Those were the days. The Roman Empire era was when humanity peaked. As a Roman history enthusiast and gamer, I love the video games set in the Roman times. That made me wonder, what are the best Roman Empire games to play on PC?
After a little research, I’ve found 20 amazing games featuring Roman Empire times. You and I we both already know most of the games listed below. However, there are some lesser-known hidden gems too on this list.
Another gaming genre for history enthusiasts.
Best 20 games set in Roman Empire era:
1. Total War: Rome (Remastered)
Total War: Rome is considered the best Total War game by the fans of the franchise. That’s why in 2021, developers released polished remastered version of Total War: Rome, which includes all DLC and such.
There are 19 playable factions in the game including Roman houses, Gauls, Egypt, Greek Cities, Armenia, Carthage, and Thrace. All have their historically correct and unique units. So, choose your favorite culture and wage wars for the domination in historical setting.
2. Expeditions: Rome
Expeditions Rome is one of the best RPG strategy games. You know, there aren’t many strategy games using RPG elements.
So, in this strategy game, you will determine the destiny of Rome as you conquer foreign lands. It’s not all about fighting of course, there are also diplomacy and political intrigue aspects of Expeditions: Rome. That’s why it’s considered RPG strategy.
So, create your own Roman Legatus, engage in combat, adventure with 5 unique companions, and explore the ancient world.
3. Imperator: Rome
Here’s just another 4x time-consuming addictive Paradox Interactive game. This one is all about building Rome!
It’s a grand strategy game all about politics, diplomacy, trade, and war if necessary. Believe me, it will be necessary.
You can choose Rome and conquer the world as it did historically. Or choose another big player such as Hannibal and change the course of history for good. But as a fellow Roman Empire enthusiast, I bet you’ll choose Caesar.
4. Ryse: Son of Rome
Ryse: Son of Rome is an amazing action hack & slash game where you play as a young Roman soldier who witnessed the murder of his family at the hands of barbarians.
Then our boy travels with the Romany army to Britannia to seek revenge. See, it’s my favorite kind of story.
Want to blow off some steam? Play Ryse: Son of Rome, epic combat game set in the Roman times.
5. The Forgotten City
The Forgotten City is an award-winning RPG featuring philosophy, time travel, and historical Roman city.
At first, this was a Skyrim mod. When it became super popular, mod creators decided to improve and release it as a standalone game. I’m glad they did because the game is now better than ever. Check out the steam reviews if you don’t believe me, they are overwhelmingly positive.
I don’t want to spoil its story. But in short, it’s about a utopian Roman city where no crime ever committed. However, if a single person commits a crime, everyone dies in the city. Your purpose is to prevent that small-scaled apocalypse.
6. We Who Are About to Die
Let’s continue with a gladiator game set in Roman era. We Who Are About To Die is a game where you start as a slave and became a mighty gladiator champion.
There is only one way to become a champion, never lose. – Gannicus Champion of the Arena
It’s a game that mixes RPG and roguelite elements. But action is also amazing thanks to the advanced physics simulated combat system.
7. Crusader Kings 3
Oh boy, this is a game that has taken 1000 hours of my life.
Ancient Roman empire does not exist in that era. However, Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantine) and Holy Roman Empire both exist and playable.
8. Gods of Sand
Oh boy, TV series Spartacus made me fan of gladiator fights of the ancient times. That’s why I love games like Gods of Sand where you manage a ludus, train gladiators, and watch them fight in the arenas.
Even the lowest man can rise beyond the heavens, stand as a God.
The arena is Olympus. This is where man become GODS. – Quintus Lentulus Batiatus
So, take up the charge, buy and train gladiators to become the owner of best gladiator school ever.
9. The Age of Decadence
The Age of Decadence is a turn-based RPG set in a post-apocalyptic fantasy world. So, how does post-apocalyptic and Roman genres mix together? According to the story, wicked kingdom of Qantaar and the Empire were locked in a war that devastated much of the known world. Each side called upon powers both arcane and divine, summoning gods and other entities, whose contest ultimately destroyed both sides.
> HIGHEST RATED POST APOCALYPTIC GAMES
If you’re only looking for historically correct Roman empire games, you can either skip this one, or try the free demo on steam to see if you’ll like it.
