Sega has today announced the reveal of their first playable faction for upcoming turn-based title Total War: Rome II, the not-so-surprising Rome division. The Roman faction is the first of eight factions to be announced, with its notably different and deeper form of gameplay experience from those in previous Total War games.

Since throwing off the rule of the Etruscan Kings in around 500BC, the Roman Republic has come to represent a power like no other. Military service is mandatory for citizens, and one of the most profound contributions a citizen can make. This makes the Republic militaristic at its very heart.

As a playable faction, Rome benefits economically from its excellence in metalwork, enjoys enhanced military development, and can exploit the masses in order to maintain public order. Furthermore, the player will choose to conduct the affairs of Rome as the head of one of three great Roman houses: The Julia, The Cornelia, and the Junia, each of which bring further economic, military and cultural benefits.

Sega has also announced that a new makeover for their Wikipedia site has gone live, with the Faction Hub being revealed as the central area for all background information on each of the eight factions. Players will find a range of maps showing each faction’s starting position, plus information on its military, political and civic strengths and vivid depictions of its armies in battle.

With the reveal of the first faction, two new screenshots have been released which you can check out below of the very ferocious Roman empire.

RTS? Arent all total war games considered turn based thus not being an RTS?

It is kind of both really, turn-based and real-time tactics/strategy. You still need to think in real-time on what to do and when to do it, but your turns are based on a timer, though only on the map as going into a battle is full real-time.

I know how its played since i have had every installment of the game since it the first. I just never considered it an RTS even though the battles are "live" events within the game because everything bringing you to that point is based on turns.

But the battles are the main feature, the turn based part is more of a fun side game.

Fuck no. I prefer the fun of the campaign map. Raiding parties on ships, blockading ports, and using the pope in M:TW2 etc.

Battles are all well and good but i find i get bored of countless sieges as you defend / attack over a campaign. And all the fucking barbarian tribes. I know you can auto win but sometimes you get fucked and i dont like risking it.