Rome: Total War Barbarian Invasion is a great expansion to the original, same great...... everything but new factions.
Game play- The game play is very fun. The turn based part is awesome. This is where you move your armies and navy’s around the map, construct new buildings in your cities, train new units, use your spies to spy on your rivals, use your assassins to kill enemy generals or sabotage important buildings in their settlements and use diplomats to make alliances, get trade rights, get map info, persuade to get money or even bribe other characters to join you empire. On the other hand in the real time part is where you lead your solders into battle and try to cripple you enemies. Some units have special attacks or formations, for example archers, ballista’s and onagers can use flaming missiles and some units can make a shield wall. Your general can rally broken and routing units. His unit is very power full, one charge with his unit of cavalry can change the outcome of the battle.
New stuff- There are almost none of the same units from the original game, but that is a good thing because I think the new units are more useful that the old ones. Also Now some units can swim across rivers but don't try to order them to swim if their exhausted because they will drown and if to many die they will rout and leave the battle field. Next some of the barbarian factions can become hordes after they lose their last settlement. A horde is when a whole factions population gets up and moves. While your a horde the men of your population become solders, but you don't have to pay them to fight. Also if your a horde if you capture a settlement you can chose to settle down in it or sack it. When you sack a settlement you pretty much destroy it and take any thing of value. The last new thing (which is my favorite) is night battles. You can only have a night battle if your general has a special trait, but if he does and your enemy doesn't it can change you chances of wining dramatically.
GRAPHICS- The graphics are still mediocre, but the great game play makes up for them.
This game is one of the best strategy games of all time. If your a fan of the Total War series or a beginner you will definitely have a load of fun playing this game. YOU MUST HAVE THE ORIGINAL ROME: TOTAL WAR TO BE ABLE TO PLAY THIS ONE.