It's on my to-play list. Nothing else really like it. As far as organization goes, it's both large and fussy, but if nothing else, the box is plenty big enough to accommodate even the most elaborate storage solution. I'm inclined to solve stacking by putting just the leader on the map, and using index cards as offmap holding boxes.
The reference to "Turkey" at 6:01 when pointing to land near the East Mediterranean could have been better handled by calling the area "Asia Minor." For about a thousand years after Rome fell, the Byzantine Empire was in Asia Minor and nearby regions and was the envy of its neighbors. There was no Turkey in those years, just as there was no United States or Canada then. By the way, does this game include any scenarios covering the early Byzantine period?
I also called the area "Spain", not everyone who would see this video would understand nor have read "Gibbon's the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire". It is an impression of a 'game' not a in depth history lesson.
I do want to play a 3 or 4 player scenario of this at a convention sometime. I’ve messed around with the Gallic revolt and Pompey vs. Pirates scenario, but both of those leave a lot of the full rules out.
Thanks for filming, a couple of years ago I've finally decided to get Imperium Romanum based on your recommendations. However, I've ended up purchasing IR2 - this version really tempted me for the maps, but it was hard to justify £100+ purchase as the counters were actually less functional then the ones in IR2...
I have the Imperim Romanum II which is the same game apparently, only 1985 edition. Glad to see it is still in print. It is a must have simulation of Roman campaigns. And this is uncanny. Uncanny. Tactics, campaigns fall into the actual history that we know. And the decisive choices fall in to place: IN scenario of Crisis in the FIrst Triumvirate. Gauls are defeated by Labienus while Caesar was in Italy. And a retreat into overwhelming fortified positions while Ceasar has supply problems. When Caeasar understands to arrange enough supply. And survives the last attempt at breaching 6 to 1. Or as with my simulation: did not take care of supplies, has too few legions and dies. Win for Pompey. As Crassus is overwhelmed by Parthians. A round at a time is doable. It is not really a game. I have never played is as such but as a simulation of Roman history - as it could've been.
It only really hit me the scope of this game when you showed the charts ...wow! It reminds me a bit of Vietnam 1965-1975 which for most people cannot be played as a campaign. (As a 2tour combat vet of Vietnam, I'm an exception. Still working to defeat the NVA even after all these years 😎)
Thanks for this review! I bought the game in 1986 at "The Game Stop" in Carmel, California, right after the Army Dentists in Fort Ord pulled my wisdom teeth out. I had the weekend to recover and thought this would be a good way to pass the time in the Bachelor Officer's Quarters at Fort Hunter Liggett. I was bleeding so much from the mouth all weekend that this game gave me a bad taste in my mouth that persists to this day. It was too difficult for me to grok in my reduced state, I guess. The updated version looks a lot cleaner, maybe I'll give it a try.
Whoa! Strange how we remember games or movies associated with certain things in our life. I've had a strange relationship with this game. I first saw it at a convention around 1980. There was a fellow with a table and it was the only game he was selling. I wonder now if that was not Al Nofi himself?
To tell you the truth I don't actually remember, which isn't a good thing. If I don't remember I probably did not follow through. This game (as I mentioned in the video) is more of Al's "master thesis" on the Roman Empire. It is an interesting 'study' but you could get something as informative from a good book on the subject. As usual, Decision in their attempts to reprint an older title 'leave stuff out' and their decision to keep the counters all the same colour is disastrous. How do you tell who is who? This game will not be played much in the hobby, indeed, I have never even seen it played a conventions.
Thanks Kenneth, I will have to check that out. I would be surprised if it was this 3rd edition though. I think Vassal is about the only way I will ever get to play this thing.
This game is really the perfect example of too much is just too much :-). I remember seeing the old version back at the old shop (no longer around now) back in the early 80’s. I never got it because it just really too much. I like playing the games and this require way too much in order to play. Good review however. By the way, you are in Ottawa? Not sure if I heard that right in the video. I always assume people are in the USA for some reason :-)
Yes, I'm in Ottawa, our nation's capital and have lived here all my life. I think war games could be a lot better if the "less is more" doctrine was more closely adhered to. However, I think this is a 'simulation' and not a true war game.
@@XLEGION1 glad to see a fellow Canuck playing these games, been playing since the 70’s. I mostly play by myself now as I don’t really have anyone interested in these old games, it’s all computer games now. I enjoy computer games but these old games just have another feeling for me. I am originally from Montreal, born and raise but I now live in Hawkesbury
In your video on the '85 version 10 years ago, you said you didn't think it would be reprinted, does this version surprise you? Other than graphic "updates" any other significant changes you noticed?
It's on my to-play list. Nothing else really like it. As far as organization goes, it's both large and fussy, but if nothing else, the box is plenty big enough to accommodate even the most elaborate storage solution. I'm inclined to solve stacking by putting just the leader on the map, and using index cards as offmap holding boxes.
3rd Edition rules are close to unplayable.........2nd Edition rules are ok and some scenarios play very well!
Fix microphone and adjust sound. I play at the highest level but its not hearable unless Im in a very quiet place.
