Unlike the ancient Romans, who were rarely able to guarantee a peaceful, orderly or even sensible succession between emperors, the toga-clad senators at Impressions/Sierra have given us a worthy heir to the imperial purple. Their Caesar II, often called "SimCity goes to Rome," was a wonderful, if somewhat repetitive, toy which, like many of the emperors, had some annoying flaws and quirks (such as the endless scream from the speakers that "plebs are needed"). Still, it was a tremendous breakthrough game for those of us who know that togas were not invented by John Belushi for frat parties, and that the Roman Empire was built on more than just slaughtering barbarians. Caesar II, like Julius Caesar, was bold, innovative and subject to some tragic flaws. Caesar III is more like Augustus: an elegant, thoughtful refinement of its predecessor, whose depth and accomplishments eclipse all that came before.

Actum Agere (This looks familiar)

On first glance, this looks like a simple upgrade of Caesar II. Just as in the previous game, you are the governor of a province, and have to build a city from scratch. You have to set up the farms and industries that will feed and employ your people. They have to be entertained and educated, and protected from fire, disease, barbarians, boredom – and themselves. The basic building blocks of the game and system are all here. The city-building tools of roads, reservoirs, aqueducts, forums etc. look much the same as the original, as do many of the other buildings and routines. Little Roman people walk around and talk to you if you click on them, and the hustle and bustle of a classical city echoes from your speakers. If you still have Caesar II on your hard drive (as I do) you can dive right in and get to work. Do that, however, and you will soon realize that this is neither an upgrade nor a sequel: it is a whole new Rome.

At first glance the game may look like a dressed-up version of Caesar II, but it is not. It has far more depth – and requires much more work. This is not an easy game – this is no SimCity. It is a puzzle in which every piece interacts with every other piece, even those far away. The pieces interact with one another and are dependent upon each other. You have to juggle so many needs and requirements just to get the city built and working, let alone working well, that the casual gamer will soon find himself overwhelmed, defeated and sent to the galleys as a slave. Toy around with this engine and you will have some fun, but your days as a governor will be numbered.

To read the more than 200 pages of rules that come with this game is, unfortunately, a necessary prerequisite to understanding the game. Even more unfortunately, this weighty tome is not enough to learn how to play well. The various help screens and graphs and overviews provide even more detailed information than is available in the book. Still, this is not everything you really need to know. For that you have to go to the web site, where you will find questions, answers, frustrated pleas and potential solutions to a wide and unexpected variety of problems that you, as governor, will face. However, the web site has more pages than the book or the help screens. There is also a strategy guide available in book stores (just as there was for Caesar II). There is literally too much information to digest yet, sadly, there is also too much to ignore.

This is not a game; it is a master’s degree course. The research you need to do to understand and play this game well is overwhelming. If, like this reviewer, you are a Roman fanatic, you are half way home – but only half way. I take great pride in my long, fruitful and delicious association with all things Roman, and how there is always something new to learn about Rome. Well, this game has taught me some things – it is a learning experience.

Lest those who fear education be put off, let me add that the game is a lot of fun, even if you just want to strap on your sandals and play around in the sand. You have all the imperium (authority) of a Roman governor. With a wave of your hand (or a click of your mouse) you can level forests, build roads, plow fields, erect great buildings, recruit and lead armies, make trade deals with far cities, hold games, sponsor religious festivals and treat with barbarians. You can build whatever you please and watch the people flock to your city. To keep them flocking you need to make sure their needs are met, and if they are happy they will flock with each other and breed new citizens, who in turn will flock their brains out to increase your flock. You design the very roads they will walk upon.

You are as near to a god as any mortal has ever come: you are a Roman governor. While in office you are untouchable by all except for Caesar himself. Now if that is not a definition of fun for you, then stop reading right now and go plug in your Playstation.

Caesar III is a solitaire game. It is you versus the game. There is no multi-player or on-line option.

That does not mean you have to play it alone, however. With so much to consider while playing, you might find it enjoyable to sit with another player (next to you, in the same room – what a concept) and discuss your options and moves. This is a more "republican" than "imperial" approach as, rather than being the solitairy Caesar, you would be one of the two consuls (the system of shared rule that built and governed Rome and her empire before the principiate of Octavian - Caesar Augustus – ended that long republican tradition).

The technical parts of the game are rapaciously hungry but very rewarding.

Installation, like the Romans themselves, is very greedy of open space. The 150 MB minimum noted on the box is about as bare a minimum as what the Celts wore into battle – buck naked except for a gold torque on their arms. If you want to play the game with all its bells and whistles, and without delays for CD reading, go for the full package installation of nearly 600 MB.

In return for surrendering so much of your space to this game, you will be treated to an audio and visual show such as has not been seen since Flatulus took his seat in the Coliseum. There is music and song and shouting and clanking and crunching and waves washing up on shores… well, you get the idea. The game is almost alive. The cut-scenes of chariot races, advancing armies, mob riots and fires are also well done. Most of these are computer re-generated animations of scenes from classic films (can you say "I’m Spartacus"?).

Fortunately, you do not need any of the 3D video cards to run this. It is not a 3D game (thank the gods; it eats up enough of my system!)

The installation is surprisingly short and error-free, with one exception: if you have the demo, you have to remove it or it will confuse some files.

The interface is all by mouse and is quick and intuitive. You can get anywhere you want or find anything you need with a right or left click.

There is a scenario editor available, for free, on the Caesar III web site. It just came out in January. It allows you to design your own terrain maps and to set up entry points and frequency of arrival for enemies. Several gamers have already posted designs on the web site for you to play with. These are for individual city scenarios, not campaigns.

The new editor also allows you to vary the game’s difficulty level, and adds some new options to allow you to follow the paths taken by merchants, carters and other citizens. This allows you to see what parts of the city are being ignored by those offering their services.

There is so much to this game that it can not be reviewed merely by saying "this is what you get" and "go play." It is just too big and too overwhelming. The Wargamer's Caesar III Strategy Guide follows. It is part "review by preview," part "primer" and, perhaps most of all, part "diary of a mad Caesar."

Ratings, on a scale of 1 (low) to 5 (high):
Mental Challenge: 5
AI Ability: 4
Excitement: 4
Replayability: 4
Artistic Appeal: 5
Realism: 5

Overall Bang for the Buck: 4 (Make that a full 5 if you liked Caesar II, any of the SimCity games, or are a true Roman at heart.)

Continue to The Wargamer's Caesar III Strategy Guide

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