The strategy genre has been one of the most sought-after games since time immemorial, which is evident even today. This category has always been somewhat preferred on the PC or MacOS platform, as control using a combination of mouse and keyboard is much more convenient and prompt than in the case of a game controller. However, in recent months we have seen a huge boom in the mobile phone platform, which is becoming the most profitable device in terms of the gaming industry. Therefore, strategic and turn-based titles are no exception, which represent an excellent relaxation from all action games. One of the most iconic game brands of all time - Total War - arrived on iPhones a few days ago. ROME: Total War, which, together with Medieval II, Shogun or Napoleon, gained perhaps the greatest favor of the fan community, was the first representative to appear not only on iPads, but also on Apple phones.
You could be interested in
The strategic gem ROME: Total War finally arrived on the iPhone today
The publisher took care of this addition to the App Store virtual library Feral Interactive, which is known for optimizing well-known games for MacOS and iOS. On these platforms, the aforementioned publishers have already brought us more than one great game, which we had the opportunity to play either on PC or on the Xbox One and PS4 consoles. Their initiative to bring well-known AAA games to the screens of Apple tablets and phones is more than admirable, especially when it comes to world-renowned games that are shown on mobile devices for the very first time. So how did ROME: Total War do on the iPhone?
Complex controls? Don't worry
I'll admit that I had mixed feelings when the iPhone version of this game was announced. As a fan of the series, on the one hand I couldn't wait, but at the same time I was full of questions and negative expectations. However, one of my favorite strategy games is Medieval II: Total War, which I still can't let go of. Therefore, ROME's failure on mobile phones would be a big disappointment to me. All expectations revolved around the issue of control and accessibility. It's one thing to conveniently navigate the game screen with your mouse, where all functions, settings and options are clearly displayed. In the case of smartphones, it is no longer simple either. Just look at the logical fact that speaks of optimizing all available functions from a large gaming monitor to a screen that almost fits in the palm of your hand.
For newcomers to the field of the Total War series, a tutorial is prepared right at the beginning of the game in the form of recommended procedures and advice that the player should follow on the way to success. Of course, game pop-up windows can also be turned off, but even for slightly advanced players, I recommend leaving this function on just in case. The user interface is refined to perfection on the iPhone, but with limited size options in mind. In the iOS version (which, by the way, has been available for iPad for two years now) you will find exactly the same as in the case of the Desktop version. Windows with descriptions of characters, diplomatic negotiations between characters or simple descriptions of buildings, troops or occupied places take up the entire screen, but switching between them is elegantly solved in the form of left and right arrows. Multitasking in the form of displaying the game surface and stock windows at the same time is not possible, but in this case it is not even necessary. Feral has reworked the controls and the game data display system down to the last detail.
Diplomatic and descriptive windows are designed really clearly
Enter the gallery
Someone can certainly flaunt the fact that the game is more difficult to see in its form on a mobile screen, which is also related to the more difficult orientation on the game surface. However, this is a fact that we have to reckon with in almost every more elaborate mobile title. Still, ROME: Total War's display is extremely clear, and apart from a few initial obstructions with accidentally clicking on the minimap in the top corner, I had absolutely no problem. However, it must be recognized that this is the force of habit. Die-hard fans of the series will certainly be pleased to know that the game options are arranged in the same or similar arrangement as in the case of the Desktop version. However, this fact will not affect Novačikov in any way, so they will simply have to learn the way of playing by playing more often.
Different platform, same gameplay
If you have at least once encountered one of the titles of the Total War series, the course of the game as well as the main goal must be clear to you. At the beginning of the campaign (which is of course the most interesting of the available modes), you choose a faction with which you will try to dominate all other landscapes. Each faction has certain benefits, be it better troops, strategic location or access to raw materials. During the individual moves, you will have to deal with all matters in the form of military campaigns, diplomatic negotiations, vandalism or trade in raw materials. With each turn, your cities increase in population, which strengthens the economy and subsequently fills the treasury. The principle of the game is simple and at the same time very sophisticated, as you often gain more by diplomatic actions and strategic deployment of characters than by ordinary war. A classic in the Total War saga is also the gradual inclusion of new technologies that are added to the game over the years. This part of the game is personally the most interesting for me, but the combat system is not far behind, which is of course more action-oriented.
The playing surface displays common information such as financial status, minimap, number and distribution of units, year and season
The simplest, but in many cases also very complicated, way to expand your faction's territory is to besiege enemy cities and engage in combat with enemy troops. Perhaps everyone will agree with me that defending a given city is much easier than attacking it. This is due to a number of factors such as the help of archery towers, the resistance of the walls or simply the security of your own territory and the increased morale of the troops. But when it comes to the combat system, that's what I was worried about the most. However, the creators of this aspect of the game have reworked it so much that my fears disappeared like a cloud in a blue sky. Controlling combat units is much easier, as in addition to clumsy clicking, you can simply mark soldiers by "drawing" on the screen. In practice, it looks like this: After looking at the combat unit you want to control on the field, you simply mark it by moving your fingers on the phone screen. You will see a colored line on it, which will mark all the soldiers located in the drawn circle, or simply the soldiers through which the line passes. This system is very effective especially in a quick sequence of game events where you don't have much time to systematically select units.
The overall interface is fully optimized for the iPhone screen, making controlling combat units very simple and intuitive
Enter the gallery
Verdict
Dozens to hundreds of game titles arrive in the App Store every day, trying to contribute new and revolutionary elements to the gaming world. However, Feral Interactive chose the exact opposite tactic by optimizing ROME: Total War. Something that people like, recognize and like. All of this, along with the fact that we can play this title almost anywhere we go, speaks for itself. Total War is a brand that has forever entered the strategy genre, and its optimization for mobile phones confirms this even more. Even after several years since its release, the game is still engaging, relaxing and action-packed at the same time. I will not claim that the iOS version for iPhone can be equal to that for PC or MacOS, because these are two different elements. Few people would rather choose a mini screen instead of comfortably playing on a computer or game console, on which the control is clear, but much more demanding than when using a mouse and keyboard.
However, I can unequivocally say that ROME: Total War has brought a common belief with its arrival on the iPhone that refutes the opinions of critics about mobile gaming. Yes, you can easily play a more complex strategic title on mobile phones, which offers much more than headless clicking on the display. While playing this title, I couldn't help but wonder why this brilliant saga only made it onto mobile devices now. However, technology is advancing more and more every day, so we can only hope that we will see more quality adaptations like Total War on iPhones. Don't hesitate and claim the title of the greatest Roman Empire for yourself!
ROME: Total War for iPhone is available on the App Store
[appbox app store id1106831630]
