Imperator: Rome

The best part about this game is that paradox abandoned it, so you don't have to worry about DLCs.

Paradox pls revive this game, it gained so much traction last year from many popular streamers and we would love nothing more than to see this game succeed.
This underrated gem deserves more attention!

Without mods: A bit sad and barebones although it works OK as an ancient era Paradox empire builder.
With the (free ofc) Invictus + the new Reanimata mods: absolutely one of the best Paradox games out there. At least for me, it's lots of fun, and I learned a lot about ancient history. Those two mods add a LOT of depth to everything.
The game is basically abandonded by the company but it doesn't matter as mods add as much stuff as you need. With them it's better than EUV. Buy it on sale if you like Roman/ancient things and then get those two mods ASAP and maybe some others too (gfx mods, border gore cleaner, music mods etc).

After playing Europa Universalis V today, I admit that Imperator: Rome is a good game.

It’s Not Rome That Fell. It’s You Who Never Rose.
Alright, listen. I know what you’re thinking — “Didn’t that game bomb on launch?”
Yeah. It did. And so did No Man’s Sky, but you still built a shrine to your freighters, didn’t you? Same thing here.
Imperator: Rome had one of the worst first impressions in Paradox history. It launched as a sterile spreadsheet simulator wearing a Roman toga.
But here’s the twist: they actually fixed it. The 2.0 update didn’t just slap on some QoL changes, it reengineered the damn thing.
And nobody noticed because everyone already left the party.
What Makes Imperator Secretly Incredible?
It takes mechanics from all other PDX games and blends them into something... smarter. You’ve got:
Pops like in Victoria — but more dynamic.
Characters like in CK — but they’re actually tied to gameplay, disloyal generals start civil wars because you made them powerful.
Trade that actually matters — not just background gold flow.
A culture/religion melting pot system — that makes EU4 look like it’s stuck in the 90s.
Want to turn Sparta into a cosmopolitan hellscape of philosopher-kings? Do it.
Want to roleplay as a petty Iberian tribe and survive on pure spite and mountain forts? Go ahead.
Every corner of the map feels alive — like a real ancient world, not a board game with event spam.
And the Map?
Chef’s kiss.
Zoom in and you’ll see aqueducts.
Zoom out and you’ll realize half your provinces are ready to betray you because your governor is embezzling enough gold to fund Carthage 2.0.
Downsides? Sure.
Yeah, it still has a weird UI, and the dev team got Thanos-snapped before the final patch.
But honestly? That just makes it more modder-friendly.
The Bronze Age Reborn mod literally turns it into a pre-Classical sandbox with over 7000 provinces.
Insane.
Verdict
If you play Paradox games for flavor text and hats, stick to CK3.
If you want a systems-heavy, sandbox beast that punishes your hubris and rewards long-term planning,
Imperator is the unsung king.

As a player of Total War: Rome 1 and 2, I cannot go back to those after having played Imperator: Rome. The game was initially released as a mess - explaining the early negative reviews - but has had a significant overhaul since, making it one of the best itch-scratchers in the Roman Empire strategy genre.

Gameplay Mechanics: 7/10
Narrative: 4/10
Graphics: 7/10
Sound and Music: 7/10
Replayability: 7/10
Innovation: 6/10
Imperator: Rome had a rocky start, but after several major updates, it’s turned into a decent grand strategy title—though still one of the less exciting ones in Paradox’s lineup. If you're a fan of the studio's other titles like EU4 or CK3, there's something familiar here… but also something missing.
Gameplay mechanics are layered and ambitious. You manage cities, armies, trade routes, cultures, and political systems, all across a massive ancient world. But even with all the complexity, the game sometimes feels mechanical rather than dynamic. It plays fine but rarely hits that "just one more turn" high. Score: 7/10.
Narrative is where the game stumbles hardest. There's little flavor or emergent storytelling compared to Paradox’s other strategy games. Characters exist, but don’t feel particularly memorable. Events are generic and don’t drive much attachment to your leaders or empire. Score: 4/10.
Graphics are clean and polished. The map looks great, especially with its dynamic terrain and colorful provinces. Units and cities are decently modeled, and the UI is functional after some patching. Score: 7/10.
Sound and music are solid. The soundtrack fits the Roman setting nicely, and effects during battles, construction, and diplomacy all do their job well. Nothing too iconic, but it gets the atmosphere right. Score: 7/10.
Replayability is good, especially after updates added more flavor and balance. There are tons of starting nations to pick from, and each has different challenges, but gameplay loops can feel a bit samey over time. Score: 7/10.
Innovation is modest. While Imperator pulls ideas from various Paradox games, it doesn't bring much new to the table. It feels more like a mash-up than a bold step forward. Score: 6/10.
Bottom line: Imperator: Rome isn’t a must-play, but with updates, it’s grown into a competent (if slightly bland) entry in the grand strategy genre. If you love ancient history and want a detailed, sprawling map to conquer, there’s fun to be had—but don’t expect the character or spark of Paradox’s best.