10. Concordia
What is this Concordia PC game? It’s the digital edition of popular Euro-style board game.
Take on the role of powerful Roman merchant and follow the Roman expansion with trade routes, franchises, and production houses. Basically, build your trade empire.
Even though it’s a board game, you can play it single-player. Because AI works great in Concordia digital edition. However, online multiplayer is where the real fun is.
11. Field of Glory: Empires
Field of Glory: Empires is a grand strategy game pretty similar to Total War: Rome. Except, field battles of Field of Glory done in a turn-based manner. Which is a unique introduction to the grand strategy genre.
It’s set in Europe and Mediterranean area during the classical age. Which means you can choose to play all the cultures from that location and era. Obviously most fun choice would be the Roman Empire.
12. A Legionary’s Life
Experience ancient times in the first hand. A Legionary’s Life is an RPG that puts you in the shoes of a Roman legionary.
Start as a fresh recruit of Roman army and rise up through the ranks, win prestigious awards, and make it home in one piece. If you can.
One more thing, this indie game is developed by single person. Good work.
13. Gladio and Glory
Third and the last gladiator game of this list is Gladio and Glory. Gladio and Glory does not focus on management or RPG unlike the other two. This one is all about battle.
What makes this game great are the goofy ragdolls and simulated physics. You can enjoy amazing gladiator battles in Gladio and Glory both single-player and multiplayer. Man, it’s so much fun when you play with your close friends.
14. Hegemony III: Clash of the Ancients
Hegemony III: Clash of the Ancients is an old school strategy game with an amazing campaign journey.
It’s set in ancient times, and you can choose from over 25 factions. Such as Romans, Latins, Gauls, Celts, Estruscans, Samnites, and Greeks.
You can command armies, manage resources, and build an empire in this modernized RTS. It’s basically one of those hidden gems of strategy gaming.
15. Roma Invicta
Roma Invicta is definitely a unique strategy game. It uses turn-based strategy on campaign map, and 2d real-time action in battles. Don’t get 2d be a turn-off to you, Roma Invicta pulls it offs amazingly. Battles with blow your mind.
So, if you want to enjoy a recently released strategy game that is going to work well with old PCs, try Roma Invicta, you won’t be disappointed.
16. Warlod: Britannia
Are you ready to lead a Roman expeditionary force into the heart of Ancient Britain? If so, start recruiting, promoting, upgrading, and charging towards the enemy. Become a true warlord.
Story and gameplay are epic. However, graphics are super cute like Lego figures. What an interesting mixture.
You can expect base building, dynamic open world, hard-core strategy, and massive battles in Warlord: Brittannia. Oh, one more thing, you’ll be witnessing authentic Roman History in this game.
17. Shieldwall
Shieldwall is another Roman campaign game like Warlod: Britannia. But Shieldwall focuses on less realism, and more fun aspects of an action.
Other features of Shieldwall:
- Controlling troops while playing as a single character.
- Dynamic and fun filled battles.
- Castle sieges and defense.
- Single player + online PvP.
- Roman history and Caesar’s battles.
18. Summa Expeditionis
Imagine a mix between survival and strategy genres in gaming, that is Summa Expeditionis. In this game you follow the career of a Roman soldier from Legionnaire to Centurion. In case you didn’t know legionnaire is a soldier whereas Centurion is a commander.
The game is set in the wild northern Hispania of the 1st century BC. You’ve been sent there to explore, establish a fortified camp, and grow enough to beat the barbarians. Feels like Valheim in Roman setting.
19. Roman Empire Wars
Roman Empire Wars is a game where you become the emperor himself, or empress herself and guide your Legions to victory.
It’s not released yet but looking at teaser, I can easily say that it’s combat will be similar to latest Total War games. Or even better!
The thing is, you can’t be sure what you’re gonna get in this game because it’s some indie developers first game.
20. We Are Legion: Rome
We Are Legion: Rome is an action-adventure RPG where you play as Cassius, a Roman legionnaire plagued by nightmares of war.
In this game you’ll partake in brutal battles and experience the impact of war on a soldier in the first hand.
As I write this article, We Are Legion: Rome is not released, and release date is to be announced. But check its steam page. The game looks like Kingdom Come: Deliverance in ancient Roman times. I have huge expectations from it.