It's more addictive than you think.

Maybe it means something that I was playing this game on the Ides of March. For the historically illiterate, that's the day Julius Caesar was assassinated. This coincidence has a double meaning, because for some reason, I could not succeed at this game on that day, while very other day I played it I did great. There must be some cosmic reason for this, but I am afraid to call my friends at Sierra up and ask. By the way, if you haven't figured it out yet, I like this game. I'm hooked. It's been a while since that has happened.

Fans of this series will be instantly familiar with the game, and notice the enhancements this third installment has brought. Those new to this series will find a welcome addition to the RTS genre, a game that focuses more on the building aspect than on fighting. Now, don't get me wrong, I like to mix it up with my virtual opponents now and again, but constant fighting reminds me too much of my childhood. Give me some time to build my city, become attached to it, so when I do fight, I care about the men I am sending into battle. Caesar III has found the perfect balance here, and in some ways is very similar to Age of Empires. This game is much deeper than Microsoft's offering, however.

Your job in this game is to get through three training sessions, where Caesar gets to see how well you can follow his guidelines in creating a city from scratch. He'll give you the pocket money to make it happen, and throw a couple of obstacles in your path, in the name of teaching you the ropes. Once you complete this, you are ready to roll. Then, it's time to produce, baby.

Everything that goes on in Caesar III happens in real time. Fires break out, buildings collapse (something that really pisses me off), and people become unhappy when not treated correctly. On top of that, you have to keep the almighty Caesar happy, and the mythological gods appeased. Tick either one of them off, and a curse shall be put upon your land. I found myself praying to my own god during this game but, as much as I tried, He had no visible effect. There is a lot to be done in Caesar III, and if you don't pay attention, your city will fall apart before your eyes.

In the graphics department, Caesar III is on par with AOE, and the likes of Alpha Centauri. There is nothing revolutionary here, but then, there needn't be. Sound is also on par with the best of this genre, and the ambient sounds in this game add nicely to the superior gameplay. And that's where it all lies, in the gameplay. This game moves slow enough to allow you to get into it, then fast enough to keep you coming back for more. There are so many variable options as to how you build your city, and tinkering to find the right formula is one of the best aspects of this game.

For a while, I thought I was through with the RTS genre. Command and Conquer clones seemed on the brink of destructing it. Just then, a game like Caesar III arrives on my humble doorstep. I never thought I would be so excited about aqueducts and Roman forums. This is a strategy game, and I emphasize the word strategy. You try to build the perfect city, then defend it from the barbarians who threaten to take it all away. (Sort of like running a business in New York City). This game will appeal to anyone who is looking for a game like Civilization, die-hard strategy fans, or anyone looking for a break from traditional RTS fare. Boot this one up, but I warn you, it's more addictive than you think.

Reviewed by John Misak.