I was one of the people to can Total War: Rome 2 when it first came out (mosh pit battles at Benny Hill speeds). Rome: Total War was the first Total War game I played and I look back on it with rose tinted glasses. I played many hours on vanilla and many more with the Europa Barbarorum mod. Having said that, while I think no Total War has managed to improve upon the real time battle mechanics, the turn based map mechanics have seen much improvement.

The Emperor Edition is, more or less, where I think the game should have been when it was originally released. Vanilla was enjoyable enough that I don't think I'd go back to play the original Rome, which is most certainly showing its age. However, the vast majority of the time I have played Rome 2 was with mods; specifically Divide et Impera. This mod (with some crazy unit names) aims for historical accuracy that doesn't negatively impact game play. Although it does slow down the battles and might make them feel "sluggish".

In short; I, a Rome veteran, think Rome 2 is a good game that has been turned into gold by the well made mods the community offers. I'd certainly recommend this to my friends.

Edit: With all the negative reviews rolling in Sep 2018, I'd like to add that I don't think the Total War games have ever been "historically accurate" and more of a "historically themed fantasy". If I remember correctly; Rome 1 had flaming pigs, Amazon charioteers from the northern steppes, and the enormous Yubtesb elephants that occasionally spawned in rebel armies.

I was one of the people to can Total War: Rome 2 when it first came out (mosh pit battles at Benny Hill speeds). Rome: Total War was the first Total War game I played and I look back on it with rose tinted glasses. I played many hours on vanilla and many more with the Europa Barbarorum mod. Having said that, while I think no Total War has managed to improve upon the real time battle mechanics, the turn based map mechanics have seen much improvement. The Emperor Edition is, more or less, where I think the game should have been when it was originally released. Vanilla was enjoyable enough that I don't think I'd go back to play the original Rome, which is most certainly showing its age. However, the vast majority of the time I have played Rome 2 was with mods; specifically Divide et Impera. This mod (with some crazy unit names) aims for historical accuracy that doesn't negatively impact game play. Although it does slow down the battles and might make them feel "sluggish". In short; I, a Rome veteran, think Rome 2 is a good game that has been turned into gold by the well made mods the community offers. I'd certainly recommend this to my friends. Edit: With all the negative reviews rolling in Sep 2018, I'd like to add that I don't think the Total War games have ever been "historically accurate" and more of a "historically themed fantasy". If I remember correctly; Rome 1 had flaming pigs, Amazon charioteers from the northern steppes, and the enormous Yubtesb elephants that occasionally spawned in rebel armies.