Praetorians (video game)

Praetorians PC Video Game
Developer(s)	Pyro Studios
Publisher(s)	Eidos Interactive
Director(s)	Javier Arévalo
Producer(s)	Ignacio Pérez Dolset
Platform(s)	Microsoft Windows
Release date(s)	PAL February 28, 2003 NA March 10, 2003
Genre(s)	Real-time strategy
Mode(s)	Single player, multiplayer

Praetorians is a 3D real-time tactics^[1] game developed by Pyro Studios, based on Julius Caesar's campaigns in Gaul, Britain, Crassus' battles in Parthia and the Civil War.

Gameplay

Players are given two options of gameplay: the Campaign, or the Skirmish.

Players may participate as Julius Caesar commanding forces of varying sizes against various hostile tribes of barbarian, Egyptian and, nearer the end of the game, Roman origin. The Campaign consists of 4 Tutorial levels, educating the player on how to order troops around the map, initiate combat and giving hints as to how the player may best use the units at his/her disposal, and 20 Campaign missions, beginning in 59BC with Caesar fighting the Helvetii tribe, and ending in 45BC with the final battle of the Civil War.

Alternately, a skirmish can be chosen in which the player first chooses a difficulty level (easy, medium, hard or expert) then chooses up to 1 character and up to 7 AI players, commanded by the computer. These can be Roman, Egyptian or an anonymous barbarian tribe. Once this is completed, alliances may be created by joining two forces on the same team. Imperial MOD later added additional races which were: Carthaginians, Persians and Greeks.

Each civilization comes with its own unique unit pool with units that have different strengths, abilities and weaknesses. Some unit types are simply re-skinned for all the civilizations, but the variety in units offers different strategic ideas depending on which civilization the player is using. Light infantry units are generally weaker than heavy infantry units in hand-to-hand combat, and are very susceptible to arrow fire, but are the only units in the game that can act as builders. Heavy infantry units are strong in hand-to-hand combat and quite resistant to arrow fire, but generally much slower around the map, and cannot travel over watery terrain. Archer units are poor in hand-to-hand combat, especially against cavalry units, but can set fire to damage buildings and siege equipment. Spear units are generally competent in hand-to-hand combat, but are susceptible to heavier infantry units and arrow fire, and cannot travel in forests. Cavalry units are often quick, and can easily outmaneuver most troops, but they are frail, and most cavalry units cannot travel in forests.

There is also the presence of multiple types of terrain in the game. Forests can be used to hide infantry units, and to spring ambushes against troops out in the open. Watery terrain which prevents heavy infantry units from crossing. Grassy terrain which can be lit on fire, and can kill troops that cross the fire.

Members of an alliance may not attack one another. In times of crisis team members can call upon each other via the message line: "We need help." Allies will normally offer spare troops in assistance. 'Praetorians' differs from other games of its genre in that resources do not play a part in it. In most real time strategy games, items such as wood, food, gold, stone and glory must be collected, to be spent during the creation of troops. The only resource you need to recruit stronger soldiers are honour points. Honour points are earned by fighting and killing enemy troops. There are also troop control points and unit control points; The former will limit the amount of troops a player may have in their army, and the latter limits the amount of individual soldiers and army men that can be used.

GameSpot cites the difficulty of the zoom function and limits of the camera (For example, the camera is unable to turn 360 degrees.) as negative aspects of the game. However, GameSpot does praise 'Praetorians' for its gameplay and tactical depth, as well as its beautiful graphics. You also do not need resources, this is purely military. Game runs well on Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7 and Windows 8.

Campaign

After players have completed the 4 tutorial levels, there are 20 campaign missions. Hence, the first campaign mission is named Chapter 5. The 20 campaign missions are divided into 4 sections; each new section is preceded by a short film, giving the player an inclination of what the upcoming section is, mainly, about.

Section 1

Mission 1 (Chapter 5): Crossing the River Arar (58 BC) - The battle is a reenactment of the Battle of Arar Julius Caesar's legions must eliminate Helvetii presence on the map by capturing the two cities, Dubis and Pons. The main challenge awaiting players is crossing the river in the centre of the map, whilst dealing with the numerous detachments of enemy units. Divitiacus and Aeduii horsemen will also be separated from the main unit.

Mission 2 (Chapter 6): Escort to Bibracte (58 BC) - A reenactment of the Battle of Bibracte Caesar's legions, led by Titus Labienus and Publius Crassus, must cross from one side of the map to the other, whilst dealing with not only the forces of the Helvetii, but of their two allies, the Turingii and the Boii. The main objective of the battle is to escort the two centurions to Divitiacus.

