.

Other than the restructure of the command system, very little in the basic elements of gameplay has been changed. Fans of the first two games will feel very comfortable in directing the armies of Caesar and his persistent enemies. The "fun-factor" that was missing from the Alexander the Great episode of the Great Battles series has been defined and honed to an entertaining and historically accurate depiction of this chapter of ancient warfare.

It seems like a shame that with all the elements of making a realistic and strategically viable war game finally nailed down by the developer, this appears to be the last entry in the Great Battles series. At least the pleasure of playing Great Battles of Caesar will linger for a considerable time.

Review: Enjoyment

The developers finally got all the pieces to fit in this third installment. Game play is enjoyable, options plentiful, troop movement realistic and battles nicely staged with an overall smooth, workable interface and well integrated game play.

Review: Graphics

More realistic unit identification, a gleaming game world and diversity of colorful, clear unit characteristics are featured.

Review: Sound

Explicit and realistic battle sounds combine with an always strong point of the Great Battles series, namely a very apropos musical selection.

Review: Replay Value

The selection of scenarios included in the game provide ample game play but as with the first title in the series, inclusion of a scenario editor/builder would be terrific.

Review: Documentation

Comprehensive with short overviews of each scenario.

Production Credits

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