WARDOGS
WARDOGS
Game
Game2019
Imperator: Rome
Developer Paradox Development Studio
Imperator: Rome is a 2019 grand strategy wargame developed by Paradox Development Studio and published by Paradox Interactive. It is a spiritual successor to Europa Universalis: Rome (2008). It received generally positive reviews from critics, however development and support for the game was suspended by May 2021, though occasional patches are still released. From Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
330 reactions from 4 sources (Steam reviews, Bluesky, Lemmy, Mastodon) · newest Nov 2, 2026 · last updated Nov 5, 2026 · How this works
Audience score
76
LovedLoved
186 positive · 58 negative
95% range 71–81%
| Source | + | − | = |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steam reviews | 186 | 58 | 0 |
| Bluesky * | 22 | 4 | 55 |
| Lemmy * | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Mastodon * | 1 | 0 | 1 |
* shown, not counted in the score (label accuracy below our 85% bar or not yet audited).
Steam's own rating
Mixed
11,217 of 16,627 reviews positive (all languages, per Valve)
What players are saying
78% recommend · 175 yes, 50 no
Counted from the reviewers’ own thumbs up/down on the 225 English Steam reviews we collected, not by the AI. Valve’s all-language rating: Mixed (17,611 of 26,894 positive).
Many reviewers lament that Paradox abandoned the game after a rough launch. [1][2][3] Some players find the learning curve steep but rewarding for ancient history fans. [4][5][6]
Liked
Representative posts
- [12]
Nothing makes me sad quite like Imperator: Rome does. This is the game that made me refuse to ever pre-order a Paradox game again. I tried the game on release, didn't like it for a myriad of reasons that the old reviews of this game go into, and then let it sit forgotten in my library for years. I recently decided to pick the game up again after watching some youtube videos on how good the game is now, and to 100% …
- [7]
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 …
- [11]
Been playing this game quite a bit to the point I was mumbling in my sleep one night and my wife asked me what was wrong and I answered "Carthage must be destroyed!" Don't be fooled by the steam review score, unfortunately most of them are before the gameplay overhaul that really made the game more dynamic. Personally I have been enjoying it a lot and love the flavor in the gameplay. Having played most of the …
- [1]
The best part about this game is that paradox abandoned it, so you don't have to worry about DLCs.
- [2]
Genuinely depressing this was abandoned by Paradox. It had a rough launch but was fixed, mostly just lacking flavour. They abandoned it the moment the game became good. If you're playing now, I recommend playing with Invictus mod. It adds a lot of flavour to different areas of the map. Something about the way you slowly expand in this game and build up your settlements, urbanizing certain areas and extracting …
Summarised from 34 of the 295 public posts collected about this game; every point cites the posts behind it ([n] opens the post) and the split is counted from the posts’ own ratings. Updated Oct 11, 2026. How summaries are made
RottenBot@rottenbot · automated account
Players who liked Imperator: Rome talk about excellent with the Invictus mod, adding depth and flavor; those who didn't talk about abandoned by Paradox after a catastrophic launch. Which matters more to you?
Critics, per Wikipedia
The game received "generally favorable reviews", according to review aggregator Metacritic. IGN praised the game for its depth, "the amount of detailed, strategic stuff crammed into Imperator: Rome is equal parts impressive and daunting", while criticizing the game's user interface and tribal nations. The review also praised the game's political system, writing that the political warfare between people within nations is "a great driver of character interaction". PC Gamer described the game as "uniting systems from the most recent games" while still being "more cohesive than a 'greatest hits' compilation". Despite lower user ratings than they expected, the game's sales surpassed Paradox's…
From the “Reception” section of Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Critic context only — not part of the audience score.
Reactions
60 of 330 · most liked firstIn case you missed it on the blog (I forgot to shout it out) - last week was the final part of our discuss of Paradox Interactive's ancient grand strategy game Imperator. To close out, we looked at how Imperator simulates the collapse of the Roman Republic. acoup.blog/2024/08/31/c...
neutral · AI labelView post →This week on the blog: Imperator: Rome, at last! We're starting our look at Paradox Interactive's ancient grand strategy game set during the rise and collapse of the Roman Republic by looking at how it presents the army structure and diplomacy of the era. acoup.blog/2024/07/19/c...
neutral · AI labelView post →I just want Livy-loving Roman historians who don’t play video games to know that a video game, Imperator: Rome, actually has a devotio mechanic where the player can sacrifice their faction leader for boons.
