14 DAY TRIAL // Andrei Dumitrescu: Last week, I failed to play games for even one hour as I spent time with my friends, read some books I had been meaning to finish and watched more Spartacus than should be legally allowed in a 48-hour period.
My interest in the series is, of course, linked to Total War: Rome II, the game that’s currently occupying most of my gaming time.
The Creative Assembly has delivered a third major patch for the strategy game that further improves performance on my machine and I have abandoned my long-running Macedon campaign.
The main reason was a big loss in a naval battle, which was totally unjustified by the composition of my forces and the tactics I used.
I have started a new long-term game with the Romans, even if I don’t like them as a faction very much, because they seem to have a very varied experience and I want to see exactly how the Civil War between the major families plays out.
The tactical battles in Rome II are more interesting after a few patches and I no longer simulate even the smallest engagements because I enjoy fighting so much, especially when I manage to surprise an enemy force and launch an ambush.
When conquering Gaul (I seek to emulate Caesar himself) and trampling over gladiator rebels is too much for me, I plan to turn to Crusader Kings II, a title I have neglected in the last few months.
I will once more install the Game of Thrones mod, which has recently received a new set of features, in order to try once more to dominate Westeros as the Stark family.
I might also try to do the same using the Targaryens and their unique mechanics.
Andrei Dobra is currently on a well-deserved holiday, whereabouts and gaming options unknown.