Expeditions: Rome is the latest entry in the turn-based tactical RPG saga. Coming hot off the heels of Expeditions: Conquistador and Vikings, Rome is a natural evolution of the formula and ideas presented in previous entries. The game is being developed by Logic Artists and will be published by THQ Nordic.
Logic Artists and THQ Nordic hosted an announcement event, which Game ZXC attended, wherein they showed off an announcement trailer, a gameplay trailer, and an extended preview build of the game showcasing its various mechanics. The team has definitely upped the ante from its previous works on the series, and there's a lot for fans to dive into.
Expeditions: Rome's Story
Expeditions: Rome is set in the Late Republic time period of Rome, where the player assumes the role of a would-be Julius Caesar, a young Patrician who is forced to flee his home town because of a family feud. Upon fleeing Rome, the player is tasked with aiding soldiers in a military campaign in Greece, from where the game begins. Choices, much like previous entries in the series, have been touted to be an integral part of the experience.
Logic Artists aims to weave a larger political narrative along with personal stories for both the player and allies into one cohesive package. In addition to this, the team has also made sure to keep a healthy dose of actual historical characters in the world, which should provide some added depth to what seems a great recreation of Rome.
The Gameplay
Expeditions: Rome is a squad-based tactical RPG. Much like its predecessors, the game has a turn-based combat system. The team hasn't gone for radical departures, instead trying to refine what's already been done before. There is a more robust class system, though, where Expeditions: Rome features 4 different classes. Various weapon abilities have also been added to the mix, which bolsters the class system and makes getting loot a lot more interesting. There are small-scale battles with a variety of foes, as well as 5 large-scale siege battles.
While much hasn't been shown in regards to these sieges, it's touted to be another great addition to the overall experience. Players can also gather many items throughout the world which provide various buffs and resistances. There's a lot of subtle tweaks to the combat system, which should make the battles more engaging than ever.
Players will now have a war camp, which is sort of a hub world. The war camp has many options for upgrades, and players can invest in them to see noticeable improvements to things such as the war camp's defenses. While there's a lot more to the experience, the team has clearly put an effort into making choices matter. There seems to be a staggering number of choices throughout the 3 campaigns, and each of them is said to have meaningful effects in the future.
Expeditions began as a niche title with a small team of 8-10 developers behind it. The team and the game's community have grown exponentially over time, and Rome is the team's biggest project yet. The game showcases some great potential, and could very well turn out to be a treat of fans of the genre.
Expeditions: Rome is set to release in 2021 for PC.