positive · AI labelView post →After playing Europa Universalis V today, I admit that Imperator: Rome is a good game.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →The best part about this game is that paradox abandoned it, so you don't have to worry about DLCs.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →This week on the blog: More Imperator! We continue our look at @PdxInteractive's ancient grand strategy game by discussing what the game thinks of the rise of cities during the Hellenistic period - why were cities built and who were they for? acoup.blog/2024/08/09/c...
neutral · AI labelView post →Nothing makes me sad quite like Imperator: Rome does. This is the game that made me refuse to ever pre-order a Paradox game again. I tried the game on release, didn't like it for a myriad of reasons that the old reviews of this game go into, and then let it sit forgotten in my library for years. I recently decided to pick the game up again after watching some youtube videos on how good the game is now, and to 100% it so I can file it away as completed. This game has good bones, great bones…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →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…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →This was the first poorly received grand strategy game they made and it's miles better than EU5 or CK3. It didn't deserve the community hate nor the discontinuation.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Greedy and very Swedish Pardox has taken money and when sales dropped they abandon whole game before it was even near ready. Very nice isn´t it?
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I will not be buying another game or dlc from paradox. I loved this game. Then they abandoned it. I've sat on this review for a while hoping against reason they'd come back, give it the same time effort and love as Stellaris, Europa universalis 4 and Crusader Kings 2. For a short time it looked like they were. However, internally something must have changed priority wise. The game was left on the shelf while they recreate games they've already made, mastered, and more importantly grossly…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →This game is absolutely incredible. It has a steep (very steep) learning curve in comparsion to games like Civilization or Total War, but it's absolutely worth it. If you are a fan of the time period, this game was basically designed for you and you MUST get it. Worth mentioing that I only played with the Invictus mod (never tried vanilla), so the experience might be different without it.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →It's a map painter with little strategy and minimal depth to gameplay, however it is centered around a very interesting period of Western history which keeps me spending my time on the game rather than spending more money for another. Game mechanics handcuff the player so that certain aspects of core gameplay become tedious, demanding periods of "point accumulation" before the best fun of the game can begin again. Would you like to invade Egypt? Better save up "political influence" points…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Been playing this game quite a bit to the point I was mumbling in my sleep one night and my wife asked me what was wrong and I answered "Carthage must be destroyed!" Don't be fooled by the steam review score, unfortunately most of them are before the gameplay overhaul that really made the game more dynamic. Personally I have been enjoying it a lot and love the flavor in the gameplay. Having played most of the paradox interactive's library I think this and stellaris are probably the most…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Imperator Rome. It still had a ways to go, but if I could wave a magic wand and give any game that got a full release and then was later abandoned a few more years of dedicated support, it would be that one.
positive · AI labelView post →This is a genuinely good game, it is such a shame that it has been abandoned. The only thing holding this game back for me is the lack of autosaves, one is never enough in a paradox game. Sadly, after years this game has never been provided more than a single autosave slot, and even the modding community hasn't been able to fix this. In good conscience, I can't recommend this game to anyone who doesn't enjoy Ironman mode.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Genuinely depressing this was abandoned by Paradox. It had a rough launch but was fixed, mostly just lacking flavour. They abandoned it the moment the game became good. If you're playing now, I recommend playing with Invictus mod. It adds a lot of flavour to different areas of the map. Something about the way you slowly expand in this game and build up your settlements, urbanizing certain areas and extracting resources feels so satisfying to me
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →“Don’t let a win get to your head or a loss to your heart.” A coworker said that to a bunch of us 20 years ago, almost to the day, when I first experienced the cancellation of a game I’d worked on (Imperator). It’s a @chuckdpe.bsky.social line, but we let it slide because we needed to hear it.
