2. Graphics
Total War:Rome II looks set to be a visually stunning game as the designers have put more work into the graphics than ever before. There are specially designed cities such as Carthage and Rome which will give different battles a unique feel. The already released footage of battles in Carthage shows amazing levels of details in the graphics. The water glistens and shimmers as the boats cut through the waves and onto the beaches. The bright vivid colours of the background quickly give way to darkness as smoke and dead bodies litter the battlefield. The depth and scale of the colours on-screen are at a level which few PC games can reach and the creators stated aim is to make the battles in Rome II the most visually stunning experience you can get on a PC. Not only will the graphics be one of the best available on PC but there are also several new features which will help to make the game more look better than ever before. You can now zoom right onto individual soldiers in the battlefield and see the expression on their faces as they fight. There will be a new level of individuality to each soldier and unit as battle-scarred regiments will have chipped armour and will look more worn than fresher soldiers. There is also more focus on the human level of battle as you will be able to see more varied animations from individual soldiers. Generals will try and give inspiring speeches to their men at certain points in the battle and when soldiers get hit their comrades around them will react whether it is through facial expressions or trying to help them up to carry on with the battle. Along with the stunning new array of features in the battle map the campaign map will get a facelift too. It will now be rendered using the battle engine which should make it look more alive and engaging than ever before. Along with this there will be a new level of differentiation between cultures which will see soldiers and cities look more unique to each faction than in previous titles. Of course with all these new graphical changes and a stunning battle map, you might be worried that your computer wont be able to handle Rome II. However, the developers have stated that they want to try and maintain the same minimum specs as Shogun II so that people across a wide range of consoles will be able to enjoy the game. If you have a high-powered computer then Rome II will look simply sensational, but if you just have an ordinary laptop then you will still be able to run the game. Whatever console you have; Rome II looks set to be more stunning and graphically engaging than any title before.