Mission 3 (Chapter 7): Of All the Gallic Tribes (57 BC) - A reenactment of the Battle of Sabis and the only timed mission of the entire campaign. Players, controlling Caesar's 10th Legion, must survive the onslaught of Nervii troops long enough for the 9th Legion to attack the enemy villages with help from Dumnorix's cavalry.

Mission 4 (Chapter 8): Divide and Conquer (55 BC) - Caesar's legions start divided on the map, with Publius and the infantry forces on the north side, and Labienus and Divitiacus with the cavalry forces on the south side. The battle is Caesar's attempt to drive out the Tencteri and Usipetes from Menapii territory, and to prepare for future Germanic invasions.

Section 2

Mission 5 (Chapter 9): The Everlasting Frontier (55 BC) - The battle is a reenactment of Caesar's encounter with Suebi tribe. Caesar's legions must resist the onslaught of warriors from the Suebi Tribe crossing the river Rhine, and slow their attempts to build bridges across the river. They must then take the fight to the Germans, cross the river, and capture or destroy their settlement to prevent potential invasions through the Rhine. The allied cavalry of Dumnorix will desert the Romans if the units incur too many casualties.

Mission 6 (Chapter 10): A Land Lost in the Mist (55 BC) - A reenactment of Caesar's first invasion of Britain. Having landed on the shores of Britain, Caesar's legions must reach the fortress where their ambassador to the Britons, Commius, is being held prisoner. Players will have the option to enlist the support of the Atrebates tribe, Commius' homeland, to assist them in assaulting the fortress.

Mission 7 (Chapter 11): Greed (54 BC) - the first mission in the game to feature the Egyptian civilization, players take command of legions recruited by Marcus Licinius Crassus and try to take control of four specific cities: Tyre, Samaria, Jerusalem and Petra to acquire funds for the Parthian campaign. Players will have the option to enlist the support of either the Samarians or the Judaeans, but which ever faction the player chooses, they will see the other become enemies.

Mission 8 (Chapter 12): Fear the Eagles (54 BC) - A reenactment of Caesar's second invasion of Britain. Caesar's legions return to Britain and attempt to defeat Cassivellaunus, the Briton chieftain, whilst contending with three other British tribes: the Atrebates, the Cantiacum and the Trinovantes. Players will have the option to destroy each tribe's sacred altar, whereby they will declare themselves neutral and pose no threat thereafter, on condition that the player makes no other act of aggression against them.

Mission 9 (Chapter 13): Cold Treason (53 BC) - Caesar's legions attempt to hurry to save Quintus Tullius Cicero, general of the IX Legion, who is being besieged by Ambiorix's Eburones tribe, and their allies, the Treverii and the Nervii after the defeat of Sabinus and Cotta. Labienus must not only deal with most of the barbarians of the area, but also relieve the siege of Cicero's fortress.

Section 3

Mission 10 (Chapter 14): When All Hell Breaks Loose (53 BC) - A reenactment of the Battle of Carrhae. Crassus' army, on its campaign in Parthia, has been annihilated by the Parthian archers. Players, using Gaius Cassius Longinus, must attempt to regroup the shattered remnants of the army and safely deliver Crassus to the boats waiting to transport him to safety. By the mission's end, both Crassus and his son are killed in the conflict.

Mission 11 (Chapter 15): He Who Dares... (52 BC) - with Vercingetorix having roused the Gallic tribes to revolt from Roman rule, Caesar's legions must enter the land of the Avernii tribe to raze Verginetorix's home. Gobannitio if reached by Caesar's troops will ally himself with the Romans, and will convince his troops to fight the Avernii. Gaius Crastinus will also be in the area leading reinforcements.

Mission 12 (Chapter 16): Homecoming (52 BC) - having escaped from Carrhae in Mission 10, Gaius Cassius Longinus must lead the few forces left from Crassus' army to safety at Antioch, the Roman base of operations in Syria, and organize the province's defense. The player must contend with both the Nabatean Arabs, blocking their path, and the Parthians who have pursued the Romans since their defeat at Carrhae.

Mission 13 (Chapter 17): War of Attrition (52 BC) - Caesar's legions must escort grain exports to three local fortresses, protecting them all the way from Gallic guerrilla troops loyal to Vercingetorix. With each fortress the player reaches, they will be given fresh troops to assist them. Dumnorix will also appear with his own troops to attack the Romans.

Section 4

Mission 14 (Chatper 18): Alea Iacta Est (49 BC) - the first mission in the game to feature the player fighting Roman forces, Caesar's legions must cross the map take control of the three cities: Pisaurus, Fanum and Ancona. Each city is being beset by forces loyal to Pompey, and with each city saved, that city's local militia will join Caesar's army. The player will discover Caius Titus Rudus, the Roman general in command of the forces used by the player in the Tutorial missions and Mission 1, is now fighting against Caesar in the Civil War.