neutral · AI labelView post →Underrated as heck, with the Invictus Mod (basically what if Paradox didn't abandon this game) this game is absolutely amazing.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →The latest negative reviews leave me buffled!! You are seriously complaining that Paradox took some great mods and incorporated mechanics from them into the main game? Making a mod on a game doesn't give you artistic licence over the game. Also the other guy complaining about Roman genocide! I mean has the world gone completely coo-coo? This is one of the best Paradox Grand-strategy games out there, that with mods may be their best. For me personally it's much easier to spend 6-hours…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Imperator Rome is an incredible game—personally, I consider it the best title Paradox has ever released. It’s ambitious, rich in detail, and offers a depth you won’t find in any other strategy game. I truly hope Paradox continues supporting it, because its potential is enormous. Pairing it with the Invictus mod elevates the experience even further. The expanded missions, added flavor, improved mechanics, and overall polish make the game feel even more ambitious and alive. Yes, Imperator can…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →It's a really neat game. It's just too bad that it was released too early and fixed too late otherwise this game would have a big cult following.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Incredible game now after the 2.0 update and with the "Invictus" community mod which basically functions as the unofficial 3.0 update and vanilla+ extension/flavour update. The game combines some of the most interesting mechanics from other Paradox games such as distinct government types, mission trees, courtyard and character interaction as well as population types/social classes from Europa Universalis, Crusader Kings and the Victoria series respectively.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →A criminally underrated game - paradox really should just hire the Invictus Mod team to run the development of the game at this point.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →If you enjoy in depth combat, this one is for you. Also, cheapest paradox game, you don’t need to spend 250$ to get all the features. This one has very enjoyable combat, economy management and I really enjoy the different ways you build your nation. And one last suggestion, highly recommend playing with Invictus mod. This is one of my favourite paradox games, it’s a bit tough to get into, it has very unique features compared to other paradox games, but it’s totally worth the learning curve.…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Great game too bad paradox left this one on the shelf But the invictus mod does a great job in making this 7/10 game into a 9/10 if you're gonna play it give this mod a try
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Very good game, simple to understand but infinitely complex with a world that changes every time. I didn't get why people were so mad when paradox stopped development of the game till I actually played it. The 2.0 update was the bedrock for an amazing game, way better systems then ck3 has currently, if they were just expanded on and fully fleshed out genuinely could have become a stand out paradox game, so unbelievably disappointing. For the price and the fact that it doesn't have a lot of DLC…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Shame.. Shame! Shame on you PARADOX for making this game and then just.. blahh.. leaving it like a poop from a poop chute! Just there. I got over 1700h in CK3 and another in CK2 and also some hours in EU4 and specially CK3 has a special place in my heart for taking it and making me enjoy everything about it! It is downright perfect, except for the so updates that come everyother day and ruin your save game! But i can get over that! But you Imperator Rome! You made me lost my money and really…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Its fun but abandoned due to a catastrophic launch.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →A lifetime of military training places General Oshi as the greatest military leader in Ukyo, where he has devoted his life to the protection of the Celestial Imperator. General Oshi, for Sudden Conflict Game: Ukyo, soon to launch their Kickstsarter campaign!
neutral · AI labelView post →Honestly it's just really boring. Most of the mechanics are not engaging. I love Paradox grand strategy games and play most of them regularly and despite my interest in this period of history this one just isn't interesting. Trade? Boring. Warfare? Boring. Settlement development? Boring. Politics? Boring. I put a lot of hours into this trying to enjoy it and I just couldn't.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I am shocked at how great this game is because paradox abandoned it. I can only imagine how great the dlcs would have been if this game got a 10 year support like all other paradox games. However, As a base game with only a couple of flavour packs its still a great game. i recommend it, especially if you have an interest in the roman empire or the classical period. Please Paradox, revive this game.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Paradox game series, explained: Imperator = Rome fanbois Stellaris = Star Trek fanbois Europa Universalis = Napoleon fanbois Hearts of Iron = WWII fanbois Cities: Skylines = Traffic circle fanbois Victoria = Diplomacy fanbois Crusader Kings =Generational Inbreeding fanbois
neutral · AI labelView post →The Operation Imperator book will only be in the boxed game? ... Fuck...
neutral · AI labelView post →It is possibly one of Paradox's WORST games. It has great potential, but it becomes frustrating how many things happen at the same time and how many pop-ups keep appearing, especially during wars. They tried to make a mix between Crusader Kings 2 and Europa Universalis 4, and it feels like they managed to take the worst of both worlds.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I've played more or less all the paradox titles since Europa Universalis (the first one). I skipped this one when it came out for some reason. Tried it for the first time last week and it lines up as super worth playing. I like the army/levy system. The historical setting is fun. I like that there are characters who have agendas, but toned down, all the dirty underwear in CK3 gets a bit tedious after a while. The mechanics are very well made and all make sense to me. Much of it somehow seems…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Inauguration Day... In Star Citizen? Did you know Star Citizen players voted for Imperator Laylani Addison in 2950? UEE citizens vote every 10 years. Imagine in-game events with city ads, voting booths, and real consequences like altering armistice rules. What if elections happened every 2 years?
neutral · AI labelView post →Devs gave up too quick, its a gem of a game after the 2.0 especially with Invictus or Terra Indomita
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →they advertised the ♥♥♥♥ out of this game with the promise of adding content and fixing it, then they cancelled all support as soon as people bought it lol
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Ever since I installed Invictus mod I just cannot stop playing this game. There is something very satisfying in helping a tribe to become a monarchy...
