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Praetorians

Pyro's latest strategic offering is nearly upon us, can Eidos Interactive's big hope buck the trend? Sam investigates.

Right, I know that the game’s release is imminent, but it is never too late to gather some information on what is looking like a refreshingly different RTS game. Praetorians is slated in for release on the 28th of this month so it is almost upon us. The question that can’t be fully answered until our review is whether or not it’s much cop, but we can have a peruse of the features with which it threatens to jam a sword up the jacksie of an increasingly moribund genre.

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Developed by the same house that gave us the Commandos series Praetorians is essentially a Roman legion fighting game. You will command various troops across Europe and Africa during the games 22 single player missions, even absorbing foreign troops into your ranks for the occasional mission. As there are three civs to play with, (Gauls and Egyptians also included) I can only assume that Praetorians will be similar to Age of Mythology as to the way that game switched you back and forth between nations depending on where in the campaign you were. There will be fifteen special maps for the all important multiplayer game which will support up to eight players with each side having thirteen units to go into battle with.

Pyro Studios has taken the ever more popular desicion to drop resource gathering from the design, preferring to concentrate their undeniable talents into developing a war game that concentrates on the battles themselves. To this end the combat model will allow games which offer more tactical opportunities for the player, with attention being focused on how you can use the terrain to outmanoeuvre your enemies. Rather than building up a massive army from the safety of your base you will have to venture forth and conquer enemy towns. You see Praetorians does in fact have an element of resource collection for it is only by occupying towns that you can then conscript their populations into joining your force. Once the enemy garrison has been vanquished your commander (an important, often mission-critical unit) can victoriously ride in and set up a press-ganging operation. Then you can select to build units like archers, legionnaires, praetorians or even gladiator units. Auxiliary infantry are necessary to build structures like defensive towers and can be used to build and then man siege weapons right on the battlefield.

Combat itself is also a little different in its approach, and from what I’ve gleaned from playing the demo, it’s good fun. The player has no command against individual fighting units but instead commands formations. These formations are much more rigid than most other games, holding their positions with even more discipline than those in the Total War series. Formations can be easily split and joined together depending on your wants and can strike different attitudes and layouts depending on your needs. Scouting also plays a larger role then I’m used to with special units available to increase your battlefield awareness. You are going to need to have as much info about your foe at hand because they are ably represented by the AI. Terrain is also important, not just in calculating line of sight but it will also give bonuses to attack and defence. Archers can hide in forests, all but invisible except for the rain of deadly arrows. Melee units can surge in to attack but some troops can be left behind by stranding them on the wrong side of a river.

Pyro has made a real effort to get players away from the kind of RTS thinking that has become ingrained, making movement and attack the most important strategies in the game. While players can get down to a little base building, sitting around in one place is not an option. You must attack, attack, attack! The interface is smoothly designed to allow the player to concentrate on dishing out ancient-flavoured whup-ass. The terrain is quite sumptuous and the units are nicely designed, although I did find it a little tricky to pick out certain formations once the fray had been entered. Generally though it looks like the developers have managed to get a good system in place to allow the player to concentrate on having fun. I hope to be able to give you a full review as soon as possible.

1. IWANT TO PLAY

   WALLBUR Monday, 24 February 2003, 16:55:29

2. Nice review Sam. The game sounds promising, as resource management has never been a strong point of mine the villagers want food the villagers NEED food. Although this was only a demo, I hope you will let us know if the full game itself shows the same promise.

   Yatima Monday, 24 February 2003, 17:41:3

3. it'a an RTS whooooooo /me goes back to sleep

   Badger Tuesday, 25 February 2003, 07:59:28

4. good pre review, sounds like a very appealing game

   whitefox Tuesday, 25 February 2003, 12:40:50

5. Having only just gotten into this genre of games(c&c generals) I hope this is as good if not better.the idea of mass sword melees is even more appealing than nuke bombs and hi-tek stuff.

