Nemesis of the Roman Empire includes two major campaigns to participate in. One campaign depicts the Roman side of the Punic Wars while the other shows Hannibal's march. Also included is a Skirmish mode that lets you play with up to seven computer-controlled opponents. This mode allows you to customize the game settings to fit the type of game you want to play, such as allowing you to pick your map and any handicaps/bonuses you might want. An online mode is also included.
Once you get into the main game, Nemesis isn't too far off from your standard RTS. The game's format is pretty simple, but doesn't fully replicate other games in the genre, allowing it to stand out from the crowd. Elements such as base construction are removed and replaced with the mechanic of having to capture bases to operate out of. Resource management is still a major part of the game. Instead of having to send peons out to collect resources, you are charged with maintaining supply lines. This quickly becomes one of the most crucial aspects of the game.
At the start of a campaign, a limited number of villages will be available. Your first duty is to infiltrate the bases with spies or simply roll over them with overwhelming military force. Once under your control, you'll need to establish supply lines that stem from your initial stronghold. These lines then go to your frontline troops to help keep them in the battle by way of pack mules (unless your army is within the vicinity of an area you control). Thought it may sound easy, managing lines takes a considerable amount of planning. One of the downsides to this scheme is that it dominates the game and drags it down at times. There are numerous times where, instead of planning your next military conquest, you'll find yourself trying to scrape together food to feed your army.
Food is the more important of resources, but gold plays an important role as well -- mainly in upgrading troops. Capturing surrounding villages also plays a part in upgrading your troops. All structures are pre-made and set within certain cities. The larger the city, the more advanced the structures. In order to upgrade your troops you must capture cities with the needed structures.
Nemesis features four factions to play as: The Iberians, Gauls, Carthaginians and Romans. Each faction has their own unique bonuses, abilities and heroes. These abilities can be upgraded over the course of the game as you gain experience. Units include more historically accurate troops like the Elephants, which can take massive amounts of damage. Also included are elements meant to spice up gameplay, like wizards. Campaign objectives also seem rather loosely based on historic events. Not that I’m an expert of the history of Carthage, but you pick up some stuff when your parents know war and history. I wasn't too bothered by this, since it added an interesting element, but people looking for a more historically accurate game might be turned off.