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →tldr the more u learn how to actually play the game the more fun it is watch yt vids if u need to its worth it
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Very niche game Very complicated and obscure gameplay, fan of the roman era will be pleased. It is well done but the learning curve is very long and very steep, be advised. Can be very fun, rewarding and addictive when learned (partially) Edit: There is a lot of good tutorial online about these paradox grand strategy games. Modding community is awesome
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Facebook has reminded me that six years ago I was in Bath for a press preview hands-on for Imperator: Rome, a game that I have a lot of affection for. We don't a lot of on-site hands-on for media now - digital events have proven very effective and low cost. It was good fun though.
positive · AI labelView post →The Clockwork Cuttery threat by Alexi Sargeant is unlocked!! :D :D :D Next stretch goal is Gesod, the High Imperator of Venus! Turn your The Between game into sci-fi fantasy pulp :D (and a new stretch goal will be announced soon!! So excited!) www.backerkit.com/c/projects/t...
neutral · AI labelView post →i think one of the things i would do if i randomly had millions of dollars is get @bretdevereaux.bsky.social to direct a video game (brought to you by his EXCELLENT sequence on Imperator - he brings a depth of understanding of both history AND game design / what makes things Fun to all of these)
neutral · AI labelView post →Lenore, Noble of Ink We are doing a short little modified game of Nobilis, and I had sooo much fun designing my Noble, Lenore. She controls the domain of Ink, and her Imperator is Human Expression! #art #ttrpg #ttrpgart #nobilis #characterdesign #bskyart
neutral · AI labelView post →Good game, not worth the price as it has been effectively abandoned by the devs. With the Invictus mod you will have fun on this game, but I recommend buying it on G2A, third party or during a major sale.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Finished my first Imperator game (though weirdly the end of game screen never appeared?). Formed a hellenic scythian kingdom and am in the top 10 world powers. Not bad! Check out my tributaries and my roads.
positive · AI labelView post →I played this game a long time ago and only now finally decided to buy it — though I wouldn’t say Paradox really deserves my money for it. They created a fantastic skeleton, but it only truly gained flesh thanks to the Imperator: Invictus mod, which I strongly recommend to everyone who tries this game for the first time. Unfortunately, on its own this is one of Paradox’s weakest titles. Still, thanks — with the right set of mods it shines brighter than EU4 and comes just slightly short of HOI4.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →They’re milking the hell out of players with these DLCs. Without them, the game feels empty, bland, and honestly boring as ♥♥♥♥. It’s like they stripped out all the fun stuff just to sell it back to you piece by piece.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I have a ton of hours in Paradox games, and it took me a minute to get into this. Now after a few hundred hours, I'd call this my favourite. I love Roman history and this game, when modded out is an absolute banger. Beautiful map, not too dense system wise. A big thanks to the modding community for holding this game down.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →This game is the closest to EU4 out of all paradox games I’ve played. Everything revolves around map painting, and the rest you do just enough (and not an inch more) to facilitate it. Assign officials (1st one from the list), click options that are more green than red, select the omen that is for peace or for war, delete newly conquered forts to sustain economy, lower maintenance in peace time, research inventions equally across the board, click accept all trade and that’s it. Aesthetically is…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Good game, too bad it got abandoned. Their DLC policy sucks though, so maybe it's for the best.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Without mods, a solid and (because it's done development) broadly complete game, if lacking in some flavor. With mods? Genuinely one of the richest strategy experiences around. And the art/map/UI is just gorgeous; kudos to the devs for nailing the scale, mystique, and mood of the classical era
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →LOL. Although you know a clever trick would be to set an 'Imperator II' during c. 400-700 AD period. An interesting challenge in building a grand strategy game about fragmentation and survival rather than consolidation and expansion.
neutral · AI labelView post →The game progresses very slowly and is really boring.....
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Most is Slay the Spire, and I don't even think it's close. And I say that having bought it twice, once on Steam and once on mobile. Least, I'm tempted to day League of Legends or Overwatch, both of which I bought extra cosmetic stuff for and neither of which I play anymore - and I'm not sure I even liked either of them much when I was playing. But not knowing (and not wanting to know) how much money I've spent on either, I'll instead say either Imperator: Rome or Victoria III. I preordered…
neutral · AI labelView post →Sensitive young man simulator. 10/10 with the Imperator Invictus mod.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →When this game came out I thought my dreams came true. A strategy game about Rome's rise, Alexander's empire and ancient Greece?! What could be better! But of-course the launch was bouched and now people disregard this game as a failure, which(atleast in my eyes) it isn't. After 2.0 and the incredible Invictus mod this game is still kicking and hard. If you haven't tried it, do it and if you have tried it before, try it again, it is worth it!
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →If Canada purchases Swedish jets, we should insist that we get to choose the next Paradox Grand Strategy game, and it will be Imperator Rome 2
neutral · AI labelView post →
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