"Grand" indeed.
This and "Civcity: Rome" are the only citybuild games I have. I've seen the numerous predecessors to this game (Glory, Imperium Rom, etc) and if this is just another re-hash well so be it, they did a fine job on this version.
Zoom in on your citizens, go to ground level to look at a fountain u placed or if u choose observe from above like some latter day Jupiter. That is one aspect I love about any PC or console game: how is the camera control? If it sux then the game is shyte to me but if they get it right, loads of fun will be had. This game gets that right.
Your public buildings, arenas, barracks, monuments, and many other things are all here to be put into the city you choose to build. They look sharp and brisk whenever u zoom in (PC allowing) and the people look great and not one was a clone of another! Well maybe I'll see more clones later on.
Militarily does quite well, don't expect "Rome:Total War" level but it does keep u satisfied to a degree. The one thing this game has that RTW does not is naval warfare. In this game u can build your fleet as u like and u actually see the ships closeup. I have yet to do any battles or campaign so if naval warfare here is a wash, well then I will find out. Right now, I am impressed to watch my ships take from their shipyard and move across the water.
Land warfare is pretty meh, but what can u expect? At least it is tons better than alot of other roman warfare games I have seen, excluding RTW of course, which is not unlike a god to me!
Pick this one up, better to get it online for $4.00 or something, have fun!