Mission 15 (Chapter 19): War Within the Mountains (49 BC) - A reinterpretation of the Battle of Ilerda, Caesar's legions, commanded by the player, and the local army that has stayed loyal to Caesar, must defend the mountain pass through the Pyrenees mountains from Pompey's allies in Spain. Both villages must be protected until the message of the enemy's defeat arrives. During the battle, two centurions will defect to the allied side, and must be escorted lest they be overwhelmed.

Mission 16 (Chapter 20): Let the Hunt Begin (48 BC) - having pursued Pompey across the Adriatic Sea, Caesar's legions must hold off the Pompeian forces assaulting their fortress, waiting for Mark Antony to arrive with reinforcements from the sea. When they arrive, the player must then battle through the Pompeian forces and escort them back to the fortress. The player is unable to recruit any cavalry in this mission, but has the option of delivering wagons of gold to a local Dacian city which, if the gold is delivered, will supplement Caesar's forces with cavalry.

Mission 17 (Chapter 21): The End of the Republic (48 BC) - after having defeated Pompey's army in open battle, Caesar's legions are marching to capture the Pompeian encampment within Greece after Pompey's flight to Egypt. The player must not only deal with the Pompeian forces on the map, but also with Thracian, Macedonian and Syrian mercenaries. The mercenaries can be coerced into joining the player's side if they are able to eliminate the faction's chieftain and healer.

Mission 18 (Chapter 22): The Battle for Alexandria (47 BC) - A reenactment of Ptolemy XIII's siege of the area. Having pursued Pompey to Egypt only to discover he was murdered by the local tribes, Caesar's troops have been besieged inside the palace of Alexandria. The Romans will initially be forced to protect the fortress against Egyptian and Roman units until a messenger arrives to alert them of the ships being targeted. Eventually, the mission will change to destroy the ships instead.

Mission 19 (Chapter 23): Friends and Allies (47 BC) - A reenactment of the Battle of the Nile (47 BC). Caesar's legions, together with Mithridates of Pergamum and Antipater of Judea, must take the fight to their Egyptian adversaries, destroying every enemy village whilst ensuring the survival of their allies to finally crush the civil war in Egypt.

Mission 20 (Chapter 24): Just One...More...Fight (45BC) - A reenactment of the Battle of Munda having defeated Pompey, Caesar's remaining forces pursue the Titus Labienus to encampment of Pompey's sons. The player has the option to recruit local Iberian, Mauritanian and Provincial mercenaries by destroying the tents belonging to the local chieftains. The player also has the option of enlisting the support of the milita of Osuna, a town just outside Labienus' encampment.

Multiplayer Online

Originally, the game was designed to be played online in Multiplayer mode using GameSpy. The original installer of the game includes instructions and gives the possibility to install GameSpy Arcade. However, GameSpy Arcade no longer offers support for Praetorians game, since they have closed many servers. So the current players of the game are using Game Ranger to play online in Multiplayer mode. Game Ranger is an easy multiplayer game client that allows players to have multiplayers battle with up to 8 players in the same game room.

Marketing

The game continued to sell well even into 2008, maintaining a place in the top 20 Budget PC titles on ChartTrack.

Development

After the Pyro Studios producer of the title Javier Arévalo and Eidos' Jason Walker talked about sorting out a flaw in the multi-player game that was being exploited by gamers, an unofficial patch was released in October 2004. This helped catapult the game back up the GameSpy Arena charts.

The latest version of an unofficial extension, called MoD 4.1, became available 2004; it adds three new factions and many new maps. MoD 4.1 contains the unofficial patch to fix the multi-player game.

The next official extension is called MoD 5.0 released in 2013 by Pyro Studios. It sorted out a number of flaws, decreased the hit points of some troops, updated the start screen of the game, added brand new music and sounds, presented 40 new maps for battles.

In 2008 an unofficial map editor for the PC game Praetorians comes up. The map editor is programmed in the C++ programming language and uses the OpenGL computer graphics API. Nowadays over 100 maps for battles are available.

GameSpy is no longer supported. Hamachi and GameRanger still work for multiplayer matches with router.

Reception

Reception of Praetorians was positive. GamePro noted that the game is "a healthy mixture of Medieval: Total War and WarCraft".

References

External links

• Praetorians at MobyGames
• MoD Imperial 4.1 by Eidos, adds three additional nations to the game mirror
• MoD Imperial 5.0 adds more maps and nations mirror
• MapEditor (OpenSource)
• LiveTime Multiplayer Sequence Share Space
• Praetorians Mods Complex
• How to play Praetorians multiplayer online - Tutorial