That’s right, true believers: This is the latest release from those tactical madmen that brought us Europa Universalis. This time, they have transported us back to the heady days of Caesar with Legion. You are the local military leader sent to deal with the savages in Germania. It is up to you to bring Roman civilization and cultural to the barbarians or smite the tar out of them until they acknowledge your greatness.

Legion tasks you to administer your towns’ resources, build armies and manage alliances with the surrounding heathen tribes. The game offers a solid resource economy to work with, a variety of options on town construction and 20 opponents to overcome. Legion works smoothly and the turn-based system helps in managing your territory. The playing area is vast and play options are plentiful. This beta release makes me very hopeful for the game’s scheduled June release.

With the understanding that this is still a beta version, there are several improvements that one hopes are incorporated into the final product.

First, some resources are not available in certain towns. If these resources are not made available at all, there should be a way to set up a trade route between towns to balance resources among them. The Romans always had a keen understanding of this, so the game needs to represent this since resources are critically essential.

Second, the combat engine needs some improvements. The initial setup is fantastic, but quickly loses its appeal as combat begins. As the commander, you arrange your units into different formations and initial engagement instructions. Once the combat begins the units move into skirmishes and you lose any further control. You must passively sit back as your units are routed from the field or attack lesser targets. Incorporating something more effective like the system used in Shogun: Total War would greatly improve the enjoyment of the battlefield situations. At the least a quick resolution function should be employed to remove the tedium of sitting through a battle you have no direction over.

Additionally, as part of the initial setup, the enemy forces are never represented at their proper strength, which is always much greater. Once you see the immense size of their force there is also no option to retreat. You’re left with a completely helpless feeling on the field of battle. Another thing to consider is that the Roman legions and cavalry should be far more effective in combat than any other forces on the field, yet they are routed as quickly as any other units. Again borrowing from Shogun: Total War, unit effectiveness and weighing would be well placed here.

Even with these shortcomings the beta release offers a great deal of potential, bringing a much needed turn-based strategy game to the market besides the basic military campaign sim. With its blend of economic juggling, city building, and diplomacy Legion expands on the turn-based strategy game. "Vini, vidi, vici."