Even the most optimistic admirers of city building simulators could not imagine how wonderful would become 2006 for them. When we get a lot of shooters of RPGs during one year that is normal but when the same happens with city building strategies this is… at least, extremely unusual. And the climax of this Bacchanalia of strategies was appearance of Caesar IV that immediately became a bestseller. This is indisputably the best game of this genre. So let us fete the winner – Ave, Caesar!
Vox audita latet, littera scripta manet
It took four long years to develop the fourth part of one of the most popular city building strategies. Up to 2006 admirers of Caesar did not even hope that it would be released. It is easily understandable if remember that Impression Games team which created previous three parts ceased to exist. And even the fact that all the developers gathered in Tilted Mill did not ensure fans that Caesar IV would be created. The first game of new crew was called Immortal Cities: Children of the Nile but it disappointed admirers of Caesar because it was devoted to Ancient Egypt not Rome. Alternate way? Maybe, but they wanted another thing.
So when Caesar IV was finally announced it was like a fresh jolt because they were no real rivals of previous part since its appearance in 1998. Crisis of genre? I do not know and actually do not want to think it over as the lech box is on my desk. And I consider that daily routine will be ignored for a couple of days. Alea jacta est. So it’s too late to retreat…
Bene Qui Latuit, Bene Vixit
Our global aims in Caesar IV are the same as they were in the previous parts: to wriggle into supreme ruler’s favor and to become an emperor. And as all the ways for that are appropriate you will have to occupy with care about population of your city, planning of new buildings and different financial affairs. Caught citizen with unsatisfied impression of face? Take measures, mister city administrator, because it is very important to know what your people want from you.
Have you built The Coliseum?
Rich men quit your city? Look carefully – why a pigsty was built near a villa of that patrician? You will always have a lot of things to do in this game so you will never feel bored. The main feature of Caesar IV is its complete three-dimensionality. And you may do everything with all three dimensions. For example, you may make a pause and admire wonderful landscapes turning your camera in all the angles. But first you will have to settle appropriate settings not to turn the game into slide-show. After that you may enjoy its amazing graphic. Smooth change of days and nights, pastoral landscapes, wonderful image of prosperous city will make process of playing much more exciting.
All the great deeds start with small ones. So first you will have to satisfy needments of population of your city. And, by the way, actions of ordinary citizens in Caesar IV became more sensible – if you take a look at them you notice that their way of doing is not as primitive as it was in previous parts of series. Of course, it does not resemble “oblivionlike” radiant-AI, but still. For example, a rich man whose house will be surrounded by potteries and smithery, will take his things and quit your city seeking warmlier welcoming one. Ordinary citizens will go out from their huts only after building of water supply system. And it will not be very easy to win everybody’s favor – especially if remember that you will have many other problems. Some new processor chains were developed with appearance of new resources.
As usual, the most important factor of prosperity of your city is mutual alignment of buildings. For example, if a potter has to pass all the city to sell his production and then make even longer trip to reach his house he does not have enough time to have a good rest so labor productivity decreases, city lacks necessary goods and gradually stagnation of economy begins. Developers’ idea – to enable getting information about current economic and social situation in your city from ordinary citizens was well forethought but poorly implemented. So it is better to get it as you did it earlier – using windows of statistics and ask for opinion of one of our counselor. Yes, they still exist and even sometimes give reasonable advice.