   I want blood!!

   ps - I am sams flat mate- watch him, he often speaks through a hole in his ass. ;-)

   Ali Barber Thursday, 27 February 2003, 11:59:52

6. This game sux. All u do during the game is build units and sending them into fight. U have about 10 different types of units. Not a bad idea, when and where to choose the right units, but realization is terrible. Not to mention bad physics of soldiers and their "english accent". Just another bad RTS game...

   Usuck Thursday, 27 February 2003, 17:40:26

7. Ai, see those words above? Fallen from thy experience, would I say? Or would it not? I would yes I say, would it beat others? Yes, I, say!

   A potato Friday, 28 February 2003, 03:56:41

8. I played the demo and I enjoyed it. You really have to amass a big army before attacking the enemy....and that takes quite a long time. The graphics are good and realistic. Some may find it a little bit "simple" because there is no economy involved (villagers, plantations, farms, gold, etc.), but I say that when you lead a roman army, you shouldn't worry about those things, just concentrate o the battles. I enjoyed it a lot. It is pure strategic battle. www.polygonos.com

   Fedele Friday, 4 April 2003, 11:08:7

9. Is the best game of rts.

   El mejor juego de rts.

   jaime Thursday, 4 September 2003, 04:05:0

10. is there any addon to this game like a map designer ..

    it's a bit boring ...think ahead when you put a game out if

    you can't play other maps then

    why buy it ...

    rating for this game 8/10

    maps addon -10/10

    design your own maps -10/10

    off to play something else now

    settlers 4

    outlaw Sunday, 27 April 2003, 08:24:23

11. I belive the word you are looking for is it's. OK

    me Wednesday, 30 April 2003, 07:38:1

12. brill game

    Jack Hunt Sunday, 5 January 2003, 09:23:41

13. Its a good game because you dont have to worry about building things or collecting resources. The way the soldiers are commanded in troops is good but there could be a few more different types of units

    Conan Friday, 7 November 2003, 00:21:4

14. cool game;-) , I very like it.

    Edward Wednesday, 23 July 2003, 06:01:59

16. oigan por que no tiene el multijugador

    Marvin Thursday, 4 September 2003, 11:21:52

17. Just recently bought this game, and i think it's fab, Just build your army and go and kick some butt, no messing around managing food, water etc, this is just pure war, my only thing with this game is the time its takes to build your army. Out of 10 I'll give it nine.

    Markus Farleyus Monday, 29 September 2003, 12:13:6

18. Yes, beyond question it is the best rts I have ever played. The battles are exciting and atmosphere of the game is groovy.

    I've played much more than the other strategy games.

    Congratulations to the makers.

    Les Friday, 10 October 2003, 04:19:51

19. il ny a pas de cheat pour praetorians c nul

    de leseleuc Tuesday, 15 June 2004, 12:39:22

20. PRAETORIANS IS THE GREATHEST GAMES HITS

    PURE OF STRATEGY GAMES & I PLAY IN MY CLUB

    GAMES COMPUTER WHITH MY FRIENDS EVERY DAY!

    IS VERY JOINTFULL & FUN ! I HOPE THE PYRO MAKE THE SECOND EDITIONS (PRAETORIANS2)

    MORE QUICKLY. IS A BIG GAMES WITHOUT COMPETETION.E DIFFRENT. IS EASY & VERY EASY TO PLAY BEACOUSE IS VERY REALISTIC ,NO MONSTERS ARE HERE,OR STUPID 2-5 SOLDIER

    & HAVE GREATFULL GRAPHICS.IS SPECIALS GRAPHICS! YOU CAN PLAY PERFECTLY!

    FUN BOYS FUN!

    Ptr. Romani!

    Baieti e superjoc cumparati-l! Merita sa-l jucati!

    DOOMNEZEU2004@YAHOO.COM

    DOOMNEZEU ROMANIA Tuesday, 9 November 2004, 17:51:38

21. tare

    jointu Sunday, 15 May 2005, 10:56:29