Praetorians
- April 11, 2014
- Pyro Studios
Get on Steam"Praetorians - HD Remaster" is a real-time strategy game that transports you to the political turmoil of an emerging Roman Empire. Command one of three unique armies, each with distinct troop types and war machines, as you battle your way through Egypt, Gaul, and Italy to become Emperor. With a focus on strategy and tactical deployment of units, you'll need to exploit enemy weaknesses and master the art of war to defeat the powerful Praetorian Guard and claim the Imperial throne.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- Praetorians is a nostalgic classic that offers engaging and strategic gameplay, making it a favorite among RTS fans.
- The game features a unique squad-based combat system and a historical campaign that adds depth and challenge.
- Despite its age, the game still provides a fun experience, especially with mods that enhance gameplay and compatibility.
- Many players experience significant compatibility issues, including crashes and graphical glitches, especially on modern systems.
- The game lacks modern graphics and features, which may deter new players unfamiliar with older RTS titles.
- Multiplayer functionality is limited and often requires third-party solutions, making it difficult to play with friends.
- story22 mentions
- 18 % positive mentions
- 68 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The game's story is set against a backdrop of ancient Rome, featuring a lengthy campaign with over 30 chapters that include voiced narratives and real battle scenarios. While the missions offer a variety of tactical challenges and enjoyable gameplay, some players have reported technical issues that hinder their experience, such as crashes and glitches. Overall, the campaign is engaging, though the tutorials may feel tedious, and the story's depth is somewhat limited despite the interesting cutscenes.
“The story mode is actually quite long, with like 30 or more chapters, all of them with voices and its own story, all based on real battles.”
“Campaign missions are very enjoyable, with great siege defense.”
“This being said, once you understand the game, it can be very engaging and it is hard to press save because you want to finish your mission from the senate.”
“Then, in an actual mission, you will still get a black screen after the cinematic.”
“The tutorials are rather boring, but they provide some nice tips that will help you out later in the missions once the difficulty increases.”
“The cutsenes every 3-4 episodes are really cool and help you understand what is going on in your story (what little there is of it).”
- graphics20 mentions
- 15 % positive mentions
- 70 % neutral mentions
- 15 % negative mentions
The graphics of this game, while considered outdated and occasionally glitchy, still hold a certain charm for many players, reflecting its age since its release in 2002. Some users appreciate the simplicity and clarity of the visuals, noting that they are not overly cluttered, while others express frustration with technical issues and compatibility on modern displays. Overall, the consensus is that while the graphics may not meet contemporary standards, they do not detract significantly from the gameplay experience.
“Just as enjoyable and challenging as I remember, and given that RTS games are not usually graphics-centered, it holds up.”
“It has much better compatibility and updated graphics.”
“Insane graphics and very deep and complex strategy elements.”
“Before you buy this game, you must consider that this game is an old game, so the graphics will be bad and the issues will be quite annoying.”
“Every time I start the campaign or a scenario, the game shuts down or the graphics glitch and cause the ground to disappear and is replaced with black.”
“If you are after a game with modern standard graphics (you know, when people have faces and whatnot), then don't hold your breath.”
- gameplay13 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 23 % negative mentions
Gameplay reviews are mixed, with some praising its strategic depth and addictive nature, while others criticize its clunky mechanics and outdated UI. Many players find the game easy to learn and enjoyable, despite its age and limited camera zoom, which can hinder situational awareness. Overall, while it offers a nostalgic experience for strategy enthusiasts, its dated elements may not appeal to everyone.
“Great strategic gameplay.”
“Don't listen to any haters, that game is really easy to learn and has awesome gameplay.”
“The gameplay is superb and if you like these strategy games then it's a must buy.”
“It is nice that it is about Rome, but the gameplay is very clunky and the UI has poor visibility.”
“I never managed to understand the full range of mechanics it offers, nor did I win any campaign battle beyond the tutorials.”
“Also, in terms of gameplay, you're limited to a relatively tight camera zoom, making things feel claustrophobic and making situational awareness quite difficult.”
- music7 mentions
- 71 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 29 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its epic and memorable soundtrack, enhancing the overall authentic feel of the experience. Players appreciate the soothing quality of the music, considering it one of the best aspects of this Rome-themed game. Additionally, there are mods available that expand the musical offerings, further enriching the gameplay.
“The soundtrack is epic and memorable!”
“Music is spot on, the look and feel is so authentic.”
“One of the best Rome-themed games and definitely the best soundtrack among them.”
“I took many aspects of this game for granted: the map environments, the factions involved, the history, the voice acting, and the music.”
“In case you get bored of the game, or want more stuff, there's one mod called 'Imperial Mod 5.0' that adds a bunch more races, a ton of maps, more music, and better textures.”
- stability4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game suffers from significant stability issues, including buggy pathfinding for troops and frequent graphical glitches that severely impact performance, particularly with the map and unit info overlay. Players report that these problems can lead to frustrating gameplay experiences, suggesting that potential buyers should be ready for extensive troubleshooting to achieve a playable state.
“Only on the walls, the troops seem kind of buggy with their pathfinding.”
“The map/unit info overlay glitches 80-90% of the time when a unit is selected, making the framerate crawl and locking up the mouse, killing the game.”
“Don't buy this unless you're prepared to do some serious troubleshooting just to get the game to a place where it's playable.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Users highlight the emotional significance of the game, noting that it represents deep personal feelings and experiences, making it feel invaluable despite its price.
“I bought it because it was half price, but it symbolizes something deeply emotional inside me. This is worth any price you pay for it.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game runs smoothly and is quite playable despite its age and simple graphics, which are not cluttered. However, players feel it may not hold their attention for long due to the availability of more modern titles.
“The game runs smoothly and is quite playable, showcasing effective optimization despite its age.”
“It's interesting to see the game mechanics in relation to modern games, highlighting how well the optimization holds up.”
“The graphics are simple and not cluttered, which contributes to the overall smooth performance of the game.”