The reference to "Turkey" at 6:01 when pointing to land near the East Mediterranean could have been better handled by calling the area "Asia Minor." For about a thousand years after Rome fell, the Byzantine Empire was in Asia Minor and nearby regions and was the envy of its neighbors. There was no Turkey in those years, just as there was no United States or Canada then.
By the way, does this game include any scenarios covering the early Byzantine period?
I also called the area "Spain", not everyone who would see this video would understand nor have read "Gibbon's the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire". It is an impression of a 'game' not a in depth history lesson.
Better call it Anatolia. Asia Minor was only the name of one the provinces.
I do want to play a 3 or 4 player scenario of this at a convention sometime. I’ve messed around with the Gallic revolt and Pompey vs. Pirates scenario, but both of those leave a lot of the full rules out.
Thanks for filming, a couple of years ago I've finally decided to get Imperium Romanum based on your recommendations. However, I've ended up purchasing IR2 - this version really tempted me for the maps, but it was hard to justify £100+ purchase as the counters were actually less functional then the ones in IR2...
I have the Imperim Romanum II which is the same game apparently, only 1985 edition. Glad to see it is still in print. It is a must have simulation of Roman campaigns.
And this is uncanny. Uncanny. Tactics, campaigns fall into the actual history that we know. And the decisive choices fall in to place: IN scenario of Crisis in the FIrst Triumvirate. Gauls are defeated by Labienus while Caesar was in Italy. And a retreat into overwhelming fortified positions while Ceasar has supply problems. When Caeasar understands to arrange enough supply. And survives the last attempt at breaching 6 to 1. Or as with my simulation: did not take care of supplies, has too few legions and dies. Win for Pompey.
As Crassus is overwhelmed by Parthians.
A round at a time is doable. It is not really a game. I have never played is as such but as a simulation of Roman history - as it could've been.
Hi Gilbert 👋 nice to see you’re still making videos
It only really hit me the scope of this game when you showed the charts ...wow!
It reminds me a bit of Vietnam 1965-1975 which for most people cannot be played as a campaign. (As a 2tour combat vet of Vietnam, I'm an exception. Still working to defeat the NVA even after all these years 😎)
Thanks for this review! I bought the game in 1986 at "The Game Stop" in Carmel, California, right after the Army Dentists in Fort Ord pulled my wisdom teeth out. I had the weekend to recover and thought this would be a good way to pass the time in the Bachelor Officer's Quarters at Fort Hunter Liggett. I was bleeding so much from the mouth all weekend that this game gave me a bad taste in my mouth that persists to this day. It was too difficult for me to grok in my reduced state, I guess. The updated version looks a lot cleaner, maybe I'll give it a try.
Whoa! Strange how we remember games or movies associated with certain things in our life. I've had a strange relationship with this game. I first saw it at a convention around 1980. There was a fellow with a table and it was the only game he was selling. I wonder now if that was not Al Nofi himself?
Appreciate the video! Not that many of them out there for this game. Did you end up playing this scenario after you set it up and filmed the review?
To tell you the truth I don't actually remember, which isn't a good thing. If I don't remember I probably did not follow through. This game (as I mentioned in the video) is more of Al's "master thesis" on the Roman Empire. It is an interesting 'study' but you could get something as informative from a good book on the subject. As usual, Decision in their attempts to reprint an older title 'leave stuff out' and their decision to keep the counters all the same colour is disastrous. How do you tell who is who? This game will not be played much in the hobby, indeed, I have never even seen it played a conventions.
Thanks Kenneth, I will have to check that out. I would be surprised if it was this 3rd edition though. I think Vassal is about the only way I will ever get to play this thing.
I'll have to remember which 4-player scenario in the 2nd edition that we played a lot in the 1980s. I'll try to play it on my channel.
This game is really the perfect example of too much is just too much :-). I remember seeing the old version back at the old shop (no longer around now) back in the early 80’s. I never got it because it just really too much. I like playing the games and this require way too much in order to play. Good review however. By the way, you are in Ottawa? Not sure if I heard that right in the video. I always assume people are in the USA for some reason :-)
Yes, I'm in Ottawa, our nation's capital and have lived here all my life. I think war games could be a lot better if the "less is more" doctrine was more closely adhered to. However, I think this is a 'simulation' and not a true war game.
@@XLEGION1 glad to see a fellow Canuck playing these games, been playing since the 70’s. I mostly play by myself now as I don’t really have anyone interested in these old games, it’s all computer games now. I enjoy computer games but these old games just have another feeling for me. I am originally from Montreal, born and raise but I now live in Hawkesbury
In your video on the '85 version 10 years ago, you said you didn't think it would be reprinted, does this version surprise you? Other than graphic "updates" any other significant changes you noticed?
I don't think I could afford this game. I'm sure it's a couple hundred bucks?
I know it's expensive and I paid probably over $130 Canadian for it. Packaging is fabulous too. I will keep it for sure.
@@XLEGION1 it’s certainly a beautiful game. Joe is a map master. Hopefully you can find someone else in Ottawa who plays it.
A monstrosity.